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.
- Disinfect the new pot before transplanting your Fiddle Leaf Fig.
- 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.
How frequently should fiddle leaf figs be watered?
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.
How can a fiddle leaf fig be revived?
Finding and addressing the issues that are causing the fiddle leaf fig’s leaves to lose their visual appeal is the key to fixing a drooping plant. By adjusting your techniques to the needs of the plant, you might adopt several strategies.
A wilting fiddle leaf fig can be revived and fixed as follows:
Move the plant where there’s bright indirect light
During their active growth period, fiddle fig leaves need roughly 6 hours of bright indirect sunshine. This can be accomplished by relocating it to a window with an eastward facing and lightly covered curtain.
Making ensuring your plant receives enough sunshine is crucial for repairing drooping leaves and preserving its health. After a few days of continuous exposure to sunshine when the plant has previously received insufficient sunlight, you might start to detect changes in the leaf.
To provide your fiddle leaf fig easy access to the morning and evening sun when the light intensity is moderate indoors, put your pot close to a window (and cannot harm the plant). It will be ideal if the window faces west or east.
Let the soil dry out between waterings
If the plant is being underwatered, give it enough water until the pot starts to drip. Move it to its new location after letting it drip for a while to keep the soil moist. To avoid drooping and wilting, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Meeting your plant’s water needs can be made easier by keeping a good watering routine. For instance, depending on the season, fiddle leaf figs require watering roughly once per week at intervals of 10 days.
In order to account for seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, it is important to modify your watering plan. To minimize overwatering, you should also avoid supplying too much water.
How much water the soil retains after each watering session can be managed with the aid of a high-quality potting media and drainage system. Check the potting mixture frequently to see if the plant requires watering before adding water.
By inserting your finger a few inches into the potting media, you may determine whether the soil needs water (finger test). It’s possible for your plant to go a few more days without water if the soil beneath it is moist. However, crumbly, dry soil indicates that your plant needs water immediately.
Additionally, you can look for drooping leaves, however this isn’t necessarily a good sign that your plant needs water.
Repot using a well-draining potting mix and larger pot
Fiddle leaf figs can grow up to 6 feet tall. To accommodate the growth increase, you might need to occasionally move your plant into a larger pot.
Choosing the right pot or medium is essential for repotting. Your plant may be prone to overwatering, saturated soils, etc. due to poor selection. Use a peat-perlite soil mixture, preferably at a 2:1 ratio, is what I’d suggest.
The diameter of the pots should be about three to four inches broader, and each pot should be about one to two inches taller than the one before it. To allow for effective drainage, it is also worthwhile to get a pot with a drainage hole.
Feed the plant with 3-1-2 NPK fertilizer
Your fiddle leaf fig may occasionally droop from nutrient deficiency, particularly if the soil is overworked. However, this wilting and discontent does not have the same intensity as that brought on by underwatering.
Fertilizers are necessary to keep the soil’s nutrient quality high and to energize your plant. At least twice a year, fiddle leaf figs require a constant fertilizer application. The substance that enriches soil with nutrients should be applied in the spring and fall.
Use an organic, slow-release substance with a balanced NPK ratio wherever possible. For instance, the majority of fiddle leaf figs respond well to an NPK ratio of 3-1-2, where a high nitrogen (N) content encourages healthy foliage growth, phosphorous (P) enhances tissue development, and potassium (K) permits optimum plant growth and strong roots.
Remember to add fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Different goods have different quantity requirements, dispersion methods, etc.
Maintain temperature between 65F to 75F for the fig
The temperature sensitivity of fiddle leaf figs. As a result, the species flourishes in tropical climates with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The plant can withstand dips in temperature of up to 55 F. (Higher or lower temperatures can negatively affect the plant). Because of this, it is preferable to move or insulate fiddle leaf fig plants indoors during the winter and other cooler months to sustain vigorous development and avoid drooping/freezing.
During the summer, when temperatures may increase over ideal levels, you can sometimes spray the leaves of your plant. Additionally, keep an eye out for new growth to avoid sunburn and drooping, which could harm your plant’s appearance and general health.
What does a fiddle leaf look like when it is overwatered?
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.