*Want to see an update on how my tree is doing after 18 months? Click here**
First off, I just wanted to say a big hello to all of you who have found me via Young House Love! I’m a little overwhelmed by how many new followers I’ve gained and I’m so very grateful to have you here – thank you thank you thank you! Smooches. Ok, on with the post…
I think I’ve been looking for a fiddle leaf fig tree for at least a couple of years. I know they are ridiculously popular (at least in the US) but it’s one of those trends that is a trend for good reason – they add sculptural quality, organic shape and life to a room – and I’m completely smitten no matter how many times I see them. I bought a plant last year from Ikea but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for (I really wanted the tree!) and the search continued. It didn’t seem like anyone had them in this country – I’d gone as far as contacting local nurseries, emailing online suppliers and no one had them. I’d given up on this particular dream and started to do a little research to see if I could find something that had the same sort of gravatas as this particular species. I couldn’t.
And then, as fate would have it, I saw yet another picture in blogland of a gorgeous specimen and decided to resume my search. Well, wouldn’t you know, I found a supplier.
Now this is not a sponsored post – I am just excited and I know that there must be others here in the UK that are desperate for a little of this greeny goodness in their own homes too and so I wanted to share. Who knows, this place may get inundated by orders and sell out quickly seeing as they are clearly not that popular in this country. If so, you can thank me later, House of Plants.
Yes, House of Plants carries two different sizes – a larger one at around 190cm and a smaller one at 140cm. With Wayne balking at me spending £180 on something I could very well kill, I decided on the smaller one at £97. One other precaution that I took was purchasing their self-watering container – this way, there is no chance of me either over or under watering it (something that I couldn’t quite seem to crack with the fiddle leaf plant I had and some of the leaves had started to go brown).
I figured if I was already spending so much, I might as well protect my investment!
The plant came really quickly and a very nice man even phoned me to arrange delivery. If you order it with the self-watering system, they will pot it all up for you ready to go. You just unwrap it and Bob’s yer uncle!
A side note: I apologise for the quality of my photography in these pics – it was a very overcast day so they aren’t quite as good as they could be. Must master the camera in crappy light conditions when you are taking pictures with a big window.
Anyway, I changed things around a little vignette-wise too. I was asked by West Elm if I’d like to write an article for their blog Front & Main (eeeek!!) on styling a coffee table (which is ironic as I feel like I’ve only just cracked that recently) but it was good fun changing things around.
Here’s a little sneak peek… come back on Thursday for more.
So what you see here is how the room ended up but on Thursday I’ll share three different looks you can try.
You’ll see the little old coffee table – turned side table has finally been styled up a bit and my gold skull has made an appearance along with that pretty little glass and brass pineapple that I got from Zara Home in the sales. I’ve filled it with mint imperials because they are so pretty and simple. I used one of my little brass mini brandy cups (from eBay) as a match strike (even though it clearly has nothing to strike with – I’m calling it poetic license in decorating).
The sofa has also got a new addition from Hollie at Stuck on Hue – a gorgeous large cushion in Waverly Santa Maria Desert fabric that I’ve loved for quite some time. It picks up the colours in the living room so nicely.
Speaking of cushions, do you karate-chop your cushions? I just can’t get into it. Every time I try it, it just looks like I’m trying way too hard. So fluffed and full it is for this sofa.
My coffee table got a little zhushed in the styling process as well although funny enough, it ended up being a combination of all the looks I’ll share with you on Thursday.
If you’re wondering where the dragon tree is that I only just purchased, it’s now in my dining room next to the console table where the fiddle leaf plant used to be. I gave up on the fiddle leaf plant because Meisha kept trying to attack it (sigh) and it’d lost so many leaves on the bottom. We are going to give it to Wayne’s mum in the hopes that she can revive it (if anyone can, she can – she’s brilliant with plants of all kinds, so much better than I am!). At least on my new plant, the leaves are high up and more out of reach for curious kittens. Fingers crossed.
So anyone else been searching for fiddle leaf fig trees? Does anyone want to take some bets on how long I’ll manage to keep this one standing? Ever give in to a popular trend because you really could care less how saturated blogland is with it? Do you karate-chop your cushions? Want to share what you had for breakfast today? I don’t mind, I’m all ears.
I love the new tree! I'm such a fan of live plants in a space and have many myself. In order to prevent over and under watering I use aqua globes. They work but they're really ugly so now I'm going to look in to other self-watering mechanisms.
Well done of persevering with the plant-hunt! Looks fab in your living room. This plant has definitely been on my radar for some time thanks to the American blogs I read. Not sure if I can stretch to the price tag just yet but it's great to know that there's a UK source. <br /><br />Happy Sunday! :-)
The tree is perfect! I need to find myself a fake fiddle-leaf. Someone has to make a good fake somewhere, surely. Me and potted plants/ trees do not get on. ;)
How gorgeous! I love your plant menagerie – so lovely! I just acquired my first fiddle-leaf fig, a short youngster from Ikea. Here's hoping I can manage to keep it alive! I joke that now that I have a flf (it needs an abbreviation, right?), I'm a full-fledged blogger, although I still don't karate chop my cushions ;)
You may have just inspired me to go indoor-plant shopping! In our blazing-hot Australian summer sun, I struggle to keep anything alive outdoors, so maybe I'll have more luck inside. I'm another reader via YHL, so happy to have found your lovely blog! And I thought I was the only one not karate chopping my cushions, how glad I am to discover another non chopper. ;)
I love the look of this indoor tree species too and they are also difficult to find in Australia. I am definitely being swayed by blog-land image saturation! Our build project is not yet at the decoration stage so I'm not yet ready for tree commitment; will follow your specimen health with interest! LOL! Oh, and I think the size you chose was perfect in your space!
Plants collectively cringe at me when I walk past them in shops. It's like they can sense I am bad news. Of course my husband following behind me making screaming dying noises doesn't help either (oh boy, I just pictured the scene we must cause in a garden centre). But I love love love the look of them. You can just about feel the oxygen seeping into the air through the screen! Keep us
yes! I love them too. Funny, I didn't realise you were looking for one, as I bought one at House Of Plants over a month or so ago. Plus a big Sansevieria and a Friesia Kiwi Sunset.
Ahhh man, I'm sure with-holding valuable information is a crime!! ;) I'll have to check out the others you've purchased! I'm so happy with mine, fingers crossed I don't kill it! xx
Okay, embarrassing confession – I (unintentionally) murder every plant that comes into my care. I cannot for the life of me keep plants alive. The more I love them, the longer they suffer. <b>BUT</b>, this self watering device you speak of. It may just be the ray of hope I have been looking for.<br /><br />Your new pillow is ace! However, I'm afraid I'm a pillow chopper. Our couch is kind
Totally random, but if you want a strike surface for your match cup, just cut a little square from the side of the match box and glue it to the underside of your cup – works great (at least until you've lit so many matches the surface has scratched off — but it's easy to replace!). Love the FHF tree!
OMG YOU ARE A GENIUS!! Why didn't I think of that?! lol Thank you! xxx
How do you keep your kitties away from the plants? I would love to get some, but am afraid that Oliver will chew on them and poison himself! <br /><br />Also you're welcome for the award! :) I read your blog regularly, though don't comment too much (mainly because I'm too bust drooling over your decor) Haha
Pablo is great, doesn't even bother at all with them. Meisha is a different story! Really need to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't nibble anything that's bad for her (I check species to be sure there's never any poisonous ones that she'd have access to!). To be fair, she more 'plays' with them rather than eats them but it's still a bit of a 'mare!
your tree looks lush and luxe! i like the IDEA of caring for plants inside but hibiscus is the only one that has shown me love. :)<br /><br />michele
I love the look of fiddle leaf figs in pictures, and it looks so good with your other plants, but I'm scared to own one for two reasons: I don't have a green thumb, and my toddler is a bit of a destroyer of things. Perhaps one day :) <br />Loving your gorgeous accessorising and styling, and your chic new blog look! <br />xoxo
Hi, I also love FLFs! I search them out every time we move! I thought I would let you and your readers know that I have a 3 stem fiddle leaf fig plant purchased from House of Plants 3 years ago that we are selling because we are moving back to the States in a few months. Can send photos to anyone interested. I'm in Twickenham. The plants cost us over £200 and will sell for £75.00. Pet free
Hello, if the plant is still up for grabs I would be interested, though unsure how to contact you…
Ah…So Pretty! I'm trying to add greenery to our home! Such inspiration here! I did the karate chop the first time the other day, and felt a little bit odd for me, so the normal fluff was just right! I'm also looking for a skull to add to our new redo. Where did the one here come from?
Hahaha that's my problem too – it just looks really strange to me when I do it!! ;) The skull is from Urban Outfitters ;) I got it a while ago and it's not as shiny as this one but it's similar: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=5559446560001&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS#
Hi would you still recommend this and house of plants please? I also have been looking for one of these for a while! Thanks v much.
I would yes, mine has been doing brilliantly since I purchased it 8 months ago. I would recommend getting the self-feeder with it – fiddle leaf figs are temperamental and this just ensures that it's watered properly. You just need to keep an eye on the little gauge that tells you whether it needs watering (I probably fill the reservoir every 8 weeks or so and forget about it in between!). It&
Can you share where those 2 beautiful wicker chairs are from? I’ve been searching for something just like that! And the styling is so on point. Thank you.
I found them on eBay for £60! I searched for ‘hoop chairs’ :) Good luck! xxx
Hello! A year late to the game, I know, but are you as shocked as I about the price gulf between the US and the UK for the same plant? I can’t believe that people are able to buy Fiddle Leaf Figs for something like $12 in IKEA USA, and I’ve seen bloggers talk about getting large trees for $50… whereas House of Plants charges around £100 (much more if you opt for the lovely self-watering pots)! And another gardening centre in London is charging £150 for just a little one, argh! I so badly want a big tree but my gardenista thumb is yet to be tested, and I would hate to risk so much money on it… :-/
Hi Aster,
Yep, they are VERY pricey and I have no idea how they are able to grow them so inexpensively in the US – although a lot of things are a lot less expensive over there so I suppose it’s the way things go, unfortunately. *sob*
They do Fiddle Leaf Figs in Ikea here and they are around £13 last I looked – but these are the plants, not the trees (which are very pretty as well, just not the same look as the tree). But yes, it was a big investment and I really debated about it because of that money and whether I’d be able to keep it alive. The self-watering pot was worth the additional expense though – simply because the tree itself was an investment and I wanted to give it as best a chance of survival as possible ;)
However, saying all that, my tree a year on is doing amazingly well and I’m even considering getting another one! So I suppose it’s just a personal choice! Good luck with your decision – if it helps, I don’t regret spending the money! :) xxx
It’s always good to get a personal recommendation, that’s for sure! So thank you so much for sharing :-) Interesting you mention the IKEA plant – it’s not online anymore on the GB website, although they do advertise other Ficus varieties.
May I ask which height you bought (135cm or 155cm?), and whether it’s actually grown higher during the year? xxx
No problem! You might still find them in Ikea – I did buy one ages ago but I ended up really struggling with keeping it alive (I ended up giving it to my MIL who has a much greener thumb than I, must ask her how it’s doing!). I just measured my tree – I bought the 135cm (the smaller one) and a year later, it’s 165cm high! :) It’s also MUCH bushier. You can see it in my latest post and compare to the pictures in this post – you can really see how well it’s done! http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2015/03/ikea-curtain-hack-converting-a-grommet-header-to-pencil-pleats.html/
Hope that helps! xxx
Any ideas where I can buy a FLF tree with a thin stem. Tried that garden centre and they don’t have them any more. Would love to have one.
Thanks
They still have them at House of Plants: http://houseofplants.co.uk/plants/Ficus-lyrata_Fiddle-leaf-fig_48604.html
Hope that helps!
Thank u so much, I will contact them tomorrow. It looks like the ones from the States have much thinner stems, ours are quite a bit thicker. Am hoping to find a tall thin one with a few arms at the top. Tall order I know :)
Ha! Well good luck in your search to find the perfect specimen! Mine is doing amazingly well more than a year on and it’s HUGE so I’m happy to recommend HOP! xxx
Hi Kimberly
How often and how much do you water it? I have a new shoot inside the black covering but it’s half black which means something is not right :( The tip of the little shoot feels brittle too! My search continues here (will call today) because mine comes from Europe but would love another from here.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Maureen,
I purchased the self-watering planter for mine and honestly I believe it’s the very best thing I could have done for my plant. I simply fill the reservoir (there’s a little monitor on it that tells me when it’s low) about once a month and forget about it otherwise. The plant then just takes the water it needs and is never under or over watered.
I had a fiddle leaf plant (not the tree) for a while and I could NEVER figure out the right balance of water for it – they are incredibly particular I’ve found – which may be what’s wrong with yours! Also, my tree seems to like it’s spot where it gets mostly bright indirect light. Usually it’s either water or light that’s a problem with any plant and figuring out the right balance of both is crucial to a healthy plant.
So getting the self-watering planter was a god-send even though it made it more expensive (and they are already pricey) but I figured I wanted to protect my investment! ;) If you do purchase one, I would really recommend it. (And no I don’t work with HOP if you are wondering – Ha! I should be getting a commission from them though!! ;))
xxx
Thank you so much for your help. I think my husband would pull each strand of hair from my head if I now asked for another pot ? He’s just paid a fortune for a pot from Crete that I bent his ear about! I’ve bought a little bird/fish thingy to drip water into pot, I’ve bought a moisture Metre to check soil and now I give up!!! There is a lot of light so it’s the watering. The metre says soil is wet but feels dry and new shoot is black. When I call HOP today I’ll have a chat with them too.
Not sure how to attach a pic of it here.
Hahaha! Oh dear! I would definitely speak to them at HOP as they are the experts here and would probably know what to advise you on your own plant and can probably give you some information on what you might do to save your own! Plants are SO finicky sometimes! Good luck! xxx
Hi! I’m thinking of buying a FLF myself (from House of Plants coincidentally) and wanted to ask if you’ve had any issues with it in the UK temperatures? It seems like you haven’t since it’s doing well but I wanted to ask just in case! It’s getting cold now and I’m nervous the coldness of the flat and then dry heat with the heating on might not be best!
Thanks!
Camille
Hi Camille, I’ve not had any issue in terms of the cold season. In winter, the living room temperatures do drop a bit during the day as it’s north-facing and doesn’t get a lot of light or heat. However, it’s done great for the last 2 winters so I no longer fear that it will have any effect. Obviously I wouldn’t put it right near a heater as it may be too drying for it and if you do have it near a heat source, it may be good to spray it with an atomiser to just wet the leaves a bit every now and again. If you do get it from HoP, I would encourage you to go with the self-watering planter as well – I honestly think it’s probably the biggest reason my tree is doing so well. Good luck with yours!! They are stunning plants! xx
Thanks for this. I’m always searching for good plant suppliers online. Really beautifully styled too.
So happy to help Janice! I’ve since purchased other plants from House of Plants and really like them :) And thank you, that’s really kind xx
Hi Kimberly,
I just LOVE how you’ve put together everything in your house. Keep it up!
Just wanted to know where have you purchased these two wicker chairs from? I’m on a lookout for such chairs but can’t find any. The only ones i found were way too expensive.
Thanks
Aww thank you so much! I found them on eBay a number of years ago for about £60 for the pair! They are called ‘hoop chairs’ so that might help in your search :) Good luck!! xxx
awesom article
Thank you so much for your help.