Our figgy wiggy turns one

For regular people, this is not a big deal. The fact that I’ve kept track of today’s date alone should prove how much of a deal this is for me. One year ago I bought and brought home our fiddle leaf fig and I’ve KEPT IT ALIVE FOR THAT ENTIRE TIME. 

“Wow. That is in no way exciting. Thanks for wasting my time, Alex“, I hear you say. But for me, I’ve never been able to keep a plant alive for more than 6 weeks, maximum. In my entire 31 years. I stopped buying plants years ago for the plant’s sake as bringing one home was basically death row for them. Except I changed my mind when I saw a this fiddle leaf fig in B&Q Liffey Valley and I took a chance and brought it home. 

As I said in my original blog post, fiddle leaf fig plants are very trendy these days. I’ve always just liked the look of them so that’s why I bought one vs. their trendiness. Did I mention that fiddle leaf figs are some of the pickiest and most difficult plants to look after? Really great choice for old black thumbs here. But that’s why I’m so proud. I kept the pickiest damn plant alive for a year. And it grew! By 7 leaves! [but lost a few lower leaves when they got old and crusty and I ruthlessly clipped them off]. Dad DIYer re-potted our figgy wiggy yesterday [that’s how terrified I am of killing it – I didn’t even want to re-pot it myself] and it fit perfectly into our Uashmama gold paper bag [from Dust!]. 

My ‘secret’ to keeping ours alive? I water it every 1-2 weeks, more in the summer when it’s warmer, rub coconut oil on the leaves every 6 months, no direct sunlight and if the soil gets really dry, I submerge it in water then let it drain for a good hour afterwards. That’s it. There’s nothing more to this post other than the fact that I’m amazing and I kept a thing alive for a year. I’ve managed to keep Robert and Cora alive too, but they’re less picky.