QA

Why Are My Fiddle Leaf Leaves Falling Off

Leaf drop is generally caused by getting too much or too little water. But exposure to temperature extremes—either hot or cold—can also cause Fiddle Leaf Figs to drop their leaves.

Is it normal for fiddle leaf figs to drop leaves?

The good news is that sometimes, dropping a leaf or two here or there is actually normal and even healthy for fiddle leaf figs. All plants shed leaves over time because they’re constantly growing new ones. Older leaves might simply drop off as the tree grows new leaves to replace them.

What do you do when all the leaves fall off a fiddle leaf fig?

If you notice medium-brown spots on leaves all over the tree, use a clean pair of shears or a knife to carefully remove the affected leaves. Throw the leaves away, don’t compost them! You may also want to repot the plant into fresh soil and a clean pot.

Why are my fig tree leaves falling off?

The most common causes of fig tree leaf drop include: Both overwatering and underwatering can result in fig tree leaf drop. Instead of watering on a schedule, water your fig any time the soil, 1 inch (2.5 cm.) below the surface, is dry to the touch.

How often should you water fiddle leaf fig?

Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days. As we mentioned earlier, FLFs are native to a rainforest-like environment, which means they’re used to receiving a huge deluge of water with dry spells in between.

What does an overwatered fiddle leaf fig look like?

A telltale sign of too much water and/or root rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs is brown spots near the center of the leaves, as well as around the edges. Overwatered Fiddles will also show a general browning, with tiny dark spots or shady areas, that can spread quickly from one leaf to another over the course of a week.

How do I know if my fiddle leaf fig is dying?

My Fig Tree is Dying: How to Save Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Excessive leaf loss. Brown spots. Yellow leaves. Foliage with holes. Curled leaves. White leaves.

Why are my fiddle leaf fig leaves turning brown and falling off?

The most common cause of brown leaves on a fiddle leaf fig is due to a fungal infection from the roots sitting in too much moisture. Once the leaves are affected by the fungal infection, they will slowly turn brown and then eventually fall off.

Should I mist my fiddle leaf fig?

It’s a good idea to mist new leaf buds, but ONLY the lead buds, and not so much that water drips down the other leaves. Give your new baby buds a good misting a few times every week and use a clean, soft cloth to gently dab up extra water if you’d like. You can still raise a healthy fiddle leaf fig in a dry climate.

What is wrong with my fiddle fig?

The two most common problems for fiddle leaf fig plants are ironically the opposite of each other: too much water and too little water. Over-watering leads to root rot, a fungal condition that kills the plant’s roots and leaves. Under-watering leads to a dry plant with leaf damage.

How often do fiddle leaf figs grow new leaves?

A healthy fiddle leaf fig tree should be putting out new leaves every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Growth tends to be in spurts, where the plant will grow 2 to 4 new leaves in a matter of a few days. In the winter, it’s normal not to have any new growth.

How much sunlight do fiddle leaf figs need?

Yes, fiddle leaf figs live in full sun in the wild, but they also have protection from afternoon sun from the canopy of trees nearby. Ideally, you should place your fiddle leaf fig in a south-facing window, where it will get steady sunlight all day long.

Do fiddle leaf figs need direct sunlight?

Light. Fiddle Leaf Figs should be placed in front of a window that will receive direct morning or afternoon light. Ideally, what you’re aiming for is a window with a mostly unobstructed eastern, western, or southern exposure — you don’t want trees or close buildings shading the window.

How much sun does a fiddle leaf fig need?

“Fiddle leaf figs need lots of indirect light and some direct sun,” he says. “Afternoon sun from a south- or west-facing window will be too strong.” So remember, just like the nourishing rays that filter down from the jungle’s dense canopy, your fig needs good sun in your home, too.

How often should I water my fig tree?

Figs don’t like wet feet, so don’t water too often. Allow the tree to dry a bit between watering. Remember to water slowly and deeply; just don’t overwater. Every 10 days to 2 weeks is sufficient.

How do I know if my fiddle leaf needs water?

Once you’ve established that the top few inches of soil have dried, the easiest way to tell if your Fiddle Leaf needs water is to look at the leaves. If the leaves are not rigid and upright, and they start to look floppy, they’re telling you they need water.