We questioned our farmer about the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Alocasia, two plants that are particularly prone to winter leaf drop. It is well known that these plants require a little more care.
The absence of sunlight, coupled with cool temperatures and low humidity, are the most frequent causes of aloe leaf drop. Consider purchasing a humidifier and grow light to help it survive the colder months.
Alocasia plants receive increased heat and humidity in the greenhouse, therefore it seems sense that these plants would struggle in the winter when indoor temperatures and humidity are significantly lower.
When transplanted from their preferred location, Fiddle Leaf Fig plants can experience shock, but our smaller variety, Ficus lyrata bambino, is less picky. However, if it changes its environment for the winter, it might still be a little cranky. Additionally, fiddles are picky about their water and humidity conditions. Similar to how Alocasia leaf drop can be treated, Fiddle Leaf Fig leaf drop can be treated by providing additional lighting and humidity for plant health.
Does the Fiddle Leaf Fig typically shed its leaves?
Nothing is more scary for many fiddle leaf fig owners than discovering that their cherished plant has lost a leaf—or, *gasp*, several leaves!
Take a deep breath before you start watering, repotting, purchasing grow lights, moving your plant outside, or looking for insects out of sheer fear.
The good news is that fiddle leaf figs occasionally dropping one or two leaves here and there is actually natural and beneficial.
Because they are always producing new leaves, all plants eventually lose their old ones. Older leaves may just fall off while new leaves are produced by the tree to take their place.
Here are several indicators that the leaf-dropping on your fiddle is normal and not a reason for alarm.
How are fiddle leaf figs preserved over the winter?
You’ve probably heard about how picky fiddle leaf figs are, as well as how harsh they can be when given poor care. If you’ve never taken care of one before, this can be scary. However, as fiddle leaf figs are one of the most common indoor plants, many beginners have had success cultivating them. Read up on these ten Fiddle Leaf Fig care commandments if you’re new to the game as well.
1. Verify that there is drainage The condition of your plant’s root system determines how healthy it is overall. Water and oxygen are two things that roots require to keep healthy. Your plant must be able to breathe properly for both of these to be in harmony. As a result, you should check to see if your planter or pot has a drainage hole as one of the first things to do. Keep your plant in its plastic nursery pot and slide it inside the ornamental container if the decorative planter you want to use doesn’t have one. At Lon & George, we actually pot all of our plants in this manner because it enables us to use svelte and fashionable planters and also ensures the safety and health of our plants’ roots.
In addition to draining, you need let some oxygen reach the roots. Aerating the soil occasionally is one approach to make sure the roots receive enough oxygen. You only need a chopstick and a few minutes to complete this.
2. Avoid overwatering It’s crucial to give your Fiddle Leaf Fig some time to dry out between waterings. This will keep them content because it mimics the conditions of their home environment. Although it may seem like a fairly straightforward operation, beginners with this plant frequently overwater it. Overwatering can result in more serious problems like root rot, which can hasten your plant’s mortality. Watering your Fiddle Leaf Fig no more than once per week is a good general rule of thumb. Never water a plant without first checking the soil; it might not need it as much as you believe.
What should you do if a fiddle leaf fig loses all of its leaves?
Similar to root rot, bacterial infections can spread and kill fiddle leaf figs, but if you discover the disease early enough, you can still save your fiddle. Use a fresh pair of shears or a knife to carefully remove the afflicted leaves from the tree if you find medium-brown patches on the leaves all over the tree. Don’t compost the leaves; instead, throw them away!
Repotting the plant into new soil and a clean pot may also be a good idea. For a while, ease off on the water and make sure your tree receives enough sunshine. It should soon get better!
Yellowing leaves
Yellowing leaves are typically a warning sign of excessive irrigation or poor lighting. But those are simple fixes! A nitrogen deficiency that can be easily remedied by incorporating a mild liquid fertilizer into your usual maintenance is indicated by yellow leaves.
Since Fiddle Leaf Fig Food is specifically formulated for fiddles and is meant to be used with each watering, you won’t need to keep track of a schedule, thus we highly recommend it! easiest solution ever!
How frequently should Fiddle Leaf Figs be watered in the winter?
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications.
There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications. There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Not sure of the next time to water? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture meter, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
Having trouble deciding when to water your fiddle leaf fig? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture meter, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
Do fiddle leaf figs need direct sunlight?
Although they can withstand moderate sunlight, it’s not their preferred environment. It’s a good idea to put the plant near a south or west-facing window, but not directly in the sun, as it prefers steady, ambient light. They can tolerate up to six hours a day of direct sunlight, if necessary.
Finding a location where the conditions are as consistent as possible throughout the day is the finest thing you can do for these plants as they are creatures of habit. Placing your plant in low light is one thing you must never do.
Can my plant go outside?
Of course, you can take care of your fiddle leaf fig outside given the correct circumstances. It might perhaps act and develop to a height of more than 40 feet if you locate it in the ideal location. Your garden should, however, be entirely frost-free and never drop below 50 degrees at night in order to prevent any issues.
On summer days, you should use caution as well. Keep your plant from getting too hot too quickly and water it frequently so the roots have access to moisture all the time. Similar to when you keep it as a house plant, you should be watchful of how much direct sunshine it gets.
Why do the leaves turn brown?
You have some homework to complete if the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig are starting to turn brown. There are several potential causes, but light and water are the most frequent ones.
In most cases, water is the culprit if the edges of the leaves are becoming brown. If just the lower leaves are impacted, overwatering has created root rot. The likelihood of the plant being thirsty increases if all of the leaves are going crispy. Unhappy leaves that are going brown in the middle show that the plant needs more humidity since it is receiving too much light.
What’s the difference between a fiddle leaf bush and a tree?
An established fiddle leaf tree can cost hundreds of dollars, so you’ll probably end up nurturing a smaller plant to grow tall. Ficus lyrata likes to grow straight up if left unattended, but you can encourage branching by either pruning the new growth or notching the stem.
To notch, choose where you want a new branch to grow and make a 1/8-inch cut into the stem just above a node using a clean knife. The node should produce a new branch. The lower leaves can then be removed when your plant appears very healthy.
Should I mist my plant?
When caring for any rainforest plant, especially in the winter, misting is a need. Fiddle leafs prefer a humidity level of 65 percent, which is substantially higher than that of most houses.
Filling a spray bottle and leaving it next to the plant is the ideal method for misting. You can regularly spritz it with room-temperature water in this manner. Misting your plant is very crucial after dusting its leaves. For your plant, a humidifier is ideal if you can afford one, but regular misting with a spray bottle should suffice.
How long does it take for the plant to grow?
Most fiddle leaves can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors. They might even outgrow your home if they’re truly content. However, that may take up to 15 years. Of course you two want to stay together for that long, but it can be difficult to wait for a plant straight out of a magazine.
These are not the quickest-growing plants, but with proper care and fertilization, the 18-inch bush you purchased from the garden center should mature into a respectable-sized tree in 34 years.
Should I cut off brown spots off the leaves?
Although brown stains on the leaves are unsightly, you shouldn’t immediately remove them. After all, in order to photosynthesize, the plant requires its leaves. Your plant won’t thrive if the leaves are pulled out as soon as spotting appears.
Your plant is attempting to tell you something when its leaves turn brown, whether it’s water, fertilizer, sunshine, or pest control. The best course of action is to try to identify the issue, fix it, and then postpone pinching off the damaged leaves until your plant has produced some healthy new growth.
Are fiddle leaf fig toxic?
Yes. We’re not talking about plants that are aesthetically pleasing but dangerous here, but if you have kids or animals in your house, you should be cautious of them around any Ficus family plant, including your fiddle leaf fig.
A healthy adult won’t suffer long-term consequences from ingesting the plant, but cats, dogs, and small people can get hurt from the calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves. A burning, irritated mouth, trouble swallowing, drooling, and vomiting are indications of an adverse response. Consult a doctor straight away if you believe that your child or pet may have consumed a portion of the plant.
The latest in plant care tips for keeping your foliage happy and healthy, brought to you by premium plant delivery service Lon & George.
It’s normal for plants to get the occasional brown spot or discolored leaf as they get older. In order to keep our plants looking attractive throughout the seasons, we must trim and prune them. Here’s how to maintain their appearance.
Start with the bottom leaves and work your way up, using a pair of clean scissors.
Follow the leaf’s natural shape when pruning; this requires some skill and practice. Consider organic curves rather than angular shapes.
3. In order to avoid opening a new wound, you should ideally leave some of the brown edge. If you do cut into the leaf, help the damaged edges dry by covering them with tissue paper.
Bonus advice: Don’t go overboard! Observe your plant’s shape from a distance. It’s acceptable to leave a few spots that are discolored, particularly if they add to the general fullness and beauty of your plant’s natural shape.
Do figs hibernate during the winter?
Figs fascinate a lot of gardeners. The extent of interest struck me when I gave away a scrawny, dormant fig plant that I had donated for a raffle and the winner informed me she had gotten several bids to buy it. Figs (Ficus carica and cvs., Zones 610), which are a symbol of family for those with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ancestry, are a staple food. There are tales of plants that were propagated through the generations from Old World cuttings. There is also a sensory component. According to my neighbor Andreas, the fig trees’ enticing aroma transports him back to his native Greece. Others are drawn to the fruit because it is juicy and has a hint of the exotic that they were amazed they could cultivate.
At a glance | Pests and diseases
- Smaller bushes can be netted, individual fruits can be covered with mesh bags, or a motion-activated sprinkler can be installed to stop animals from stealing fruit.
- Root-knot nematodes make the roots bulge, which might hinder growth and produce subpar fruit. They most frequently cause issues in sandy, light soil. Consider growing plants in pots if nematode pressure makes it impossible for you to plant in the ground.
- Stunted growth and speckled leaves are two effects of the fig mosaic virus. Treat it as a condition to be managed because it is highly common and incurable. When conditions are favorable, symptoms are frequently outgrown by plants.
- A fungus called fig rust infects immature leaves, generating small, greenish-yellow spots that later grow and turn brown. In humid environments, where it might result in early plant defoliation and decreased output, it is a significant issue. It is more of an aesthetic issue elsewhere. By gathering and properly discarding fallen leaves, good sanitation can delay the spread of an outbreak and stop it from happening again the following year.
My motivation for cultivating figs is straightforward: The fruits don’t mature after being picked and are too perishable to ship when ripe. So I need to produce my own if I want to enjoy eating perfectly ripe fruit rather than just putting up with “fresh shop options.”
Get familiar with figs
Despite the fact that many people only identify fig plants with California or the Mediterranean region, they may be found in backyard landscaping wherever. They only need inventive gardeners to assist them in cooler climates.
With the exception of the warmest regions of North America, the plants are deciduous and go dormant throughout the winter. Contrary to popular belief, fig trees can withstand more cold. In certain cases, mature, dormant plants can withstand temperatures as low as 15 to 20F without suffering any harm. Fig hardiness is not a precise science, despite the fact that immature plants are more delicate than mature ones. Cold will harm fruit and young shoots before older, woodier stems. An already-dormant plant may endure frigid temperatures better than one that is actively growing. Other factors include wind, the length of the cold snaps, the plant’s exposure, and the magnitude of the temperature drop.
Numerous fig types yield more than one harvest annually. Although many types produce an early “breba harvest on wood from the previous year, the major late-summer crop grows on wood from the current year. But don’t look for blooms on a fig tree. A fig’s “fruit” is actually a cluster of small blooms arranged inside-out. While certain commercially available kinds need a little wasp to pollinate them in order to yield a crop, most figs produced in backyard gardens are “common figs,” which don’t need pollination.
Planting and summer care are straightforward
Finding an area with direct sunlight should be your primary priority when choosing a planting location. Other than that, figs are not particular about their soil and will grow in a variety of it as long as it is adequately drained. In the winter especially, wet roots might rot.
Fig roots are ferocious and voracious. Because they can mainly care for themselves, established in-ground plants are relatively easy to maintain. Weed growth beneath is typically negligible due to the dense mat of roots and the dense canopy of leaves that shades the ground. Apply compost as a top dressing to the soil surrounding fig plants every year. More frequent feeding may be required in sandy soil. To avoid producing plenty of leaves but no figs, avoid overfeeding. Until they become established, keep immature or recently transplanted figs well-watered.
Figs grown in containers need to be fed and watered frequently. It works well to use a balanced, all-purpose plant diet. Because figs drop leaves and immature fruit as soon as the soil becomes excessively dry, consistent watering is essential for potted plants. To provide a steady flow of moisture, you can use pots with reservoirs or set a saucer under the pot to absorb runoff when the plant is irrigated. As the soil dries, the water will wick back up into the container.
Prune and shape to keep the plant manageable
Figs are untidy plants that sucker and grow into a tangle of branches when neglected. Crossing branches should be pruned out. Be cautious that when a leaf is removed or a branch is clipped, a white, sticky sap may be left behind, which can irritate the skin. When working with fig trees, those with delicate skin should wear gloves.
The ultimate height of the plant can be chosen by the gardener, who can then regulate that height through trimming. When choosing container plants, take into account the height of the entrances they must pass through to get to winter storage. Consider the ease of harvest and whether a ladder will be needed when choosing in-ground plants.
In warm climates with minimal risk of winter damage, fig trees can grow to be branched trees between 15 and 30 feet tall with a broad canopy. Grow figs as shrubs rather than trees in locations where cold weather will cause shoot dieback. A bush can be more easily preserved by wrapping or burying if it has numerous branches rather than a single large trunk. Keep four to five sturdy stems on a plant to make it grow into a bush.
Plan ahead for a sweet harvest
Pruning the plant when it is dormant will increase the production of main-crop fruit because fresh growth is when main-crop figs form. After the breba harvest, prune the plant in the summer to produce more breba fruit by eliminating around one-third of the branches.
Fruit doesn’t need to be thinned. Pinch off figs, though, that aren’t likely to ripen in cooler climates. In order to slow down vegetative growth, some gardeners in cold climates even pinch out the shoot tip after three to five figs have grown.
Try to plant in a microclimate that gives extra heat when summer heat and season length are limiting factors for fruit ripening, such as a south-facing brick wall that accumulates heat during the day and radiates it at night. The cultivation of cultivars that yield a large amount of breba is another strategy for cold climates.