Fiddle Leaf Figs are not the easiest houseplants to care for, but if you are providing for their needs, they will repay you with constant and robust growth. Therefore, rather than freaking out when you see that some of your fig tree’s leaves have holes in them, consider it your fiddle leaf alerting you to a problem that has to be fixed.
A Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves could have holes for a variety of causes. Most likely, there is a pest invasion since numerous insects gnaw holes in leaf tissue. Other frequent causes include low humidity, nutrient deficits, rot brought on by overwatering, and physical harm.
Although holes in the leaves of your Fiddle Leaf Fig can be alarming, if you know what to look for and how to fix the problem, you should be able to stop it from getting worse and any new leaves should emerge healthy and whole.
What is consuming my fig leaves with fiddle leaves?
It could seem as though the effort to keep pests away from your fiddle leaf fig is never-ending. All indoor plants have the potential to be insect breeding sites, and fiddles are particularly vulnerable to pests like scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. The fungus gnat is another pest that may be bothering your fiddle leaf fig. Additionally, gnats on your fiddle leaf fig will irritate you.
These minuscule flying insects lay their eggs in the soil and swarm around the leaves of your fig (and around your house!).
The issue is that gnats place their eggs in the soil of your fiddle so that when the larvae hatch, they can eat the roots, which can eventually result in yellowing leaves. It’s important to get rid of them before they spread because if they become out of control, they could infect your plants with diseases.
Due to their small size, fungus gnats can be mistaken for fruit flies. Since damp potting soil attracts them, you can see them flying about the plant’s base.
What is consuming my fig tree’s leaves?
Fig trees may be attacked by beetles, earwigs, fruit flies, scales, nematodes, and spider mites, according to UC IPM Online. Insect infestations may cause small leafspots, eaten foliage, and stunted development. Many pests can be exterminated with a strong jet of water from a garden hose, but others, like nematodes and fruit flies, may need more aggressive control using insecticides or predatory insects safe for use on food crops.
Canker disease is a condition that can affect figs and can be treated with fungicides and pruning. The damaged portions should be trimmed away since fig mosaic results in mottled leaves and fruit. Signs of difficulty include yellowing leaves, sluggish growth, little crops, or malformed leaves. Maintain the tree’s health and keep an eye out for any disease, insect, or drought-related symptoms.
What should I do about the bugs on my fiddle leaf fig?
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When you don’t have access to neem oil, you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol in a variety of methods, including:
- To destroy mealybugs, directly zap them with a cotton swab that has been moistened.
- The entire fiddle leaf fig plant should be cleaned periodically, being sure to reach all the crevices and gaps (this will also kill any fungus and remove dust).
- For a quick and simple spray option, combine water and rubbing alcohol 50/50 in a spray bottle with a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap.
Avoid overwatering since mealybugs can survive longer than your plant’s roots.
If you have an outdoor plant, try luring parasitic wasps, lacewings, or Japanese lady beetles because they find mealybugs and other pests to be delectable treats.
Chemical Method Of Mealybug Control
Several insecticides, such malathion and PyGanic Gardening, are available on the market to combat mealybugs if natural therapies are not an option.
How can you identify pests on a fiddle leaf fig?
You should understand how these people behave before talking about how to identify, handle, or avoid them.
Mealybugs frequently ride along on other plants and enter your house. These soft-bodied insects feed upon the sap of the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig, eventually causing the leaves to fall off. The female mealybugs generate cottony material to lay their eggs, and they exude a fluid with a moist appearance called honeydew.
These final two pieces of information are valuable for locating the pest. Simply keep an eye out for a cottony substance or wet-appearing residue if no apparent white bugs are present.
Treatment options can be similar to those for spider mites, but if you only use water, be ready for a mealybug recurrence.
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.
Webbing
Spider mites are spiders, after all, and they make webs on the leaves, stems, and trunks of your fiddle leaf fig. However, they typically don’t leave webbing in the ground.
Look closely at your tree for any delicate, cottony webbing. Make sure to check the top and bottom of the leaves because spider mites like the undersides of leaves.
Small, Clustered Dots on the Leaves
Small, dark red or brown spots on the leaves are one of the most obvious indicators of spider mites. These are the actual insects, so use a magnifying glass to check very closely to see if the dots are moving.
This might also show where the spider mites have started munching on the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig!
How do I get rid of borers on my fig trees?
The fig tree borer cannot be treated. Chemical therapies have no effect on them. Borer-damaged branches can be removed, but there’s a significant chance the borers are also in other parts of the tree. Even after the incision is closed, removing the branches creates the perfect environment for adult beetles to lay new eggs. When a borer attack occurs, a tree service will frequently advise trying to revive the tree, although even this strategy frequently has mixed results. The use of a net to prevent adult beetles from laying eggs on trees has had some degree of success. Even though the mesh completely encloses the tree, the harm being caused by the larvae and grubs that have already hatched inside the tree will still occur. Sadly, the tree will frequently experience beetle, larvae, and grub infestation season after season until it gets so sickly that the only option is to have the tree removed by a professional tree service and a new tree planted in its place.
- The fig tree borer cannot be treated.
- Even though the mesh completely encloses the tree, the harm being caused by the larvae and grubs that have already hatched inside the tree will still occur.
Do fiddle leaf fig trees have a bug population?
Have you ever been perusing one of those lovely décor magazines when a large-leafed plant caught your attention? Have you ever noticed a backdrop plant in a movie? The fiddle leaf fig is probably the miraculous “plant of the moment” you keep seeing if you responded positively to these questions.
In recent years, the fiddle leaf fig, or Ficus lyrata, has been gently incorporated into pop culture, appearing on magazine covers, in spreads, and numerous other locations. Since it is tall and columnar and offers clients a good amount of plant for their money, many adore it for its distinctive structure. The fiddle leaf fig gets its name from its large, striking leaves, which mimic the shape of a violin. These plants are reasonably resilient and easily adapt to new circumstances. Once accustomed, they can reach heights of more than six feet.
Some owners of fiddle leaf figs claim that they can’t keep one alive for very long, although this is usually because they’re being cared for improperly. Here are some pointers for maintaining the health of your fiddle leaf fig:
- LightIn order to flourish, fiddle leaf figs require bright, reliable illumination. Once they start to lean toward the sun, they should be placed in front of a window that faces south, east, or west, and rotated every few months. Rarely do north-facing windows provide adequate light for this plant.
- Peaty, well-drained soil is preferred by fiddle leaf figs.
- Ficus lyrata should only be watered when the earth is completely dry, as determined by a soil probe. Watering too much or too little might result in problems including browning and leaf loss, root rot, or plant death.
- PestsMealy bugs, scale, mites, whiteflies, and aphids are sensitive to fiddle leaf figs, but they are uncommon on a healthy, expanding fiddle leaf fig. If a bug accidentally gets onto your fig, just clean it off with a moist, soapy cloth.
How can I remove pests from my ficus tree?
Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites can all be eliminated with the application of diluted dish soap. Spray the entire ficus tree, paying close attention to the crotches of the branches and undersides of the leaves. The soap suffocates the insects, killing them. However, it must coat the insects because it has no aftertaste. Spray the ficus tree with a mixture of a gallon of water and 2 1/2 tablespoons of soap. Within two hours, wash the soap off the ficus tree with clean water from the hose to lessen the chance of harm.