Many houseplants are easy to grow, even if you’re just starting out on your journey as a plant parent. Low-maintenance varieties such as spider plants, pothos, ZZ plant, and aloe vera can withstand the occasional misstep, tolerate a wide range of conditions, and survive occasional (or frequent) neglect.

Then there are the fussy, high-maintenance giants of the houseplant world: your light-loving bird of paradise, moisture-loving Boston fern, and colorful crotons, which have a habit of dropping those rainbow-hued leaves if you sneeze in their direction.

Another houseplant that’s known for dropping its leaves without warning? A lush, dignified fig with fiddle leaves, which can go from being the star of your plant collection to a large twig seemingly overnight.

Why the Fiddle Leaf Fig is not a houseplant for beginners

With its large, lyre-shaped leaves and ability to grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, it’s only natural that newbie houseplants want to try growing this beautiful tropical tree.

Native to the rainforests of Central and West Africa, figs have evolved to thrive in warm, moist conditions with very well-drained soil and plenty (but not too much) of indirect light. They even benefit from being a little pot-bound – a pro for any budding gardener.

That sounds like a lot of plants we grow indoors in temperate regions, doesn’t it? But fiddle leaf figs can be happy in the conditions you give them for months or years, then suddenly suffer with what seems like very little (or seemingly no) change in care.

Too much or too little water, insufficient light, the shock of a sudden change in growing conditions – all of this can cause terrible leaf drop. First, the leaves begin to turn yellow at their bases, then develop brown spots, and then fall off completely. Once it starts, there is nothing to do but try to save a few cuttings with healthy leaves and try again. You may be able to nurse a stripped fig leaf back to life, but its leaves will not grow back in their original places.

If this wasn’t traumatic enough for the novice gardener, the fact that fiddle-leaf figs tend to be more expensive – especially if you buy them as beautiful, tall specimens. That can be a lot of money to gamble on such a finicky, fickle plant.

Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting tricks and more!

Why the rubber factory is an alternative for beginners

If you’re a novice gardener looking for a tall houseplant with jungle green vibes, there’s a safer bet than a fig tree. Instead of blowing your houseplant budget on high-risk figs, try starting with its laid-back cousin, the rubber plant. This fellow Ficus it grows faster, is just as beautiful and much more forgiving – not to mention generally more affordable.

If it’s dramatic height you’re after, rejoice – rubber plants can grow rapidly, up to two meters each year in optimal indoor conditions.

In addition to their beauty and height, rubber plants are much easier to care for than fiddle leaf figs. Their Achilles’ heel is overwatering, so err on the side of neglect and you’ll be fine – especially in winter, when they benefit from little or no water. Keep them away from sudden temperature changes, give them lots of indirect light and average humidity and watch them thrive.

Even better? Rubber plants are very easy to propagate—which means if you run into problems, you can try growing some healthy growing tips into new plants, or enjoy sharing props from a healthy plant with friends.

Part of the joy of houseplant care is learning from your mistakes. I’ve learned more from the specimens I’ve killed (or nearly killed) in my 15-year plant journey than the ones I’ve helped thrive. But there’s no reason to invest big money in a fiddle leaf fig when you’re just starting out. Instead, save your pennies and wait until you get used to something lighter and more affordable, like rubber.