How does the fiddle-leaf fig survive the winter? Can it survive the winter outdoors in the south?

1. How to spend the winter

1. Pay attention to cold protection: Fiddle-leaf fig is a plant that grows in the south. It likes a warm environment and has relatively weak cold resistance. Therefore, you must do a good job of preventing cold in winter. Before winter, you need to move the plant to a warm place indoors, or cover the upper part of the plant with a plastic bag to keep it warm. Ventilation should be carried out regularly to prevent poor air circulation from affecting the development of the plants.

2. Moderate light: Fiddle-leaf fig is suitable for growing in places with sufficient light. It must be allowed to receive sufficient light during the growth process, especially in winter. Since the light is not strong, long-term light can also increase the ambient temperature, which is very helpful for the plant to survive the winter. It can also promote photosynthesis, allowing it to accumulate nutrients and grow better.

3. Control watering: Ficus microcarpa likes moisture, but due to the lower temperature in winter, the rate of water loss decreases and its demand for water is not high, so watering needs to be controlled. If it has completely entered a dormant period, it can be kept dry, but the leaves need to be rinsed with clean water to keep them clean and tidy.

4. Stop fertilizing: Ficus microcarpa needs to be fertilized during its growing period, but fertilization should be stopped in winter, otherwise the fertilizer will damage the root system and even cause it to rot. But if the indoor temperature is suitable, you can continue to fertilize it to provide it with nutrients.

2. Can you spend the winter outdoors?

The fiddle-leaf fig can safely overwinter in an environment of 5℃, so it should be no problem for it to spend the winter outdoors in the south. If the temperature is above 15℃, the plant can even grow normally and needs to be watered and fertilized.