Choosing the best pot for your fiddle leaf fig is all about good drainage. A snug container with multiple drainage holes is ideal.
The right pot can help you find the balance between dryness and moisture, which is important for the sensitive fiddle leaf fig.
As fiddle leaf figs can grow to a towering 9.8 feet indoors, it’s also crucial to think about the weight of your pot, especially if you plan to drag your plant outdoors to enjoy the summer sunshine.
The best overall fiddle leaf fig pot is Bloomscape’s 16” Ecopot. Not only is this pot a great eco-friendly option (hello 80% recycled plastic), its effective drainage and matching saucer are ideal for moisture-sensitive fiddle leaf figs. Other favorite options include this 10” Terracotta Plant Pot With Drainage Hole And Saucer (ideal for anyone who is prone to over-watering their fiddle leaf fig) and this simply stylish Woven Seagrass Plant Basket from Houseplant Resource Center.
- Best Overall: Bloomscape’s Ecopots Round Pot 16”
- Best Budget-Friendly: Houseplant Resource Center’s Woven Seagrass Plant Basket
- Best Premium: Léon & George Ceramic Planter – The Twelve
- Best Drainage: 10” Terracotta Plant Pot With Drainage Hole And Saucer
- Best Aesthetic: Léon & George Scandinavian – The Ten
- Best Repotting Kit: Bloomscape’s Repotting Kit – 16” Pot
- Best Pot Accessory: Bloomscape’s Ecopots Saucer on Wheels 13”
Product Reviews
Best Overall: Bloomscape’s Ecopots Round Pot 16”
Highlights:
The best pot for fiddle leaf figs is the 16” Ecopots Round Pot from Bloomscape.
The highlight is the superb drainage hole and matching sauce which can help your fiddle leaf fig avoid the dreaded root rot.
At 8.6 pounds, the pot is relatively light considering its size. The pot’s durability is ideal for large plants like fiddle leaf figs.
The Ecopot comes in five color options, including a lovely indigo and a classic slate. Whichever color you choose, the sleek minimalist design will help your fiddle leaf fig stand out and is sure to complement any interior style.
The minimalist design is complemented by good ethics. The pot and saucer are made of up to 80% recycled plastic (much of which is harvested from the ocean) by the Ecopots company – a CO2 neutral certified company.Key Features:
- Material: 80% recycled plastic
- Dimensions: 15.7” (diameter), 13.7” (height), 14.3” (saucer diameter)
- Color: Stone, clay, charcoal, slate, indigo
- Drainage: Yes (comes with a matching saucer too!)
- Use: Indoor and outdoor (frost resistant, UV-proof)
Who’s It For?
The size of the pot makes it ideal for mature fiddle leaf figs (given that they are slow-growers this can be 10 – 15 years).
But other sizes are available which would suit younger fiddle leaf figs too, including 10” and 12” options.
Best Budget-Friendly: Houseplant Resource Center’s Woven Seagrass Plant Basket
Highlights:
This stylish and purse-friendly plant basket is handwoven from seagrass, giving each a unique look.
This sustainable pot alternative is a great size for fiddle leaf figs. The natural seagrass color nicely complements the plant’s luscious green leaves and will look great in most indoor spaces.
The seagrass plant basket is designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your plastic nursery/growing pot. As it is not fully waterproof, you would need to put a saucer inside to catch the excess water.
Key Features:
- Material: Seagrass
- Dimensions: 11.47” (width), 12.84” (height)
- Color: Natural seagrass color (light beige)
- Drainage: No (use with a nursery pot and saucer)
- Use: Indoors (avoid getting it wet)
Who’s It For?
This is a great light-weight option that is ideal for large heavy plants. The 0.3kg weight of the plant basket will not slow you down as you move your fiddle leaf fig outdoors to catch some summer sun.
There is also a smaller size option which would be great for your smaller plants, such as the root-bound snake plant or a young palm.
This option is perfect for the thrifty-minded and is multi-functional (it would look great as a storage hamper or an eye-catching piece of home decor).
Best Premium: Léon & George Ceramic Planter – The Twelve
Credit: Leon and George
Highlights:
This ceramic planter has a beautiful hand-finished design. It is crafted with premium high-fired stoneware and finished with a waterproof matte glaze – so no leaks on your lovely furniture or floors!
The pot comes with an option handcrafted hardwood stand which gives your fiddle leaf fig a little extra height. The stands are made from teak and finished with natural oil.
There is no drainage hole, so it should be used as a cachepot only for your fiddle leaf fig (with a drainage nursery pot inside).
Key Features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Dimensions: 12.6” (inside dimension), 13.4” (outside dimension), 13” (height), 20” (height including stand)
- Color: White, gray, coral, black (Stand: light wood, dark wood, black wood or no stand)
- Drainage: No
- Use: Indoor and outdoor
Who’s It For?
The ceramic planter is perfect for fiddle leaf figs of all sizes and growth stages as it comes in multiple sizes, including 10” and 14” as well as the 12”.
Best Drainage: 10” Terracotta Plant Pot With Drainage Hole And Saucer
Highlights:
This handcrafted terracotta clay pot is ideal for the sensitive fiddle leaf fig as the porous material helps air and water to flow.
The drainage system and matching saucer can help your plant to avoid root rot.
The minimalist design and smooth matte finish are sure to suit any interior and will not detract from the beauty of your fiddle leaf fig. The pot comes with a stainless-steel drainage mesh net to prevent soil leakage and a protective pad to protect your furniture.
Key Features:
- Material: Terracotta
- Dimensions: 9” (interior diameter), 10” (height)
- Color: Brown terracotta
- Drainage: Yes (and comes with a matching terracotta saucer)
- Use: Indoor
Who’s It For?
There are lots of size options to suit your whole plant collection. Just a few of the sizes available include 4” (perfect for succulents), 6” (great for younger plants that are not yet fully grown) and the 10” for your fiddle leaf fig.
Best Aesthetic: Léon & George Scandinavian – The Ten
Credit: Leon and George
Highlights:
This sleek, two-piece pot comes with a deep overflow saucer to help your plant avoid the perils of stagnant water.
The pot is beautifully crafted from stoneware and is high-fired to ensure durability. The pot’s high-quality all-over glaze means that it can be used indoors and outdoors.
Key Features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Dimensions: 10” (diameter)
- Color: White, sand, gray or black
- Drainage: Yes (and comes with a deep overflow saucer!)
- Use: Indoor and outdoor
Who’s It For?
This 10″ variety is great for fiddle leaf fig plants that are not quite fully grown (usually aged between 5 – 10 years).
Best Repotting Kit: Bloomscape’s Repotting Kit – 12” Pot
Highlights:
This great repotting kit from Bloomscape includes one 16” round Ecopot and two 8-quart bags of premium potting soil.
The matching saucer and drainage hole are important features for your fiddle leaf fig. But what really makes this product is the convenience of getting your pot (and an eco-friendly one at that) and your repotting soil together.
Key Features:
- Material: 80% recycled plastic
- Dimensions: Diameter: 11.8”, Height: 10.25”
- Color: Stone, clay, charcoal, slate, indigo
- Drainage: Yes (and it comes with a matching saucer)
- Use: Indoor
Who’s It For?
This 12” pot is great for mature fiddle leaf figs (10 year old and plus), and especially one that has outgrown its old pot or become overly root-bound. (Check to see if the roots are growing out of the drainage hole or seem cramped.)
The Ecopot does come in other sizes which might suit younger fiddle leaf figs more, including a 10” and 16” option (depending on availability).
Best Pot Accessory: Bloomscape’s Ecopots Saucer on Wheels 13”
Highlights:
In terms of fiddle leaf fig accessories, it’s hard to beat Bloomscape’s Ecopots Saucer on Wheels. This clever contraption allows you to move large heavy plants (like 9-foot fiddle leaf figs) with ease.
The heavy-duty caster wheels give smooth movement, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally toppling your beloved houseplant.
As with the pots in Bloomscape’s Ecopots range, the saucers are made with 80% recycled plastic.
Key Features:
- Material: 80% recycled plastic
- Dimensions: 13.39” (diameter), 4.13” (height)
- Colors: Stone, clay, charcoal, slate, indigo
- Drainage: No
- Use: Indoor only
Who’s It For?
This 13” saucer is designed to work with Bloomscape’s 12” pots. 12” pots pair well with larger plants, including fiddle leaf figs, palms and monstera.
Buying Guide
5 Useful Tips For Choosing The Best Pot For Fiddle Leaf Figs
#1 Choose a Good Pot With Water Drainage
Good drainage is essential for fiddle leaf figs as a defense against over-watering.
A drainage hole or two will help excess water drain away quickly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. This is important as fiddle leaf figs are very susceptible to root rot, which can kill the plant.
If your plant’s leaves are turning brown or starting to droop, this could be a sign of overwatering. Avoid these symptoms getting worse by reducing your watering and swapping to a smaller pot or one with better drainage.
#2 Don’t Get a Pot That’s Too Big
You might think that because fiddle leaf figs grow very tall, they need an extra large pot, but this isn’t the case.
Actually, a pot that is too large can harm your fiddle leaf fig as the excess soil won’t dry out quickly enough.
Select a pot that the root ball will fit in comfortably and is just 3 – 4 inches wider than the previous one.
#3 Make Sure It’s Not TOO Deep
Select a pot that is just 1 – 2 inches taller than the previous pot.
Although fiddle leaf figs are quite adaptable when it comes to different pot depths, huge changes in pot depth may not accommodate the root ball. For example if you are going from a deep container to a shallow wider one, you may need to trim some roots or choose a different pot.
#4 Focus on Pot Size, Not Pot Shape
The shape of the pot is not a crucial element as fiddle leaf figs will happily adapt to planters of different shapes.
Just make sure the new pot is not much larger than the old one. If the new pot holds a lot more soil than the old pot, this might lead to over-watering.
#5 Fiddle Leaf Figs Love Terracotta Pots
Fiddle leaf figs are not too fussy about pot material.
Plastic nursery pots are good because they offer great drainage – even for mature plants. Hide the unappealing plastic pot by keeping it inside a more appealing pot.
However, terracotta is particularly ideal for fiddle leaf figs due to their sensitivity to over-watering. Terracotta – a porous clay – absorbs some of the excess moisture from the soil, helping your plant to avoid root rot, and improves air circulation to the roots.
But large terracotta pots can become very heavy if your plant is large.
Ceramic pots are a lighter option, but can be expensive at the size a fiddle leaf fig will need and many don’t have drainage holes.
FAQ
What type of pot is best for fiddle leaf fig?
Terracotta pots are ideal for plants that are sensitive to overwatering, such as the fiddle leaf figs, due to their moisture absorbing qualities.
The soil dries out quicker in a terracotta pot compared to a plastic or treated ceramic one, which your fiddle leaf fig will appreciate.
Do fiddle leaf plants need a big pot?
Fiddle leaf figs actually prefer a snug pot over an extra large one. An oversized pot can encourage problems with drainage and excessive moisture due to the excess soil.
How often should I repot my fiddle leaf fig?
As slow-growers, fiddle leaf figs only need repotting every 2 or 3 years. Watch for the roots growing out of the drainage hole.
What’s the best method for repotting fiddle leaf figs?
How to repot fiddle leaf figs:
- Fill the new container with 4 inches of soil.
- Place the plant in the new container and fill with soil.
- Water your plant generously.
- Let your plant dry. (Remember to empty the saucer!)
- Wait one month, then fertilize.
What is the best soil for fiddle leaf figs?
The best fiddle leaf fig soil is one that is fast-draining to reduce the chances of root rot taking hold.
Try a nutrient-rich soil with high levels of organic matter and a pH level of between pH 5.5 and pH 7.
How often should I water my fiddle leaf figs?
Wait for the soil to dry out before watering. Test the top few inches of soil with your finger to know when to water your sensitive fiddle leaf fig.
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my fiddle leaf fig?
A layer of gravel or styrofoam at the bottom of your pot can help water drainage if there is no drainage hole and you are reluctant to drill a hole in your pot.
But this method of drainage is not recommended as it is very easy to over-water and stagnant water will build-up anyway.
Instead, choose a pot that already has good drainage, use a cachepot (a good draining nursery pot sitting inside a prettier, but less well draining pot) or use a pot and saucer combination.
The Bottom Line
Fiddle leaf figs are satisfied with most pots that have decent drainage and are not overly large. But the excellent drainage, matching saucer and eco credentials of Bloomscape’s 12” Ecopot make it a cut above the rest.
Combining sleek design with quality and effective moisture management, the Ecopot is ideal for mature fiddle leaf figs (10 – 15 years old).
The porous 10” Terracotta Plant Pot With Drainage Hole And Saucer is the best option for combating over-watering. But anyone with an eye for aesthetics (and the other eye on your purse) will love the Woven Seagrass Plant Basket from Houseplant Resource Center.
A Reminder of the Essential Fiddle Leaf Fig Pot Features:
- Drainage is key! Opt for a pot with multiple drainage holes for best results.
- Oversized pots make over-watering worse. A pot 3 – 4 inches wider than the previous one is ideal.
- Fiddle leaf figs like to feel a little snug. Choose a pot that is just slightly bigger than the root ball.
Why not treat your wider houseplant collection to a pot revamp? Check out the full pot collections from Léon and George and Bloomscape here.
Want to learn more about fiddle leaf fig plant care? Read my article on the best fertilizers for fiddle leaf fig plants here.
