Although diagnosing root rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs early on is crucial if you want to save the plant, it does not always guarantee death. Remove your plant from its pot as soon as you notice any problems, and thoroughly examine the roots. Are the plants’ bases surrounded by a buildup of moisture? Are the roots becoming mushy or dark brown in color?
If so, repot your plant right away by taking the following actions:
Thoroughly rinse the roots with water. After cleaning them, use a pair of clean scissors or pruning shears to remove any that are broken.
Repot your plant in a new, well-draining container with fresh, quick-absorbing soil. To enhance drainage and aid in keeping your plant dry, you can think about placing some pebbles or a foam block at the bottom of your pot.
Because these plants are finicky about light, put your Fiddle in bright, indirect light and give it one watering. Until you are certain that the roots have dried up, do not water again. Depending on the size of the plant and the climate it lives in, this could take one to two weeks or longer. It’s usually best to err on the side of underwatering!
Repot your fiddle leaf fig in the well-draining container with new potting soil. Once more, water the plant and check to see if any extra water is draining out the bottom of the pot. then hold off. Until you are certain that the roots have had a chance to dry out, do not water again. To examine the soil at the base of your plant, you can also use a moisture meter.
Be patient and wait for the plant to stabilize since your plant may still lose a few leaves at first. Remove the leaves that have been severely damaged, and cut some of the leaves that have just minor damage to get rid of the brown edges. A good general rule is to not remove more than 30% of the plant at a time because doing so could further shock the plant. Whatever the situation, your Fiddle has a high chance of healing with a little water, light, and love!
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.
A fiddle leaf fig’s ability to withstand root rot
The huge, lush leaves of fiddle leaf figs make them Instagram-famous plants because they enhance the appearance of any indoor environment. They do considerably better outside and are not the easiest plants to grow indoors. However, as long as you provide your plant the finest cultural care available, it ought to be alright.
Root rot in figs causes soft, mushy, brown or black roots as well as browning leaves, drooping stems, foul-smelling soil, algae, and mold growth.
You need to repot your fiddle leaf fig right away if it develops root rot. Remove the plant from its previous container, wash out the dirt, cut off any rotting roots, and then plant it in a fresh container with enough drainage holes and soil that drains properly. To help the plant recuperate after being repotted, water it.
Use porous, airy soil, water the plant only when the soil is dry, inspect the drainage pores to make sure they are not blocked, and aerate the soil by poking holes in it with a chopstick to prevent root rot.
Potential Cause 1: Root Rot
Brown stains on the roots from a fungus caused by too much moisture. Root rot is brought by by over watering and bad drainage, and it eventually affects your plant’s leaves.
How to Correct It
Removing the pot and looking at the roots is the only way to be confident that your plant has root rot. Root rot is at blame if the roots are mushy and discolored. Let your plant dry out for around two weeks if there are only a few brown patches on the leaves so that the roots have enough time to heal.
Make sure your plant gets enough light, and remove any damaged leaves. If there are several brown patches, you should remove any brown, mushy roots and the affected leaves before repotting the plant and being careful not to overwater it in the future.
Potential Cause 2: Bacterial Infection
In addition to the brown spots, your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves will yellow as a result of bacterial leaf spot. In contrast to bacterial leaf spot, which causes the leaf to turn yellow as the brown spot spreads, root rot often causes the leaves to remain dark green with brown patches. Your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves will eventually drop off due to both bacterial leaf spot and root rot. Since bacterial leaf spot tends to feed on new growth, it is likely to be to fault if your younger leaves are suffering more than your older leaves.
Unfortunately, this is the Fiddle Leaf Fig condition that is most difficult to treat. It can already be too late for your plant, even with the right care and watering. Cut off all of the leaves that have brown spots if the damage is not severe, then repot your plant in new, sterile soil. While it is healing, give it lots of light and don’t water as frequently.
Potential Cause 3: Insect Damage
Although uncommon, insect illnesses leave clear signs. Check your plant for webs or insects using a magnifying glass. Small patches that develop into holes on the leaves are a sure sign of insect damage.
Treatment for insect infestations is simple. Use neem oil products made specifically for indoor plants. Alternately, you might make your own cure by mixing a few teaspoons of mineral oil and baking soda in a spray bottle with water. Spray the entire affected area of the plant after thoroughly shaking the solution. Your other houseplants should not be near diseased plants. Neem oil has an overpowering odor, so move your plant outside if you can. Spray your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves with a strong mist. Don’t forget to spray the area where the leaf meets the stem after turning each leaf to cover the underside. If more spraying is required, wait two weeks, inspect once more, then repeat the process.
Potential Cause 4: Your Plant is Too Dry
Dry tan or brown regions that originate at the edge of the leaf and force the leaf to curl make dry plant brown spots simpler to identify. Your plant will occasionally appear dry or wilted overall, and the dirt may have retreated from the pot (shrinkage). This may result in the water never reaching the root ball and instead running between the pot and the soil.
Consider transferring your Fiddle Leaf Fig to a more moderate area if it is currently close to a heater or in an extremely dry environment. When the soil is 50 to 75 percent dry, water as needed, and keep an eye on your plant to make sure it’s getting enough hydration. Use a humidifier close to your plant or try misting it once to three days. Make sure the root ball of your plant is completely submerged in water by giving it a long sip. Make sure the pot’s bottom is dripping with water. Before placing the plant back on its saucer, let it to rest and drain any extra water.
How is root rot treated?
The more quickly root rot is discovered, the more likely it is that you can save the damaged plants. If you think your plant may have root rot, use this procedure.
- 1. Define the source of the rot. Just because your plant is withering doesn’t mean it has root rot. Instead, carefully dig it out of the ground and look at the roots to determine how healthy it is.
- 2. Wash the roots in a sink of water. As much soil as you can away from the roots should be removed because it can be fungus-infected.
- 3. Remove the damaged portions. Trim away any muddy or black roots using clean tools. Be aggressive since root rot might return if it is not treated. After pruning, if you have very little root structure left, remove some of the leaves to give the roots less growth to sustain.
- 4. Get rid of the dirt. You should get rid of the potting soil even if you’re not certain that a fungal infection is what caused the root rot. It isn’t worth the risk to maintain dirt if there is a possibility that it contains spores.
- 5. Thoroughly wash your tools and the pot. Rub alcohol or a bleach solution made from nine parts water to one part bleach should be used to clean both your equipment and the plant’s container. As a result, fungus spores won’t spread.
- 6. Put new dirt in the plant’s pot. Gently separate the remaining roots and completely enclose them in a well-draining potting mix appropriate for your particular plant to stop future incidences of root rot. Use a potting mix made for container plants instead of backyard dirt; it will have a combination of lightweight elements to prevent soil compaction.
How can you cure a fiddle leaf fig that is overwatered?
Your once-beautiful Fiddle Leaf Fig may have started to produce brown or yellow leaves, or its leaves may have started to droop, drop off, or develop red spots.
These are signs that your plant is receiving too much water, but how do you fix the issue?
Not to worry! You’ll have all the tools you need to restore your Fiddle Leaf Fig to health thanks to the knowledge in the following article.
Brown spots will appear all over the leaves of a fiddle leaf fig if you overwater it. Additionally, your plant’s leaves could drop off or become yellow, and it might cease developing. This harm to your plant is brought on by root rot, nutritional shortage, mineral buildup, and other issues that might result from overwatering.
- Set up a watering routine. To allow roots to dry out, water your plant at the same time each week.
- Use a soil and gravel potting combination, and make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes.
- To make sure you only water your plant when it requires it, use a moisture meter.
Do root rot symptoms self-heal?
Wet conditions in the plant’s soil provide toxic fungi the chance to flourish, which results in the disease known as root rot. Because roots require air to function properly and prolonged immersion in water deprives them of oxygen, the roots decay. Since it’s more difficult to regulate moisture and water might become confined, houseplants in pots are more likely to develop root rot than their planted counterparts. While other causes can also contribute to root rot, overwatering is the main cause of root rot issues. So, we’ll focus on the precise method for treating root rot brought on by excessive moisture.
Root Rot Diagnosis:
You must first confirm that the roots of your plant are indeed rotting. Navigating the best remedy for your plant will be made easier by immediately removing any further potential problems. If you want to determine if your issue is genuinely indoor plant root rot, start by observing any obvious symptoms, such as:
Remember that it’s normal for older leaves to change color and fall, so pay greater attention to those younger ones. If you observe browning, yellowing, or dead leaves, it may be a sign that the roots are also dying. Wet soil and wilting foliage are two telltale signs of root rot.
Look at the saucer of the pot; if water is still there, too much water was supplied at some time, soaking the soil and roots of your plant. Standing water should never be present because it might create waterlogging of the soil and its roots.
Assess the roots at the bottom, which will have received the most water exposure, after slipping the plant out of the pot. Check the roots to see whether they are dark brown in color, squishy or spongy, or even covered in fuzzy moldy debris. These are all warning indications of rot. All of these are symptoms of weakened roots.
Root Rot Rx:
Firm roots and light colour are characteristics of healthy plants that are not rotting (usually either beige, green, or tan). The soil must be adequately moistened and the leaves must be in good condition. Once you’ve determined that your houseplant’s problem is actually root rot, it’s time to create a treatment strategy. Priorities first
1. Let the dirt dry out.
Allow the soil to air out if you’ve recently seen some standing water or a change in leaf color and are unsure whether it’s root rot yet. Allow the soil around the plant to dry out for 3-5 days. For plants that aren’t yet damaged, this technique occasionally works. Drying the soil is beneficial since plant roots require oxygen to function properly. However, if the roots of your plant are severely decomposing, go to the instructions below right away because it’s probably too late to dry the soil.
2. Get rid of all the browned leaves.
Attempting to remove any dead leaves is the first step in this process. As close to the plant’s root as you can, make sure to remove them from it.
3. Get rid of old soil.
The next step will be to repot. To do this, you must first dig the plant out of its present soil. As you take the plant out of the pot, carefully scoop out as much soil as you can. Brush off wet or clumpy soil being careful not to overly damage the root system.
4. Remove rotting and dead roots.
Trimming off rotten roots will be done carefully while the plant is still in its pot. Attempt to preserve as much as you can by removing dead roots and preserving good ones.
5. Replant in fresh soil.
Repot your plant next using sterile potting soil (one that is appropriate with your specific plant). Fresh soil will help ensure that any bacteria or fungi that may have developed have been largely eliminated. Additionally, it will provide nutrients that may have been lacking in the previous soil and aid in the plant’s recovery.
Remember that the plant is probably already susceptible and under stress from the root rot. And depending on how severe the damage is, repotting could make your plant much more stressed or even kill it. But given that the plant is already declining, it’s definitely worth a chance. Also, it’s actually your only opportunity. Allowing the root rot to continue in its current condition of decomposition will eventually kill the entire plant because root rot cannot be reversed and spreads swiftly.
Preventative Measures:
Always, prevention is the best course of action. So make an effort to develop a watering schedule that works for the particular indoor plant you have. Simple procedures like these can help prevent root rot in the future.
- Use pots that have a drainage hole.
- Use appropriate soil, and periodically check to make sure the water is draining properly.
- The plant roots must have access to some air, as was previously said, in order to survive. The plant will be able to absorb oxygen and avoid probable root rot if the soil is allowed to somewhat dry out (only the top layer). The finger test—in which you wiggle your finger a few inches deep into the soil to gauge the moisture level—works well for determining whether to water many tropical houseplants. Its presence indicates that the soil’s bottom is noticeably moist. Therefore, you won’t water again until the top layer is mostly dried.
- Again, don’t let extra water build up and remain in the bottom dish of the pot.
- Depending on the season, you’ll also need to change how much water your plant receives. Plants typically require less water during the colder, drier months.
- Keep an eye on your plant. Knowing when the plant needs less or more will help you stay in the moment.
Since root rot affects the part of the plant that cannot be seen, it is frequently not discovered until major harm has already been done. Your houseplant may be saved if you swiftly follow the survival instructions. However, if your plant simply won’t survive, we strongly advise taking some cuttings to reproduce it. In this manner, some of the plant survives and everything is not lost!