Generally speaking, getting too much or too little water results in leaf drop. However, Fiddle Leaf Figs can also lose their leaves as a result of exposure to weather extremes, either hot or cold.
How to correct it
Check to determine whether it is too close to a heater, an air conditioner vent, or a draft before moving it if required. It’s important to keep in mind that fiddle leaf figs are indigenous to warm, humid, tropical regions with stable moisture and stable temperatures. Therefore, maintaining comparable conditions will make your tree the happiest. Keep the soil damp but not drenched. Only water when 50 to 75 percent of the soil is dry. To increase the humidity in your fiddle leaf fig, you can mist it frequently.
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.
Where can I find a fiddle leaf fig fix?
Secret No. 6: Avoid letting a sick fiddle-leaf fig tree fully dry up. Make sure any extra water drains out the bottom of the pot when watering it once or twice per week. (I water mine in the shower and keep it there for a couple of hours so the pot can drain, then I put it back on the plant saucer.)
Secret No. 7: Even if the container is so tight that roots are visible at the surface, wait to transplant it until you notice fresh growth.
In conclusion, letting your fiddle-leaf fig tree heal slowly on its own is the greatest thing you can do to ensure its survival. Give it filtered sunlight, water once a week, and warm environments (a room temperature between 60 and 90 degrees would do). Furthermore, if there is even a remote chance that the temperature may drop below freezing overnight, don’t leave it outside.
Are you also attempting to preserve your fiddle-leaf fig? The Fig and I: 10 Tips for Caring for a Fiddle-Leaf Fig has more advice. Visit Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees: A Field Guide in our selected plant guide for Tropicals 101 for additional growing, maintenance, and design advice.
Finally, consult our Creeping Fig: A Field Guide for additional guidance on how to effectively plant, nurture, and maintain a creeping fig.
Get additional tips on planting, growing, and caring for fiddle-leaf fig trees by reading our Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree: A Field Guide.
Finally, use our Houseplants: A Field Guide to learn more about how to grow and care for different houseplants.
Are you looking for additional tropical plants for your indoor or outdoor space? With the help of Tropical Plants: A Field Guide, you can learn more about how to cultivate and care for different tropical plants.
Finally, consult our Vines & Climbers: A Field Guide for more guidance on how to cultivate and maintain a variety of vines and climbers.
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.
Why is my fiddle leaf tree acting up?
Symptoms of overwatering include brown spots or shaded regions along the borders and in the middle of the leaves, as well as yellowing foliage and leaf drop (lower leaves often dropping first).
One of the most frequent issues with fiddle leaf figs is overwatering. A fungal condition known as root rot might occur if your plant receives too much water. You’ll likely see spots and leaf drop on older leaves first if root rot is the cause.
How to Fix It: Make sure your plant receives enough of indirect sunshine and let it totally dry out before rehydrating to prevent root rot. With clean shears, you can remove any dark and mushy roots that may have developed as well as cut the leaves’ brown edges and patches.
Brown stains beginning on the edges of the leaves, curling leaves from the edges inward, and leaf drop are signs of underwatering (can affect all leaves on the plant, not just the lower leaves).
Dry, hard soil that retreats and shrinks away from the edge of the pot is another sign that your fiddle leaf figs are underwatered.
Follow a regular watering routine to fix it. The top inch of soil around fiddle leaf figs usually has to be watered once per week or when it seems dry to the touch. Try running a humidifier nearby or sprinkling the leaves with water once every one to three days to raise the humidity in the air to help counteract dry air.
Watering Tips
When it comes to their watering routine, fiddle leaf figs need consistency. Set a weekly reminder to give your Fiddle Leaf a drink. By following this timetable, you can prevent overwatering or underwatering your plant. However, it is crucial to check that the pot your plant is in has adequate drainage, since if it does not, your watering schedule may become messed up.
How may root rot in a fiddle leaf fig be detected?
By simply examining a potted plant, it can be challenging to identify root rot. Even a fiddle that seems to be rather dry on the top of its soil could be rooted underground. Only by looking at the roots underneath the surface can one truly know. Remove your plant from its pot and take a look if you notice any signs of distress, such as dropping or browning leaves.
Here are a few telltale symptoms of root rot in your fiddle leaf fig:
Once a portion of the roots starts to decay, the disease can spread throughout the entire root system and start to climb up to the plant’s leaves.
Should I remove the fiddle leaf fig leaves that are broken?
Like grooming your dog or cat, pruning your plant is crucial to keeping it healthy and attractive. Pruning your fiddle leaf fig prevents weed growth and maintains its health. You should prune your plant for a number of reasons.
Remove Damaged Leaves and Stems
To promote the general health of your plant, you can safely remove any leaves with significant brown spots or holes. A damaged or ill leaf depletes your plant’s nutrients and increases the risk of infection. Any time of year, get rid of any leaves that are broken or ill right away.
Keep Your Plant From Getting Too Tall
Healthy fiddle leaf fig plants have a tendency to grow aggressively toward the sun, which could cause them to become too big or tall for their environment. You should cut back any growth over that height since plants look their best when their upper leaves are at least 8 to 10 inches below the ceiling. You can make your plant stronger and more compact by trimming it to prevent it from growing too tall.
Give Your Plant Balance
Your plant might grow sideways towards the direction of the closest window depending on where it receives its light, which could make it asymmetrical or unbalanced. Rotate your plant frequently so that it develops symmetrically to avoid this. Even after pruning, plants can still go out of balance, which will assist prevent uneven growth.
Decrease Crowded Areas
To stay healthy, fiddle leaf fig leaves require airflow and room. The leaves on your plant may become damaged by rubbing against one another if it becomes overly compact and crowded. Pruning will help to spread out crowded regions.
Shape Your Plant
Due to their restricted exposure to sunlight when grown indoors, fiddle leaf fig plants can develop unique morphologies. They might develop sideways rather than upwards toward the sun as they would if they were growing outside.
The lowest leaves will also fall off in the wild because of a lack of sunshine. Lower leaves, though, may still receive plenty of light inside and stay on the plant. The desired tree-like shape may be destroyed as a result. You should cut off lower leaves and branches that are spreading out too much in order to shape your plant so that it looks best in the area where it is placed.
Why are the leaves on my fiddle leaf fig curling?
A Fiddle Leaf Fig similarly lacks sufficient sunlight to use in the process of photosynthesis if it does not receive enough light.
Therefore, a lack of nutrients will cause leaves to curl as a result of inadequate light.
How to Fix
- Try to place your plant so that it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.
- Use solar shades on the windows to shield your Fiddle Leaf Fig if you are still concerned that it is receiving too much direct sunshine.
- If you have rooms that are only bright for an hour or two at different times, you might need to shift your plant during the day.
Diseases Causing Fig Trees Leaves Curling
Leaf patches that are light brown and tan, leaf browning, and curled leaves are signs of fungal diseases.
Since the lowest leaves of a plant are typically afflicted first by root rot, this bacterial infection can be distinguished from that condition.
Try to move swiftly.
as soon as you think your plant might have a fungus problem.
- Use sharp, sterile pruning shears to remove the fungus-infected leaves if you catch it while there are only a few of them.
- Pot your plant again.
- Remove as much dirt from the root ball as you can to reduce the likelihood of the infection spreading.
- Before transferring your Fiddle Leaf Fig, clean the new pot.
- Utilize fresh or sterile soil.
- To prevent the spread of fungi, practice good hygiene.
- Avoid overwatering as it may cause the fungus to spread.
- Remove any rotting materials from the pot, such as fallen leaves. In these circumstances, fungus grows.
- Clean your equipment between plants.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Leaves Curling Because of an Insect Infestation
Floppy Leaf Mealybugs, scale, mites, whiteflies, and aphids are just a few of the frequent pests that figs may unintentionally provide food for.
Fiddle Leaf Figs are consumed by insects, which are frequently visible on the leaves or stem. They deprive the plant of essential nutrients by feeding off it.
Your fiddle leaf fig will suffer as a result since it will lose the nutrients that it needs to survive.
Insects like mealybugs can also leave behind a substance that causes mold to grow on your plant.
Because the plant begins to lack nutrients and is harmed by the presence of the insects, insect infestations cause leaves to curl.
Fortunately, the remedy is as easy as cleaning your plant with a moist, soapy cloth, being sure to give particular attention to the leaves and stem.
Additionally, you can spray your plant with the treatment by combining 1 liter of water with 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
Neem oil is a natural and efficient way to get rid of bugs on your fiddle leaf fig.
Low Humidity
Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer a moist setting. Their preferred humidity ranges from 30 to 65 percent.
Your fiddle leaf fig will suffer from inadequate humidity in the following ways:
- After watering, the soil will dry up too soon, leading to dehydration and curled leaves.
- The plant will lose moisture through its pores, and it is difficult to restore this moisture alone by getting water from the roots. Your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves will curl and dry out as a result of this.
If you reside in a dry climate, there are a few techniques you can do to increase humidity:
- Apply a humidifier. These are simple enough to purchase and immediately raise the humidity level in your house.
- assemble plants in a group. The water from one plant evaporates, giving the other plant moisture in the air.
- Employ pebble trays. Put clean stones in a tray or plate, then place the plant container inside. Don’t let the pot float in the water; instead, place water in the tray. The water will gently evaporate, leaving moisture all around your plant.
Soil Type
They may have issues with root aeration (the roots can’t breathe!) if they don’t have this.
Poor soil can also promote issues with bacterial or fungal growth, salt or chemical buildup, and other issues.
Your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves will curl as a result of all of the aforementioned issues brought on by utilizing the incorrect soil type.
It will be difficult for the roots to adequately transport water and nutrients to the plant.
Pick a potting mix that claims it drains well when repotting your fiddle leaf fig.
Instead of using just soil, fill the container with a 12-inch (2.55-cm) layer of gravel before adding the soil on top. Drainage will benefit from this.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Leaves Curling Up Due to Pot Size
Make sure not to pick a pot that is too big or too tiny when repotting your fiddle leaf fig.
The new pot’s diameter should be at most 6 inches (15 cm) greater than the old one.
Fiddle Leaf Figs may have root rot, mineral buildup, or underwatering if they are placed in overly big pots.
The soil holds an excessive amount of moisture and minerals, or the size of the soil may lead you to believe incorrectly that it is not yet time to water it.
Your fiddle leaf fig will become pot-bound if the pot is too small. There won’t be enough dirt for your plant to receive enough nutrition, causing the roots to become injured.
Your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves will curl if the container is the wrong size since it won’t receive enough nutrients and water.
- Take a measurement of the pot that your fiddle leaf fig was packaged in.
- The diameter of the pot after that should be 34 inches (7.510 cm).
- Never use a pot that is more than 6 inches (15 cm) wider in diameter than the one you are repotting into.