The Big Secret About My Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Lately I’ve been getting a ton of comments about the fiddle leaf fig tree in my family room.

People have been asking how I’ve managed to keep it alive and so green.

I guess it’s time I come clean.

The truth is, although I would love to be a plant person, I’m not. In fact, I can’t keep a house plant alive for the life of me and frankly I’m done trying!

I’ve got lots of other things around here that need taking care of and my house plants or this beautiful (and did I mention always green and perky) fiddle leaf fig tree isn’t one of them.

Yep. It is fake. Artificial. Not real. A total phony.

a beautiful and healthy fiddle leaf fig tree with a big secret

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But what it is, is always green. Always perky, and never thirsty. My kind of plant!

Back when we were refreshing our family room and I was gathering inspiration, I realized that I was super drawn to plants. But since real plants and me just don’t get along I had to find a way to get the look without murdering yet another plant.

I did a bit of research and found that Amazon is a great place to find quality artificial plants and trees and placed my order.

I ordered a pack of two, 6 foot fiddle leaf branches and figured I would just plant them myself. (Most of the ones you see come in little pots already, but if you do end up finding branches, you can easily plant them.)

How to plant an artificial tree

Supplies for DIY Artificial Tree

Plastic pot (really inexpensive or left over from an outside project is perfect)
Spray foam gap filler (used to fill gaps in insulation or along windows)
Rocks (for weight at the bottom of the pot.)
Artificial tree

Step 1: Layer the rock

Place a layer of rocks in the bottom of your pot. The taller your tree, the more weight you’ll want so your tree doesn’t fall over. (Also, you’ll probably be placing this ugly plastic pot into a basket or nicer looking pot which will also help it balance.)

how to plant an artificial fiddle leaf fig tree

Step 2: Position the tree

Place your tree perfectly straight (plumb) in your pot. Have the bottom of the branch touch the bottom of the pot (so the rocks will be around the bottom of the branch).

Step 3: Secure the tree

Secure your tree so that it stays perfectly straight.

I was working on this project alone, so I tied some twine around my branch and then tied each end of the twine to the posts on my patio cover. You will need it to stay in this position for awhile, so don’t plan on just holding it.

Step 4: Fill pot with foam

Fill the pot with spray foam.

Be aware that the foam will continue to expand for a day or two, so don’t go all the way to the top.

Step 5: Let it dry

Let it dry according to the instructions.

Once it’s dry, add it to your room and don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!

how to have a beautiful and healthy fiddle leaf fig tree

The only maintenance my fiddle leaf tree needs is a little dusting ever so often. For that I just take a damp paper towel and wipe the leaves and it’s good as new!

I put mine in a big basket and love that it adds a ton of color and height to this corner in my family room. But more than that, I love that I never have to water it and it’s always green!

So there you have it. The truth. You do what you gotta do to get the look you want.

There is always a solution and it doesn’t have to involve becoming a plant lady.

Add some green to your home with these quality artificial plant picks!