Since fiddle leaf figs experience the most of their new growth towards the top, the bottom leaves are typically the oldest.
Bottom leaves typically droop and finally fall off since the tree no longer requires them.
The dropped leaves are free of brown spots
Brown spots are the most common indicator of health issues in fiddle leaf figs, so if your tree is losing lower leaves that are generally unblemished, without brown spots or dots, and with little to no crispiness, it is likely just normal, healthy leaf fall and does not portend a more serious problem.
Dropped leaves may be a little yellow
Yellowing on fallen leaves is usually not a problem, but brown areas should be taken seriously. If your tree has many yellowing leaves, it may be receiving too much water, not enough light, or not enough fertilizer. However, if a lower leaf yellows and falls off, the tree is no longer caring for that leaf and is just done with it.
In conclusion, you can relax if your tree periodically drops a lower leaf that is typically unmarked but maybe a touch yellow. Your fiddle is in good health and only going through a normal process.
Do fiddle leaf fig bottom leaves grow back?
It is rather simple to identify the root of your fiddle leaf fig’s negative attitude if it is anything other than green and full. Indoor fiddle leaf figs typically have a problem with either light, irrigation, or both. You can restore its health with a little work before it’s too late. Simply keep an eye out for the warning symptoms listed below and administer the appropriate treatment.
One thing to remember with fiddle leaf figs is that once a leaf is injured, it can’t truly be repaired. We’re diagnosing the issue and taking action to maintain the plant’s health going ahead. The tree will likely stop providing energy to the injured leaves when new growth begins to emerge, and they will eventually dry up and fall off. Last week, I got home to precisely that circumstance. The lowest leaf on the tree with damage was this one. The plant consumed all of its resources until it was entirely dried out, at which point it let go of it.
Unlike rubber plants, which can recover fallen leaves, fiddle leaf figs cannot. Because once the leaf is gone, it’s gone, maintaining their health is crucial.
Should I remove the fiddle leaf fig’s bottom leaves?
You should be aware of what those bottom leaves do before selecting when to remove them.
Lower foliage has the same function as that fresh, vibrant growth up top: the leaves work to mix that green chlorophyll, commonly known as “the meat of the leaf,” with sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce sap, the plant’s own sweet food.
So let them alone if you want the trunk, roots, and new growth to continue receiving energy from the sun through the foliar producers and absorbing it.
Another advantage of the lower leaves is that this is typically where the most frequent watering issues show up. To put it another way, many owners of fiddles may detect overwatering and underwatering based on early warning indicators from these bottom leaves. You lose access to one of the plant’s early warning systems if you remove them.
Keep in mind that the lower leaves should be saved for the very last stage of shaping because they AID in giving the tree its characteristic shape.
Once more, deciding whether or not to remove these lower leaves depends on what they do for the plant.
How can a fiddle leaf fig be encouraged to produce more leaves?
Fiddle Leaf Figs can be encouraged to branch by notching, which doesn’t entail the plant’s height being reduced. Instead, tiny cuts or “notches” are made all the way up and down the stem or trunk to promote the formation of new growth lower on the plant.
There are two distinct notching patterns. The first slashes diagonally through the FLF trunk at a depth of about one-third, immediately above a leaf or node. Similar in nature, the second involves two cuts and the removal of a tiny “chunk” or piece of the trunk. To remove a small portion of the trunk, make the two slices just 1-2 mm apart.
It might be challenging to properly notch a plant without accidently decapitating it or cutting too deeply. It’s unquestionably a more sophisticated technique with variable outcomes. If you want to try it, I also advise going numerous notches. Not all of them have a 100% success rate. So if you want two or three branches, you might want to do six notches.
The best stem for notching is one that is more aged or woody. It might be advisable to wait till your FLF stem reaches maturity if it is still green before attempting to notch.
Tips for Notching:
- You may have more control over the notch with a craft knife than with a pair of cutters.
- Directly above a leaf or node, cut the notch.
- Cut the notch diagonally, about a third of the way into the stem’s depth.
Why are my fiddle leaf fig’s lower leaves fading to brown?
Brown leaves on a fiddle leaf fig are most frequently caused by a fungal infection from the roots sitting in excessive dampness.
Root rot is brought on by excessive watering and inadequate drainage, and it spreads from the plant’s roots to its leaves. A fiddle leaf fig’s roots need to somewhat dry out between waterings for healthy growth. The fungal infection will eventually cause the leaves to slowly turn brown and then fall off.
Removing the pot and looking at the roots is the only way to be confident that your plant has root rot.
Why are my fiddle leaf fig’s lower leaves turning yellow?
Is your violin being picky? Some of the most striking and lovely houseplants you can own are fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata), but they can also have a number of perplexing issues. Use this brief reference to help you spot and fix the most typical problems with these lovely trees!
Yellowing Leaves
One of the most frequent issues with fiddle leaf figs is yellow, discolored leaves, which is frequently brought on by a well-intentioned caregiver who has simply overwatered the plant. Although the soil shouldn’t be continually wet or drenched in moisture, fiddles grow in a moderately damp environment. The roots may rot as a result of over watering, especially if there is inadequate drainage, which will result in dull-looking leaves.
How to Correct It
Check the pot first; clogged drainage holes or even a lack of drainage holes may be the source of the issue with your fiddle leaf fig. Give the pot extra time to dry out in between waterings if the water can escape in some way. If the soil is dry up to your second knuckle, check the soil every day with your finger and water it once more.
Other Possible Causes:
Lighting requirements for fiddles are somewhat specific; they require an abundance of bright indirect light. When a source of bright light is nearby but not directly overhead, fiddles thrive. It might be the ideal place for your fiddle if your house has a location that receives indirect light from two windows (perhaps a south-facing and east-facing, or south-facing and west-facing).
Dropping Leaves
Overwatering may have caused the yellowing of your plant’s leaves before they fell off. Your fiddle leaf fig may be suffering from severe temperatures, but, if the leaves appeared to be a typical color before dropping off the tree.
How to Fix It: Look for any vents or potential heat sources around your plant. Your plant may become stressed and lose leaves quickly if there are drafts from chilly air conditioning or too much heat. If required, relocate your fiddle to a room with steady lighting and temperatures.
Presence of Insects or Damaged Leaves
An infestation of pests is never good news, but it’s also not always the end of the world. To identify pest issues early, check your fiddle leaf fig frequently, paying careful attention to the undersides of the foliage. Act immediately if you spot any clear indications of bugs, such as webbing, tiny holes, discolored “dots,” or the insects themselves. The more quickly you address the problem, the simpler it will be!
A natural pesticide like insecticidal soap, neem oil, antiseptic, or pyrethrin spray can be used to control the majority of houseplant pests. Always follow the directions on the packaging, and reapply as needed for a few weeks to make sure your unwanted guests are completely gone.
White or Tan Patches
Your plant has a sunburn, oh no! When maintained in direct sunlight, fiddle leaf figs frequently have this issue. (It’s a shame that SPF isn’t available for houseplants!)
To disperse the strength of the rays, consider moving the plant to a position with less direct light or covering the light source with a sheer drape. You might choose to remove the worst-damaged leaves for aesthetic reasons as they won’t grow back.
Black or Brown Spots on Leaves
Even though the source of various illnesses may differ, the symptoms and the associated treatments may be the same. Fiddle leaf fig infections can be quite challenging to treat, but it’s worth a shot.
Lack of moisture may be to blame for browning if the leaves are dry and crisp. Make sure you’re watering your plant properly and that the area around it is relatively humid.
Too much fertilizer application can harm or discolor foliage and burn roots. To flush your plant, water it completely. In the future, fertilizer must always be used after watering.
Do you have a fiddle leaf fig issue that isn’t covered on this list? Visit our garden center in Newport Beach and don’t forget to snap lots of pictures. You may get specialized guidance from our indoor plant experts to help you heal your violin!
How frequently do fiddle leaf fig leaves reappear?
Fiddle Leaf Figs are infamously difficult to grow. There are a few typical maladies of this plant, like brown spots and leaf drop, that can make it sick or, worse, fast bring about its demise. The secret to keeping your plant happy and healthy is to keep an eye out for them and catch them early. Keep an eye out for these indications of a possibly sick fiddle leaf fig.
Brown spots on the leaves
The leaves of fiddle leaf figs are incredibly prone to browning. Brown spots that start to form and spread should be investigated even though a few small markings here and there are not a cause for concern.
Due to two opposing factors—either overwatering or underwatering—most brown patches on fiddles are unfortunately difficult to diagnose. Here’s how to distinguish between them:
Overwatering, which results in root rot, is probably to blame for brown patches that appear in the center of the leaf and spread outward. A fungal illness called root rot will eventually kill your plant by spreading to the leaves. You should repot your plant as soon as possible if it has root rot. Take the plant out of the ground, wash the roots thoroughly, and cut off any that are brown or mushy. After that, repot the plant in new soil with adequate drainage and remove the damaged leaves.
Are the brown spots on your fiddle beginning at the outside border of the leaves and moving inside? The plant is probably too dry for this to be the cause. Give your Fiddle a thorough rinse, and make sure it’s not too close to any heaters or air vents because that will likely cause the plant to dry out more quickly than is desired.
Finally, trauma may cause brown spots to form at random. A plant can suffer trauma just by changing homes (i.e. changing environments). If only one or two of your plant’s brown, damaged leaves are present, remove them at the stem and give your plant some time to heal.
The new growth is smaller than the older leaves
A healthy plant always shows new development, and if your Fiddle’s leaves are getting big and strong, your plant is doing fine.
The presence of little, stunted new leaves, however, may indicate that your plant is deficient in nutrients. Consider repotting your plant if it has been a while since you gave it fresh soil, or just fertilize it in the spring and summer to give it the extra nutrients it requires.
Dropping leaves
Fiddle Leaf Figs can appear to drop their leaves out of nowhere. One leaf here and there is normal; but, if several leaves have fallen off in a short period of time, you must act quickly to rescue the tree. Once more, underwatering or overwatering are the most likely causes of leaf drop in fiddle leaf figs. How then can you distinguish between them? Look at the direction in which the leaves are falling from the plant: if the older leaves (at the bottom) are dropping first, overwatering is probably the cause. On the other hand, if the plant’s leaves are falling off all around, it’s probably not getting enough water. Here are a few more techniques for differentiating.
Leaves turning yellow
Do your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves appear to be yellow? There are several potential reasons:
inadequate lighting Fiddle Leaf Figs require as much direct, strong light as they can get. Even a little direct sunshine is acceptable, but stay away from locations with medium or low light. Remember that a Fiddle that receives insufficient light is more likely to overwater.
a lackluster diet. Due to a deficiency of nutrients in the soil, your Fiddle plant may have yellow leaves. You may want to attempt fertilizing it with liquid fertilizer.
Pests. If fiddles are being attacked by insects, their leaves may also turn yellow. If you have a suspicion that this is the case, thoroughly check the leaves’ top and bottom surfaces for any potential bugs.
Stunted or slowed growth
During the spring and summer, healthy fiddles typically produce new leaves every four to six weeks. It’s possible to see your plant add numerous new leaves in only a few days or weeks because growth usually occurs in spurts. It’s typical for there to be no new growth during the winter. Again, if you don’t observe the expected growth in this plant, it may require new nutrients in the form of a quality plant fertilizer.
Dirty or dusty leaves
When was the last time you washed your plant’s leaves? Plants breathe through their leaves in addition to absorbing sunlight through them. Your plant won’t be able to carry out either of these tasks as effectively as we’d like if a layer of dust is present on its huge leaves. A fantastic technique to keep your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant bright, healthy, and vibrant is to clean the leaves every few months. You may read about various cleaning techniques for your fiddle leaf fig here.
Fiddle Leaf Figs are known to be pickier than most plants, despite the fact that they can be quite low maintenance. Maintain a regular watering routine, fertilize in the spring and summer, and most importantly, ensure that your plant receives enough light year-round (yes, this may require moving it in the winter!). Keep a watch out for any of these symptoms since treating them quickly is essential to keeping your plant healthy and looking nice.
This article was modified from Claire Akin’s Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource. For additional information on how to take care of the fiddle leaf fig, see their website.