Question
Darlene,
I apologize if this is a repeat email...I tried to respond last night, but the computer said "Expert not taking questions right now."

The plant is approx. 4 ft tall. The soil does not appear to be soggy, moldy or rotting. The odor is strong on the leaves. Would it help to wash the leaves? The best way I can think of describing it is an odor similar to cat urine.

Is it something I can leave under a covered porch during the spring and summer? I live in Nebraska (very cold winters).

Thank you for your time,
Stacey
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Followup To

Question -
I purchased a plant at an estate sale yesterday. The sellers said it was a fig tree meant to be an indoor house plant. I think it is actually a fiddle leafed fig. My question: Is it normal for this type of plant to have an odor? It's a gorgeous plant, but the smell is difficult to live with. Not sure if this means anything, but it was sitting out in the rain the night before the sale.

Thank you for your time!
Stacey

Answer -
Stacey,

What kind of odor is it?  I have never owned a fiddle leaf fig but I have been around one occasionally and never noticed an odor. Can you sit it outside on a covered porch for the time being?  If not put it oudoors in a shady location, sun will sunburn it.  Does it smell moldy?  Or like the soil is rotting?  Is the soil really soggy?  Let me know and I'll see if I can suggest a solution. How tall is this tree?

Darlene

Answer
Stacey,

I would take the plant outdoors in a shady location and remove the drain tray under the plant, then take a hose and spray the leaves to clean anything off that you can. Also hose the soil in case there is cat urine there. Water the soil till the water runs out the bottom, then keep watering it for at least a full minute. That will wash anything out of the soil that is there. Then allow the plant to sit and drain for at least a half hour before you put the drain tray back under the plant and sit it on your porch. Yes, it will be fine there for the summer. It will need to go back indoors when the night time temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Hopefully by then the odor will be gone.

You might want to spread a bottle of cayenne pepper on top of the soil to keep any roving cats from using it as a litter box. Good luck.

Darlene