Tired of replacing your indoor fig tree three times a year when you (accidentally) kill it? We’ve got just the solution: A list of the best fiddle leaf fig alternatives that you can buy online, and have shipped straight to your door.
A recent darling of Instagram interior design photos everywhere, there’s no doubt that fiddle leaf fig trees make for gorgeous houseplants. They do, however, come with one big catch: They’re a delicate plant that requires special care and attention, making them prone to dying from even the smallest of mistakes.
That’s why we’ve surveyed some of our indoor gardening friends to bring you this list of plants similar to fiddle leaf fig trees — but before we get into our favorite alternatives, let’s take a quick look at why these little trees are so popular in the first place:
About Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
Ficus Lyrata, the fiddle leaf fig tree, is popular for good reason. Small enough to reside comfortably in an apartment, but with a generous foliage and deep green coloration, they are as close as many city-dwellers will get to spending time in the great outdoors.
Everyone from your grandmother to the latest home decor Instagrammer seems to be crazy about their fig trees, not least of which is because of how photogenic they are.
Still, the fiddle leaf fig is a high-maintenance house plant — and may not be everybody’s cup of tea for that very reason.
The 6 Best Fiddle Leaf Fig Alternatives for 2022
If you’re looking for something similar to the fiddle leaf fig, consider these other gorgeous house plants instead…
1. Monstera Deliciosa
Native to the tropical forests between southern Mexico and Panama, the “Swiss Cheese Plant” is just one of many varieties of Monstera plants.
Because of its preference for warmer temperatures and a moderately damp soil, in addition to its prolific growing habits, the Deliciosa makes an excellent plant for apartments and small houses.
By maintaining a steady temperature above 55 degrees — as any sane person will do in their apartment — the Monstera Deliciosa will continue to grow year round. It’s a great choice for people who love the size, interesting leaf shapes, and deep color of the fiddle leaf fig but want a hardier plant that’s easier to care for.
You’ll want to note, however, that this indoor plant can’t withstand much direct sunlight. It prefers bright but indirect light, so it may not be a great choice for anyone with abundant direct light in their living space.
Click here to check out a Monstera Deliciosa that you can order online.
2. Money Tree
Hailing from the swamps of Central and South America, Pachira Aquatica is known in myth and legend for its ability to bring prosperity to any house where it is grown.
Durable and well-adapted to a wide variety of conditions, the Money Tree is much hardier and more forgiving of mistakes than the fiddle leaf fig tree.
Anyone who has struggled to keep their fiddle leaf fig tree alive due to difficulties with finding a proper soil mixture will love the money tree. Planted in common potting soil, it will quickly adapt and require little in the way of extra nutrients.
Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need plenty of bright but indirect sunlight for the Money Tree to stay healthy and grow quickly. It’s not a great plant for low light situations,
Click here to check out a Money Tree that you can order online.
3. Snake Plant
Known by either of the botanical names dracaena or sansevieria trifasciata, you may also hear the Snake Plant referred to as “mother-in-law’s tongue” or “Saint George’s sword”.
While it’s certainly not a tree like the fiddle leaf fig, this vigorous perennial plant can reach sometimes amazing heights. What’s more, it’s even known for its capacity to improve air quality in the home!
Of all the fiddle leaf fig alternatives on this list, the Snake Plant is likely the easiest to grow and care for. It’s commonly recommended as a houseplant for beginning growers, as it is tolerant of both low light conditions and erratic watering schedules.
Of course, if you’re looking for a plant that can achieve the spread and coverage of a fiddle leaf fig, the Snake Plant may not be your best choice. The same goes for if you’re a chronic overwaterer: Having too much water around its roots is one of the few things that can kill this hardy plant.
Click here to check out a Snake Plant that you can order online.
4. Majesty Palm
In its natural state, the incredible ravenea rivularis can grow to be nearly 100 feet tall! Thankfully for indoor growers, the same Majesty Palm planted in a smaller pot will grow to a lush and respectable 4 to 6 feet — but not straight through your ceiling.
If you love the look of the fiddle leaf fig for its height and canopy spread, the Majesty Palm will be an even bigger upgrade. It’s a fantastic plant for creating a real “indoor jungle” feeling in your home, and a stately centerpiece for a living room that will be sure to draw oohs and aahs.
That said, the Majesty Palm is certainly no easier to care for than a fiddle leaf fig tree. You’ll still need special fertilizer for the soil, and to give it a daily misting so as to prevent browning leaf tips. Light requirements are average, with the Majesty Palm more sensitive to humidity and drainage problems than any changes in light availability.
Click here to check out a Majesty Palm that you can order online.
5. Golden Pothos
Also commonly known as devil’s vine, devil’s ivy, silver vine, hunter’s robe, and many other names, epipremnum aureum is a flowering plant native to the islands of French Polynesia.
Each of the many varieties of Pothos plants can sport a different leaf color, with light green, yellow, or white variegation. Capable of growing to well over 6 feet tall with proper care and trellising, the Golden Pothos makes an impressive addition to the corner of most rooms.
With its penchant for indirect light, infrequent watering, and moderate temperatures, the Pothos is almost perfectly suited for indoor growing. Even better, the entire plant can be grown from cuttings — meaning that if you have a Pothos, soon all of your friends can have one too!
You’ll need to add a liquid fertilizer every spring, and repot your Golden Pothos every 1 to 2 years; if you find this long-range planning intimidating, the Pothos may not be the right plant for your home.
Click here to check out a Golden Pothos that you can order online.
6. Bromeliad
As one of around 6000 species in the same genera, these beautiful flowering indoor plants are commonly grouped together under the umbrella term of “Bromeliads”. While the largest species can grow in excess of 10 feet tall, the Bromeliads we prefer in our own home will tend to grow to about 2 feet tall at most.
Adding a Bromeliad to your home instead of a fiddle leaf fig tree is a great choice if you’re looking for a smaller, more colorful houseplant. They also have the advantage of being lower maintenance, and more tolerant of adverse conditions — making them much easier to care for long-term.
The only downside? After a long flowering period, the mother plant will begin to shrivel and die. Before this, though, a batch of “pups” will sprout, which you can then replant (and have even more bromeliads!). If the idea of learning to plant from these pups is intimidating to you, the Bromeliad family may not be the perfect plant for your home.
Click here to check out a Bromeliad that you can order online.
Parting Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect House Plant
If you love the size, shape, and color of a fiddle leaf fig tree, but can’t deal with the high maintenance and constant upkeep, there are plenty of alternatives available to you! We hope that by sharing some of our favorite low-maintenance and gorgeously green houseplants with you, you’ll be able to find the perfect natural addition to your home.
