The fiddle leaf fig, also known as Ficus lyrata, is an attractive tree characterized by its large, oval-shaped leaves, making it a popular choice for indoor decoration. However, caring for this species can be challenging. Hailing from western Africa, fiddle leaf figs require abundant sunlight, high humidity, and consistently moist soil to thrive. Failure to meet these needs or subjecting the plant to stress can lead to leaf drop. To help you address this issue, we consulted with gardening experts who have shared insights on why fiddle leaf figs may lose leaves and offered suggestions to rectify each problem.
Expert Contributors:
– Linda Langelo, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University
– Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms
Overwatering:
Overwatering can result in waterlogged soil, depriving the roots of oxygen and potentially causing root rot. This can lead to browning and shedding of leaves, as explained by Linda Langelo. To prevent overwatering, check the soil moisture before watering. If the soil is excessively wet, refrain from watering for a few days. If the soil is beyond repair, repot the plant in well-draining potting mix and ensure the pot has adequate drainage.
Underwatering:
Conversely, underwatering can also cause leaf loss in a fiddle leaf fig due to insufficient moisture for the roots. To prevent this, monitor your plant regularly and water it thoroughly if the potting mix feels dry halfway down the pot.
Excessive Sunlight:
While fiddle leaf figs thrive in full sun in their natural habitat, excessive direct sunlight can cause sunburn on the leaves, leading to a bleached appearance and eventual shedding. To prevent sun damage, gradually introduce your plant to increased sunlight over a couple of weeks. If sunburn has already occurred, relocate the plant to a spot with less intense light exposure while still providing at least six hours of sunlight daily.
Inadequate Sunlight:
Though rare, a sudden change from bright to dim light conditions can stress the plant and result in leaf drop. To avoid this, acclimate your plant gradually to its new environment by increasing its exposure to lower light levels over a period of time.
Pests:
Pests can weaken the plant by extracting moisture and nutrients from the leaves, leading to leaf loss. To prevent infestations, inspect any new houseplants for signs of pests before bringing them indoors.
If you’re unsure, consider monitoring your fiddle leaf fig for a few weeks. In case of an infestation, treating it with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil may be beneficial, but the appropriate remedy will depend on the specific type of pest affecting the plant.
Diseases such as leaf spot can significantly weaken a fiddle leaf fig, leading to leaf loss. To safeguard your plant against these diseases, it is essential to provide it with a conducive environment featuring ample sunlight, proper watering, and periodic fertilization, according to Hancock.
The approach to treating a disease will be determined by its specific nature. “Just like pests, various diseases require different treatment methods,” explains Hancock. “While a particular fungicide may effectively combat one disease, it might not be as effective against another.”
When a fiddle leaf fig becomes root-bound, it may shed its leaves due to insufficient space in the pot for adequate water, nutrients, and oxygen absorption, notes Langelo. Signs of root-binding include compacted or hardened soil, roots protruding from drainage holes, or soil pulling away from the pot’s edges.
To address this issue, repot the fiddle leaf fig in a container slightly larger in diameter—around 2 to 3 inches—than the current one. Carefully extract the plant from its current pot, untangle any circling roots, and transfer it to the new container filled with fresh potting soil. Langelo advises waiting approximately a month post-repotting before applying fertilizer.
Low humidity levels, below 30 percent, can stress a fiddle leaf fig and lead to leaf loss. Increasing humidity by employing a nearby humidifier or clustering the plant with other greenery can help mitigate this problem. “Plants naturally release moisture as they respire, so a group of plants can aid in mutual humidification,” notes Hancock.
Sudden temperature variations and drafts are another factor that can prompt a fiddle leaf fig to shed its leaves. “In their natural habitat, plants rarely encounter the abrupt temperature shifts that they do in our homes,” Hancock points out. When relocating your fiddle leaf fig, it is advisable to do so gradually to prevent shocking the plant. Additionally, keeping the plant clear of heating and cooling vents, drafty entrances, and windows is essential. Langelo emphasizes that these plants thrive in temperatures ranging between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Natural leaf shedding due to aging is another possibility for fiddle leaf figs. Unfortunately, there is no remedy for this natural process. On a positive note, these plants boast impressive longevity. “As houseplants, fiddle leaf figs typically live for 10 to 15 years on average,” Langelo remarks. “In their native habitats, their lifespan can extend up to 50 years.”
This article was originally published on Martha Stewart’s platform.
