Ficus Lyrata “Fiddle Leaf Fig”

Fiddle Leaf Fig, or Ficus lyrata, is a large-leaved member of the fig family and a popular floor-standing houseplant.

This species originates in the tropics of West Africa, where in the wild it climbs up the trunks of larger trees before getting large enough to form its own trunk.

They are excellent small specimen houseplants, although they are also often used as large trees inside buildings.

The leaves are shaped like a lyre (an ancient guitar-like instrument), or fiddle (hence both its scientific and common names) and they can grow up to 40cm long. One of their most attractive features are the prominent pale veins that contrast nicely against the dark green leaves.