Back in March 2014, after probably a year of searching for some place in the UK to buy a fiddle leaf fig, I finally found a source. So excited I was by both my find and my subsequent purchase, I decided to share this discovery here on the blog. It ended up being one of my most popular posts ever (indeed, if you type in ‘fiddle leaf fig uk’ into Google, my post comes out at or very near the top!) – so it seems there are a lot of people in this country who had the same dilemma I did and I’m thrilled that so many have been able to get them when they are so ridiculously rare here – in fact, I still don’t know of another source where you can buy fiddle leaf fig trees (plants, yes – trees? nada).
Since then, I have had a lot of comments, emails and questions about my fiddle leaf fig, specifically how it’s currently doing, if it was worth the money and whether I’d still recommend House of Plants as a place to buy. It’s a pricey purchase (a 150cm tree is currently priced at £110 and the 180cm tree is priced at £170) so I can totally understand why someone would want to be sure before they clicked ‘buy’. When I purchased my 140cm tree, it was priced at £97.
At the time, I also purchased the “Classico” self-watering planter in white that they offer in conjunction with the tree. This added an additional £40 or so to my order but I see the price has gone up to £79 (yes, that’s a hell of a mark up!).
So I guess what I’m saying is – this is not a cheap and easy buy. This is an investment.
However, after all that money spent and after all the questions about how my tree is doing, I thought I’d do a little update for you.
Here’s what it looked like when I purchased it…
And here’s what it looks like now – 18 months later…
I am GLORIOUSLY PROUD of my fiddle leaf. I have not killed it – in fact, it’s flourishing. I think in the 18 months since I’ve had it, I’ve lost 2 leaves from it (and they didn’t grow brown and fall off, they just fell off) and plenty more have grown in their place.
The self-watering container is like ‘Houseplants for Dummies’ – it’s the best investment I could have made for my tree and I genuinely believe that without it, my tree would not have thrived as it has (I’m notoriously terrible for remembering to water my plants). The little plastic gauge goes up when you fill the reservoir and simply goes down as the plant uses the water. When it reaches the bottom, it’s time to refill the reservoir in the bottom of the pot. I fill it about every 5 weeks or so – sometimes with a bit of plant food mixed in and that’s it. The rest of the time I kind of forget about it aside from cleaning the leaves of dust with a damp cloth every 3 or 4 months.
It clearly likes the location too – my fiddle leaf doesn’t get a huge amount of direct light except in the early morning and then it’s just indirect light the rest of the day.
Eighteen months on, my tree now stands at 185cm tall – that’s 6 feet tall! – and spans about 120cm at the widest point (close to 4 feet) and would cost at this size and with the self-watering pot around £239 from House of Plants today. Would I buy one again? Hell yeah I would. Do I think it was worth the £140 or so I paid for it? Well, as it’s one of the most eye-catching items in my living room and considering how much I love it, the answer is a resounding yes.
I think if you are willing to wait a year and a half for your plant to grow (I can only imagine how big it will be in another 18 months), then I reckon getting the smaller tree might be a great way to save a little bit of cash if you’re considering purchasing one.
I know fiddle leaf figs are one of those plants that many in the interior design world have grown weary of because every designer is using them. But the hell with that – I adore my tree. I could care less whether they are ‘out’ or ‘in’ or ‘trendy’ or ‘so 2013’. I think it’s beautiful.
Do you have any tips for taking care of a fiddle leaf fig tree if you have one yourself? Is it something you’re considering buying? Or do you think they’ve ‘had their day’ and they are passé now? Go on, you know I love your comments…
No this isn’t a sponsored post by House of Plants in case you are wondering although if they are reading this, I reckon they should probably send me a few new plants considering how much business I’ve probably brought to them over the last year and a half! Ha!! (joking) (kind of)
**Update!!** Seems my cheekiness has paid off! House of Plants has gotten in touch and said they’d love to send me a plant as a thank you! OMG HOW NICE IS THAT?! Eeek! Will share soon what I’ve decided on ;) Thank you House of Plants!
It’s a beautiful tree, and I’m kinda in awe of you for keeping it alive!I think until I master the art of watering I’ll have to stick to cheaper greenery…although I don’t think there’s even anywhere in Ireland selling these so it’s probably not even an option for me!
This is it Linda – you DON’T have to be a master at watering with the self-watering pot ;) I am RUBBISH at remembering to water mine and I honestly believe that’s the only reason it’s still alive! :D And keep looking, there’s gotta be somewhere – or maybe they’ll ship to Ireland if you are really wanting one? ;) xxx
In Feb/March this year, I purchased my fiddle leaf from House of Plants too. I’d been searching for several years, even contacted Ikea to find out if they might consider importing them to the UK, since they are available at other world wide stores! No luck there! Read about your fig leaf and waited for the right time to order as my fiddle leaf is in a room I’ve just renovated with lots of natural light…cost me £145 with the self watering container. Still love it and it’s still thriving! Miracle really since my gardening skills are too good! Definitely worth the money but I would also recommend the self watering container for anyone not very plant savvy like me as it’s a lot of money if it dies!
Oh that’s amazing Sharon – I’m so glad my post meant you have a FLF of your own! And so happy to hear it’s thriving too! That self-watering pot is a total god send isn’t it? ;) xxx
It looks bloody gorgeous! I like to pride myself on having green fingers and have always had a few houseplants in my house, but I’ve never dared to get one of these as they are notoriously tricky. I’m about to change my mind! It finishes off your room really well. And I don’t think it’s a lot to pay for something that’s organic and architectural, and that can last years and years. I mean, what would we pay over the years for nice vases and fancy flowers every week or so? Bet it’s not far off??
Oh Afa, if you are already green-fingered, you’ll be absolutely fine with this. I don’t consider myself particularly great with houseplants (terrible for remembering to water, REALLY) and I’m so happy with my purchase. Oh and you are absolutely right about the organic/architectural qualities it brings to a space. Far more than a small vase of flowers could which could be quite pricey over time. That’s the best justification ever ;) xxx
I can’t believe how much it’s grown! Argh! I’m INSANELY jealous!!! I have kept my plant (not tree) alive, but it’s not grown AT ALL that I can actually see. I have found myself wondering if it’s even real. Ha! I think it’s the lack of food, which I keep thinking I must give it :-/ I was planning on buying myself a tree this year because even though I love my plant which is a decent size, it’s a tree that my heart desires and my plant was kind of a test to see if it would survive, and it has, so you know, I DESERVE it. X
I couldn’t keep my plant alive for love nor money! I even gave my (dying) plant to my MIL because she’s the most green-fingered person I’ve ever met, absolutely amazing with plants and every one of her houseplants looks like she just bought it from the store they are SO healthy – and she couldn’t even bring it back to life! So you should be proud your plant is doing so well! And ya know YOU SHOULD GET THE TREE if that’s what you really want ;) You DO deserve it dammit! xxx
Very jealous! I bought one (from Ikea) and loved it, but despite my best efforts I managed to kill it within 4 months. Tried everything – I think it just hated the light in my apartment. All our windows faced exactly the same way though so I couldn’t really move it around and try different light. Yours is beautiful!
Kaylee, I couldn’t keep my Ikea plant alive either!! All my best efforts but it still died on me. So this is why I credit the self-watering pot for how well this is doing because it’s certainly not me! LOL! xxx
Just bought one in Lidl for £10! Yes! £10. It is approximately 4ft and very healthy. Hurry up and get down there, loads of other plants too!
SHUT. UP. You are joking!? Are they trees or plants? Dammit, I need to get myself to a Lidl. Thanks for leaving the comment – hope others see this too! xxx
I know!! Whoo hoo! I must admit, it is a plant but could you prune the bottom leaves off so it looks like a tree?? The leaves have opened up brilliantly this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with it! I had actually just nipped there for tapas bits..who knew?
Your’s looks amazing! I just bought a tiny 2ft one for $20 at Home Depot last weekend!! I can’t wait for it to grow and thrive. I’ve already lost 2 leaves — which worries me, but I am doing lots of research.
I seem to like higher maintenance plants — fiddle leaf, maidenhair fern! But I love how they look and I’m sticking with them even if they are sooo 2013. Don’t care. Beautiful is classic.
I also really like the chair in front of your fiddle leaf. I’m considering similar ones.
Are they comfortable? or more for perching?
Thank you!
oh and I will take that trade you offered of some sun for some rain :) — we have a heat advisory here this week..ugh..in the 90’s with terrible humidity.
Mine lost a couple of leaves too – it might just be that they naturally shed a couple as they grow? But I’m the same – love maidenhair ferns too but this is the year I feel I have finally cracked keeping them alive! (Maybe I should do a post on that too?! lol) Yep if you love it, then the hell with what’s trendy or not. The most important thing is YOU love it. The chairs are vintage from eBay (£60! Bargain!) and they are definitely more perching chairs than comfort! Ha! And yes, I will have some of that sun – this summer has been a complete washout ;) Stay cool! xxx
Your tree is gorgeous! Think of all the clean air you receive from it! I, too, had a terrible time trying to find one here in the upstate of South Carolina, so I ended up ordering a small one on-line from California. It was not terribly expensive. It was only about 14 inches when I got it about 6 months ago and now it’s 36 inches. I know it will continue to grow. I don’t have multiple trunks like yours. Maybe someday they will sprout!
It’s so frustrating when you can’t find what you want locally isn’t it? ;) But I’m happy you got one and I’m sure if it’s grown that much in such a short time, you’re well on your way to a larger tree! Fingers crossed it thrives and you get your multiple trucks :D xxx
wow your fiddle is THRIVING! I bought a tiny one almost two years ago from Ikea, and the thing is finally loving it’s spot in our home. It’s almost grown a foot this year! I should look into that self watering mechanism…
Oh I wish I could have kept my plant alive! Yours is stunning! Mine hated me, I’m sure of it ;) A foot is incredible – I think when they are happy, you just know it!! xxx
Now that is one healthy specimen, it looks gorgeous in the window. I have a lot of plants in my house, and i think they look great, its what you think, and what you like that fiddle leaf fig is something to be proud of. Xxx
Aww thank you my dear! I LOVE lots of plants in a home, I wish I had the room for more :) xx
It’s wonderful to see you have great luck with that plant.. I wish i had..i tried my luck and lost twice.. so needless to say i gave up..I always loved that plant and yours is totally beautiful.. great job…
Aww try the self-watering planter Jamala – honestly, it’s literally a life saver :) xx
Selfwatering!?!?! I need that! Mine is doing great so far too with me watering it once a week but it’s not as big and glorious as yours. It wants to be just like that though one day. I can’t believe they’ll send you a plant! Jealous ;)
I genuinely think it’s the only reason it’s done so well! :D I am TERRIBLE for remembering to water! And yes, I thought that was so nice of them – I’m very excited :) xxx
Last year in September my favourite garden center closed (it’s a personaly tragedy for me), and they were selling their plants at a massive discount.
They also had a big, lush FLF, exactly as tall as me (154 cm/pretty much exactly 5 feet), and I knew it used to be a much bigger plant they had to shorten a bit – it had almost reached the (really high!) roof of their conservatory. I had been talking to one of their employees there, and he mentioned they’d have to cut it basically in half, and I was “Oh really?!” and he said “Yes … but you realise that doesn’t mean the price goes down, right?” :D
So, anyhoo, they were selling the plant – with several trunks/branches and leaves all over – for 115 €. Which was still a bit too expensive for me right then. I asked them if they were willing to hold it for me for a few weeks, but they couldn’t. BUT as look would have it, one of my clients paid me earlier than expected and I had a friend drive me to the garden center (because she has a spacious car!), I went in and bought my FLF … for 80 €! Oh the happiness.
I took him home, christened him Freddy Arbuthnot and we’ve been happy ever since. He’s grown a good 30 cms, lost exactly 1 leaf, and he is beautiful!
I wipe his leaves down roughly every second week, and I’m getting really fast at it. I used to take me an entire episode of Murder She Wrote, now it only takes one Mike & Molly. :)
He makes a much greater impact than the gazillion of smaller plants I used to have; and I’ve been changing my greenery from lots of little plants to … slightly fewer, but bigger plants. It’s somehow more satisfying, and it also works better with the cat, who felt he had to fuck up every plant that was smaller than him! Furry asshat.
Can’t say much about the care, I’ve always been very good at plant care, and I don’t do much more with Freddy than watering him and keeping him clean! :D
Oh I love your story!! Freddy Arbuthnot – hahaha – love the name too! You’ll have to teach me your secret of cleaning those leaves, it takes me way longer than one Mike & Molly :D
And I totally agree about the impact the larger a plant gets – I used to have lots of plants in this room (well I still have a few but less now by the window) because I feel like it just takes away from my FLF’s MAJESTY!! :D And our cats don’t bother with it at all although Meisha is facinated by the water monitor, she often is seen playing with the little cover. SMH. xxx
P.S. “Furry asshat” made me LOL
It’s great that Freddy has a really good origins story, like a super hero!
(Maybe apart from the moment when the salesman told me they couldn’t hold him for me and I wailed “But what if he doesn’t go a good home?!” :D)
WHAT! No offence, but I was totally expecting your fiddle leaf to have less leaves after that amount of time! Hahahahha! I think that’s simply down to my black thumbness. But this self watering magic you speak of … This, I need to invest in (and I think I’ve seen smaller ones in our local gardening centre before. In the shape of a DIAMOND. I need to get on that).
How dare you have so little faith in my FLF!! Hahaha! If you have a source for them in Ireland, let me know because Linda from Make Do or DIY is in Ireland (first comment above) and she said she couldn’t find them at all there :D Now go forth and buy thee a self-watering planter and DIAMOND FLF!! xxx
I got 2 from lidl. They’re about 5 and a half feet tall, I pulled of the bottom leaves and put them both in the same pot. Looks like a big bushy tree! For £20!
Hi
I have two FLF trees however I’m now on the hunt for one with much thinner stems, either one stem with large arms or a few thin stems in one pot. What I’ve seen pictured online at house of plants are thicker than I would like. Any updated photes of how yours is doing and have you seen any lately with thin tall stems.
Many thanks
Maureen :)
Not sure I’ve seen large adult trees with very thin stems because obviously the leaves are quite large and would need to be supported. I’d give HoP a call and see if they can send you a few pictures of what they have in stock as the pics on the site are just representative of the sizes they carry. Mine doesn’t have very thick stems, I think that’s just how they grow though? xx
Although yours is attached by a thicker stem at sand level, the actual stems are lovely and thin. That’s what I’m looking for, mine are thick all the way up. They seem to have the thinner ones only in the States :( I have sent an email to Hop asking what’s available. Thanx x
Hello! Your fig is beautiful! I just bought one…”used” lol and it is my obsession currently. I want to repot it…what size pot is yours living so happily in?
Oh what a great score! My pot is 35cm in diameter – hope that helps and good luck with your new tree! xx
Hi! Your tree looks so beautiful. I just bought mine last week, and really want to keep it healthy like yours. I have e keep him near the east facing window and he gets some direct morning light, do you think that is ok or shall I keep him in a west facing corner where there is abundant indirect light. But that room tends to get little hotter. I live in North California :)
Hi Neha, it’s hard for me to say but going off where mine is, the room is a tiny bit cooler than the rest of the house being Northeast-facing and only gets direct light (which is not that strong considering I’m in England) early in the morning. That said, remember that their native environment is quite warm and humid (Western African rainforest) so I would go for the West-facing warmer corner with the abundant indirect light and possibly consider misting with water as well if you have low humidity (I know Southern California is drier but not sure about N California). The worst that happens is your FLF isn’t that happy and you move it and try your other spot! Best of luck xx