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If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at growing a fiddle leaf fig tree, now is your chance! It’s common to grow this popular plant from a cutting, but is it possible to get ahold of fiddle leaf fig seeds?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about growing a fiddle leaf fig plant from seed.

person putting fiddle leaf fig seeds in soil

Can fiddle leaf figs grow from seed?

Yes, fiddle leaf figs can be grown from seed, but they are more typically propagated by taking a cutting from an existing tree. It can be challenging to grow a fiddle leaf fig from seed because the seeds are very delicate and need specific conditions to germinate.

The main reason it is difficult to grow a fiddle leaf fig plant from seed is because pollination needs to occur in order for the seed to germinate. This is challenging enough for fiddle leaf figs that live outside and nearly impossible to happen indoors.

How hard is it to grow a fiddle leaf fig from seed?

It’s very hard to grow a fiddle leaf fig from seed if you don’t live in specific regions of Africa or Australia, where the plant is native. In its native environment, the flower of this plant is pollinated by a specific wasp that can only be found in these areas of the world.

Unless you can get ahold of this wasp as well as replicate the plant’s growing conditions when the fiddle leaf fig is in the wild, it is very unlikely that you will be able to grow a fiddle leaf fig tree from seed.

seedlings

How to grow fiddle leaf fig from seed

It’s extremely difficult to grow a fiddle leaf fig tree from seed and if you see these seeds on sale, it is best to avoid them as they are most likely fake. Instead, it’s much easier to propagate a fiddle leaf fig tree from a cutting if you have access to one.

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Here are the steps on how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig from a cutting:

1. Obtain a cutting from a friend or nursery

The first step is to find a cutting from a friend or nursery. Make sure the cutting is at least six inches long and has several leaves on it. If you take a cutting with only 1 leaf, it may only produce “zombie leaves”, which are leaves that never develop into full plants.

Make sure that your cutting is healthy and free of any diseases or pests.

Find out more: How to Propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig

2. Put your cutting in growing medium

This can be done in two ways: either by growing your cutting in water or planting it directly in soil.

If you want to grow your cutting in water, fill a vase or jar with clean water and place your fiddle leaf fig cutting in it. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh.

someone growing cuttings instead of growing fiddle leaf figs from seed

Within a few weeks, you should see roots growing from the bottom of the cutting. Once the roots are several inches long, you can plant your cutting in a pot with soil.

If, however, you want to plant your fiddle leaf fig cutting directly in soil, fill a pot with well-draining potting mix and insert the cutting about 2 inches deep into the soil. Loosely pack the soil around the cutting.

3. Water your fiddle leaf fig regularly

Once your fiddle leaf fig is planted, water it regularly to keep the soil moist. Don’t let the soil dry out completely as this will kill the plant.

4. Place your plant in the light

Fiddle leaf fig cuttings need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. Place your plant in a spot near a window where it will get plenty of light but not direct sunlight which may put the plant in shock at its early age.

small fiddle leaf fig next to window

5. Fertilize the plant one month later

Once your plant has been established for a month, give it some diluted half-strength fertilizer for a boost. There are specific fertilizers for fiddle leaf figs that you can find at a nursery or online.

You can also make your own fertilizer by mixing one part compost to ten parts water.

How long does it take to grow a fiddle leaf fig tree from seed?

It can take as long as three months for a fiddle leaf fig tree to germinate from seed. The process is very slow and there are a lot of failures. The plant is very delicate and needs specific conditions to thrive. 

In addition, once it germinates, it can be very hard to sustain. This means that while this is possible to do, you may want to consider getting a cutting instead if you really want your plant to grow.

What do fiddle leaf fig seeds look like?

Fiddle leaf fig seeds are very small and delicate. They are often compared to the size of a mustard seed. The seed has a hard outer shell with a soft, white inner flesh. In the wild, the seed is then pollinated by a certain type of wasp.

In order to form seeds, the fiddle leaf fig plant must produce fruit. This rarely happens indoors and can occasionally be seen on wild fiddle leaf figs growing in their natural habitat.

The fruit then needs to be eaten by a specific wasp in order for the seed to be pollinated. Once the seed is pollinated, it will grow into a small plant that can eventually be transplanted into soil.

Where to find fiddle leaf fig seeds for sale?

There are not many reputable sources that sell fiddle leaf fig seeds. If you see them for sale, it is best to avoid them as they are most likely fake. The plant is very difficult to grow from seed and it is better to propagate a fiddle leaf fig tree from a cutting if you have access to one.

You will find cuttings and small pots for sale at your local nursery or garden center. You can also find them online from reputable sources.

small fiddle leaf fig growing

There are also many groups online that specialize in fiddle leaf figs where you can find cuttings for sale. These are often the best places to get a cutting as you can be sure that the plant is healthy and free of diseases or pests.

Finally, trading cuttings with other fiddle leaf fig owners is also a great way to get a cutting. This is a fun and easy way to get started growing your own fiddle leaf fig tree.

Are fiddle leaf fig seeds rare?

Yes, fiddle leaf fig seeds are quite rare. Even if you do see them on the market, they most likely aren’t true fiddle fig seeds. They are sometimes used by large companies to grow new fiddle leaf fig plants for sale but are not sold by any official channels to the general public.

But, if you are lucky enough to find some real fiddle leaf fig seeds, it is best to avoid them as they have a very low success rate and require a lot of care and attention. It is much easier (and more successful) to propagate a plant from a cutting.

How do fiddle leaf fig seeds grow in the wild?

Fiddle leaf fig plants are known as the bullies of the rainforest because of how they grow. In the wild, they often grow on top of other trees and plants, strangling them and taking all the sunlight. Over time, they will kill the other plant and take over its space. 

Not only does this give them direct access to sunlight, but it provides them with an abundant amount of nutrients from the tree that they are growing on top of.