How To Shine Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves? Three Effective Methods

Fiddle leaf fig leaves look stunning, but the big size makes it easier for them to get dirty. So how to shine fiddle leaf fig leaves to bring them back their beauty? Thankfully, there are several ways to do it. We will explain each method in detail for you to apply to your plants easily. Now, let’s follow our lead and let the leaves shine!

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How To Shine Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves?

You can polish your fiddle leaf fig leaves by wiping them with a cloth, spraying them with a garden hose, or letting them take a shower.

Wipe the leaves

Wiping fiddle leaf fig leaves with a soft cloth is the simplest way to clean them. All you need for this method is a cloth and care.

If the leaves are too dirty, add some water too. It would be best to use a spray bottle because you can easily control how much water to apply.

To clean the plant’s leaves using a cloth, you can lightly mist them with water. Then, you can remove any grime, dirt, and dust that has built up on the surface.

Try not to be rough on the leaves. Instead, take this task slowly, although you may get bored with it. Yet, your plant needs a lot of care.

Clean with a hose

A garden hose can do an excellent job of cleaning your plant. There are two things to bear in mind for this method:

Bring the plant outside
Set a moderate setting on the hose

So, how to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves with a hose? After thoroughly washing your plant, leave it outside for a few hours to allow it to dry naturally and entirely. Be careful not to expose it to too hot and too long direct sunlight.

This method mimics rain, which is something a plant would usually experience. You can consider it as watering because the soil gets wet too.

Remember that fiddle leaf fig plants can get quite big. So how can you move them outside? A wheeled base for the plant container can help you deal with the problem.

Purchase a hose with more specific settings if possible. Regular garden hoses are fine because they often have settings that let you mist items.

Additionally, you can buy special heads and attachments for the hose. It would be simple to purchase the tools you need if you don’t already have them.

Further reading:

A garden hose can be helpful

Shower the fig

Like us, plants may need showering. Hence, you can use shower sprayers to clean big fiddle leaf fig plants with tough dirt and dust buildup.

Here is how to clean a fiddle leaf fig by showering:

Put your plant in the shower.
Choose a lukewarm water setting. Your plant will experience stress and shock if the water is too cold or too hot.
Spray water all over the leaves. You can turn them over to wash them thoroughly.
Let the plant drip dry.
Empty the plant pot into the drip basin or the saucer to drain the excess water. This step avoids your plant becoming overwatered.
Put the plant back to its location.

This method has the same idea as using a garden hose. The difference is that you can control the water temperature with a shower hose, which does the trick.

If you choose this procedure to clean the leaves, it might be best to do it right before you water them.

An important note: If your house has a water softener, you shouldn’t use this method. Salt is a constituent in water softeners, which might harm the plant.

The water should be warm

How Often Should You Clean the Leaves?

It’s hard to give an exact answer to this question. As a general rule, you need to clean the plant when it gets dirty and needs cleaning.

Some plants require a more frequent cleaning routine because of the external elements. When the environment is full of dust, like the one near the road, dirt accumulates on the leaves faster.

Many plant owners choose to clean their plants whenever they water. This rule helps avoid the problems of overwatering.

You can water and clean the plant at the same time

There are two tips for watering fiddle leaf fig leaves correctly:

Stick to a consistent schedule

Generally, you need to water these plants every seven to ten days. Hence, you can set a weekly watering schedule.

Check the soil

You can check the soil condition to determine whether it’s time to water.

If you touch the top two inches and feel the moisture, the wet soil won’t need watering.

Only dry soil requires more moisture. If you give wet soil water, there will be risks of overwatering and root rot. On the other hand, underwatering may lead to curling.

The last thing to note is that you won’t need to water your plant every time you clean it. However, cleaning without the soil and the plant getting wet is tricky.

Hence, it’s normal to clean and water your plant simultaneously.

This video will show you how to water the plant properly:

What To Clean Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves?

After choosing the best way to clean fiddle fig leaves, you need to pick the right cleaning product. Household cleaning stuff or special cleaning products will suffice.

Duster

A feather duster performs well when working with light dust layers. You can simply blow the dust away with a puff of air.

Dish soap

You can use distilled water or mix water with dish soap to form a cleaning solution. Then, soak a soft cloth in the solution and clean the leaves.

Cleaning solution

Some specific liquids can polish the fiddle leaf figs. These products are widely accessible in your local store.

Choose the right solution to apply on your plant

Do’s And Don’ts Of Shining Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves

To polish fiddle leaf fig leaves, you need to follow these simple rules. We will divide them into do’s and don’ts so that you can check them easier.

Do’s:

Ensure your plant receives the proper nutrients and water levels to promote the growth of healthy leaves.
Choose the right fertilizers for your plant.
Give your plant the right amount of humidity to keep the leaves glossy and that gorgeous vibrant green hue.
Use a high-quality leaf shine product to give your leaves a healthy shine, shield them from dust, and keep pests away.
Your fiddle leaf figs should receive indirect light for six to eight hours per day.
Keep an eye on the leaves and clean them anytime you see dust accumulation.

Don’ts:

Do not use chemical cleaners or detergents. Otherwise, the leaves will get burned or damaged.
Avoid using products like wax or mayonnaise as they may clog the pores.
Washing the leaves with too hot or too cold water will kill them.
Do not apply too much pressure while cleaning the plant under the shower.

There are somethings to do and not to do with the plant

How To Remove Water Spots On Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves?

Splotchy skin water spots on the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig may result from watering it with harsh water. You can remove the spots and keep your plant look good by following these steps:

Mix warm water with lemon juice and stir the mixture thoroughly.
Fill a soft cloth or cotton ball with the lemon-water mixture.
Use the wet cotton ball to scrub the water spots off the leaves softly. Due to its acidic character, lemon juice can neutralize the hard water stains, leaving the leaves spotless.
Finally, use distilled water to rinse the leaves.
You can avoid water spots in the future by only applying rainwater, distilled, or bottled water to your plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use coconut oil to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?

Some people clean or polish their fiddle leaf figs using soft cloth and coconut oil.

This method works, but it risks clogging the leaf’s pores and preventing it from breathing properly.

Instead, you can make the leaves shiny by mixing coconut oil and water. Then, spray the mixture to leave your plant. Try not to let the mixture flow on the underside of the leaf.

2. Can I use milk to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?

Many gardeners say that mixing water with milk in a spray bottle and using it to clean the fiddle leaf fig plants works a treat.

If you want to try it, start with one or two leaves and check the status of the leaves for one first week.

However, please note that the University Libraries (UNT) advise against applying milk to polish or clean potted plant foliage.

It’s advisable to be cautious when spot checking the milk on the leaves before cleaning or polishing other leaves.

Even while it might be okay, it is always best to be safe than sorry, particularly since no one wants to struggle with a fiddle leaf fig that is shedding leaves.

3. Why should I clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?

Your plants’ leaves may become dull and ugly due to dust accumulation.

Additionally, the leaves find it more difficult to perform photosynthesis and receive solar energy efficiently.

So, build the habit of frequently scrubbing the leaves to avoid dust buildup. Your care will keep your plant healthy and maintain its beautiful looks.

4. What if I accidentally scrubbed the leaves too roughly?

Scrubbing the plant too roughly may kill them. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to repair it. Pause for a moment and attempt to be more careful if you realize that you have hurt the leaf.

Rather than wiping forcefully, try scrubbing softly. You are more likely to commit such mistakes if you lack patience.

Conclusion

We have shared with you a complete guide for how to make fiddle leaf fig leaves shiny. No matter which method you choose, try to treat the leaves gently.

While cleaning fiddle leaf fig leaves is essential, do not forget other factors for a healthy plant, such as sunlight, humidity, watering, and fertilization.

Hopefully, our guide can help with your gardening. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!

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