The fiddleleaf fig is the “it” plant for the decade proclaimed an article in the New York Times. 
"Every era has its trendy houseplant. In the 1950s and ’60s, it was the African violet. In the ’70s, it was spider plants trailing out of macramé hangers. In the ’80s and early ’90s, it was the potted ficus. The aughts gave rise to mossy plants in terrariums and glass jars. This decade belongs, undeniably, to the fiddle-leaf fig."

For plant lovers who admire the elegant and statuesque, a fiddleleaf fig is the Holy Grail in plant ownership.

Ficus lyrata. Say it twice and relish how poetic it sounds. How the name rolls off the tongue, both exotic and lyrical. Even the common name, fiddleleaf fig, evokes both music and sensuous food. 

Argh! So why is this plant so finicky?

Let’s not sugar coat it. Fiddleleaf fig is a bit of a diva. I had one on my screened porch. When it dropped one of its giant leaves, the crashing sound would wake up my Jack Russell terrier, Pez, from a sound nap on the couch. Each leaf that fell off sounded like failure. So what did I do wrong? After doing a little research, I discovered my fiddleleaf fig wasn't getting enough light.

Here’s how to accommodate the needs of a fiddleleaf fig. I did it. So can you.

LIGHT: Start with the right light.

Everyone tells you this, but you really have to listen if you want to have a fit-as-a-fiddle, fiddle leaf fig. This plant likes bright indirect light or bright filtered light. This means that you can place your fiddleleaf near a south- or east-facing window, but it can’t be in glaring sunlight all day long. (Reality check: Keep in mind that when you see them in magazine spreads next to a bright window, it might just be that it was placed there for the photo.)

Make sure leaves are dust free; wipe them off with a damp cloth every couple weeks. Dust inhibits photosynthesis which could affect your plant.