Fiddle leaf fig trees are well known for two reasons. First, they are ridiculously adorable and totally trendy. Second, they have been given a bad rap for being super high maintenance. Because, well, they kind of are.
If you are a proud new plant mama (or papa) to a fiddle leaf fig tree, or if you want to get a little fig but you have a healthy respect of your less-than-green-thumb, or if you're just wondering how to keep the thing alive, this is for you. I adopted my fiddle leaf fig a few months ago. Since then, it's grown quite a bit already and seems like it has a pretty good quality of life. I've had a few people ask me how to care for it, so I figured I would share with you the few things that I have done to make sure it remains healthy and continues to flourish. 1. Start with a healthy plant. Fiddle leaf fig trees aren't the cheapest of plants, so make sure to choose a healthy one to purchase. Be selective. Don't buy any that have brown spots, since that's a sign of disease, bad watering, or pests. 2. Let it sunbathe. This plant likes its sun. Place it in a spot that gets nice indirect sunlight throughout the day. South facing windows get a lot of light, but an east or west facing window does well for them too. Just make sure it doesn't stand in the way of direct rays of light. Keep it a couple of feet from the window, or place it in front of a window with a sheer curtain. You don't like sunburns. Your fig doesn't like them either. 3. Keep it in a room that stays roughly between 60 and 80 degrees. Also, keep it away from any cold drafts from windows and doors. Fiddle leaf figs come from warm climates, and they really don't like the cold. 4. Water thoroughly once weekly with a water-soluble plant food fertilizer. Ask your local greenhouse what brand they carry, and be sure to follow the instructions on the container. Mine says I can use it every week, but there are bi-weekly options out there as well. Also, watch your plant. Brown spots are sometimes signs of too frequent or not frequent enough watering. Be mindful and try adjusting your watering schedule if brown spots start to form. 5. Dust the leaves with a clean rag every so often. Dust build up can interfere with the leaves' ability to absorb sunlight, so getting rid of any dust buildup every once in a while is pretty important so that the plant can continue to thrive. Just make sure to use a clean rag so as not to spread any bacteria onto the leaves. Also, watch for brown spots, falling leaves, or yellowing. This variety of tree is fairly susceptible to pests. If signs of infection are forming on any of the leaves of your tree, use a rag with warm water and a little dish soap (1 gallon of water to every 1/2 tsp of detergent), to gently cleanse the leaves. So, compared to a succulent or something, I suppose fiddle leaf figs are kind of high maintenance. But honestly, they are also surprisingly hearty. Given a decent environment, they flourish and can grow to be above six feet tall. Just remember that a little consistent love goes a long way for this plant, and if you take a little time each week to give it some attention, your fig will be fit as a fiddle for the days to come. xoxo, Meg
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Some of my favorite childhood memories of my mom revolve around our kitchen. She taught me to bake, she let me write out my own recipes in a little cookbook, and she even hosted cooking classes for me and my friends. Now, as a wife and a homemaker, I have found that having beautiful kitchen tools makes even the most simple of tasks so much more enjoyable. For the past few months, I have been in the process of slowly editing out the things in our home that we don't need or use. This pursuit of a more minimalist-inspired living has led me to purchase intentionally and to value quality over quantity. By reducing the number of things we have, particularly in the kitchen, I have found simple cleaning and homemaking tasks to be peaceful, and an opportunity to express joy and thankfulness. I'm really grateful for my mom; particularly for her example at home, for her joy in living, and for her authentic heart of love for others. So, in light of Mother's Day being just around the corner, I have gathered my absolute favorite daily-use kitchen items to create three gift bundle ideas that promote beautiful homemaking. 1. Turkish Towels + Wooden Scrub Brush Honestly, I didn't understand the craze about Turkish towels until I got my hands on a few for myself. Now I'm hooked. I bought both the towels and the brushes on Amazon, but you can also find wooden or bamboo scrub brushes at TJ Maxx. Turkish towels get softer and softer the more times you wash, so toss them in the wash prior to using so they can be luxuriously absorbent. Purchasing Sources: Turkish Towels Wooden Dish or Veggie Brush 2. Amber Glass Soap Dispenser + Wooden Scrub Brush I know, I know, that little brush is in this roundup twice, but seriously. I love them. They are durable, have multiple uses, fit nicely in the hand, last way longer than sponges, dry easier (so they don't stink like dishrags), yada yada yada. They're essential. And word on the street tells me that if you love something, chances are it will make a great gift. As far as the soap dispenser is concerned, amber glass is just so pretty. Target has some beautiful ones in stock right now, or you can get crafty and make your own by up-cycling a kombucha bottle. I've found that Brew Dr. Kombucha bottles can fit some soap pumps. Just scrub that label off with a magic eraser, and voila - super pretty soap dispenser. Skip Bath and Body Works this time around, and instead fill that pretty soap dispenser with some natural lavender dish soap by Seventh Generation, and you've got yourself a beautiful mom's day gift. And don't forget a little twine bow to tie it all up. Purchasing Sources: Wooden Dish or Veggie Brush Amber Soap Dispenser 3. Wooden Cutting Board + Glass Bottle of Cutting Board Oil Wooden cutting boards are classic. They also make beautiful gifts, since they're used basically every day in most kitchens. However, as with all wood, they need to be cared for properly in order to keep the wood hydrated and to avoid splitting. You can pick up a bottle of food-safe cutting board oil at most any grocery or hardware store. To elevate the aesthetic of your gift, pour some of the oil into a small amber glass bottle. I purchased my small amber bottles in the vitamins section at Whole Foods. They're really inexpensive. Plus, they can be reused for homemade essential oil concoctions, so including it in this gift bundle is a sweet, worthwhile touch. Purchasing Sources: Wooden Cutting Board Cutting Board Oil Small Amber Glass Spray Bottle xo, Meg PS. Oh, and one last thing. Regardless of what you give your mom this Mother's Day, don't forget the chocolate. Because, let's be honest. Mother's Day simply wouldn't be Mother's Day without chocolate. |
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