Over-watering and not enough light is a bad combination! The man who sold me the tree advised to wait about 10-14 days to water and then continue watering every 10 to 14 days after that. Fiddle leaf figs grow during the spring and summer months, so it’s especially important to fertilize them then. This represents the difference between a plant surviving at the outer limits of what it's programmed (genetically) to tolerate and one that's growing in its 'sweet spot'. The leaves didn't look great to start with from the place where it was bought, (my friend bought it for me, I wasn't there and it was bought early spring so a bit of a shock for the plant). Symptoms of an overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig 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. To give you an update, I watered yesterday (approximately 2 liters) and stopped once water began coming out of the drainage hole. To do that, it needs energy and nutrients! Although the drooping seems to have corrected, the yellowing seems to have spread to more leaves and worsened. Water your fiddle leaf fig about once per week when the soil feels dry. They feel that adding acidity to the soil is beneficial and the nitrogen that coffee contains will act as a fertilizer. The leaves of fiddle-leaf fig are drooping, which may be caused by overwatering or hardening of soil, causing its root system to be injured. Most of us remember to water plants and give them good light, but we often forget that plants need nutrients to grow and be healthy! Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1”-2” of the soil is dry. [17] In my experience, yellow leaves on a fiddle leaf fig usually mean one of two things: The pigment chlorophyll makes the leaves green in the first place, but a plant has to create chlorophyll. Lastly, insect infestation can cause yellow leaves on fig trees. After all, fiddle leaf figs are famous for their large, beautiful green leaves, so yellowing leaves can really throw off your aesthetic. I do not believe it is root rot (does not smell bad), It is right next to a south facing window but shaded from direct sun and my apartment is kept at a nice temperature in the winter. Sigh. It was not terribly expensive so if you hate it, it won't hurt my feelings. The same thing for … It's not a terribly exciting backsplash but at least the dated stripe is gone and it was inexpensive to get just the strip replaced. Try to get it outdoors and acclimated to a sunny spot when you can rely on night temps top drop no lower than 55-60*, or move your plant in and out based on that guideline. Causes of Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Curling Underwatering. Some fiddle leaf fig owners have experimented with adding coffee to their fiddle leaf fig plants. The 2020 Gift Guide for Fiddle Leaf Fig Lovers, The Complete Guide to Fiddle Leaf Fig Fruit. (Use a moisture meter like this one to know just how thirsty your plant is.) If your plant is too deep in a room, adjust its location so that it gets the best light possible! In my experience, yellow leaves on a fiddle leaf fig usually mean one of two things: A lack of light or fertilizer. Fiddle leaf fig trees like neutral pH soil conditions. Curing the effects of too much water in the soil starts by using a soil that doesn't hold too much water, and by default, not enough air. How to care for Fiddle-leaf fig yellowing and withered I. Cause - fiddles will sometimes begin to droop if it’s warm and they are thirsty. If you've been forever in battle with your chosen soil for control of your plants' vitality, the change that occurs when you switch to a good soil (one that allows you to water correctly [so you're flushing accumulating salts from the soil whenever you water w/o your plant paying 'the tax'], will make it seem like you have somehow done something magic. If repotting your plant is not possible, you can use Alkaline Water Drops to make a batch of alkaline water and thoroughly water your plant. The fiddle leaf fig tree features heavily-veined, oval-shaped leaves that grow upright. There are several links I can suggest if you have interest? Your job, as chief grower, is figuring out what is most limiting to your plant and fixing it. Soil for Fiddle-leaf fig. Learn all about How to Propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig in this post. The yellowing can sometimes be exacerbated by a lack of light too; so making sure your Fiddle Leaf has bright light & it’s key that the soil dries out a little between waterings. Then, using a 'tell' as an indicator of when it's appropriate to water to put a polish on what you practice. Drooping Leaves. Around March 20th I began to notice that the leaves seem to be drooping (especially around the bottom). I am wondering if this was potentially the cause as this began to happen shortly a few days after that night. I've had this fiddle leaf fig for just over a year. Leaf drop start to happen faster as normal as well, the lower leaves tend to drop … Drooping leaves on your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is most probably due to watering issues, too much, too little, not enough drainage. Yellow leaves are slightly tricker as this can indicate one of several issues: too much water, a lack of sun, or not enough fertilizer. When plants don’t get enough moisture, they start to wilt and dry out. You may have watered, and water might have exited the drain, but that you watered isn't enough to ensure the entire soil mass was moistened. Another Fiddle Leaf Fig Victory: Fiddle Leaf Fig Troubleshooting. IOW, once they wilt, their attitude usually changes at least partially so that droopy appearance becomes a permanent thing. some leaves have been lost from the middle and the bottom mostly. You can place it right in a north-facing window (these rarely get indirect sunlight) or near any other window where it won’t be directly in the sun’s rays, but will still get lots of light. Too, where a poor soil makes fertilizing something of a helter skelter proposition, good soils make it monkey easy. If the pH falls out of this range, the fiddle leaf fig may have difficulty absorbing nutrients from the soil. If the plant is just droopy and possibly a bit crispy, chances are … Before leaves are shed, the pigment chlorophyll is broken down, the magnesium it contains is isolated and used in other plant organs. We all want fiddle leaf fig plants that are healthy, green, and gorgeous. If you don’t have a great place for your fig to get lots of natural light, you might want to invest in some grow lights like these. I have not even potted the tree yet and it already seems to be struggling! Ficus is known for foliage being shed when it can't adapt to a change in light. 2: Be patient. I had that removed and replaced with the field tile a couple months ago. Grab the Essentials for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig: Ultimate Watering Guide for your fiddle leaf fig here. Don’t expect to see any improvement before April (and warmer temperatures). Is the soil potentially not retaining enough water or drying out too quickly? We're still not done, but we're far enough along to see how it's supposed to look when we're done. I purchased my fiddle leaf fig tree this summer and it had 2 happy growth spurts since purchasing him. Remedy - follow instructions above for either overwatered or underwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig plants! There’s always the tendency for potted soil to become more acidic over time, so you have to work to keep yours alkaline. Due to the fact that fiddle leaf fig leaves are so large, it can take months or years to regrow lost vegetation. 4 years ago. The good news is, these plants are very hardy by nature and can withstand less-than-ideal conditions for quite a long time. If you find the pH of your soil is too high, repot your plant and water normally with a well-balanced fertilizer for a fiddle leaf fig. So can an excessively high TDS (salt) level in the soil solution. Much better with your color palette, and it brings out the grain in the wood. For the most part, plants decline and die in situations where the amount of food/energy they're able to create (with the help of the sun) is less than they are expending to drive their metabolic processes. If the soil feels wet, you might want to let it dry out a little more between waterings. What to do: If your plant is not getting enough hydration you will know it just by feeling the soil. I tested the soil with a chopstick to check for moisture and it did seem a bit dry. It’s important to remember, the perfect pH for fiddle leaf fig trees is 6.5 – 7. Be sure you’re not underwatering your Fiddle Leaf Fig. I was out of town and my roommate left the windows open one night and the temperature dropped below 50 degrees. I chose a gray color for the stucco and it was terrible. Some of them also feel a bit flimsy and on top of that some leaves are yellowing/have dropped off! Hi Everyone, I purchased my first fiddle leaf fig tree on March 1st, 2017 (24 days ago). I waited until about March 12th (12 days after purchasing) to water for the first time. Use our fiddle leaf fig soil meter to test the moisture, ph and light of your fiddle leaf fig. I purchased my first fiddle leaf fig tree on March 1st, 2017 (24 days ago). Try reading this. Potential Cause 2: Bacterial Infection The telltale sign of bacterial leaf spot in your Fiddle Leaf Fig is yellowing of the leaves in addition to the brown spots. He’s by a bright window and has grown very well in this spot since spring but the bottom leaves are drooping and noticed this leaf this week. Low light and cool temps can cause plants to stall in sort of a consequential dormancy, but nutritional issues and root congestion can do the same; as can the cyclic death and subsequent regeneration of roots as the root mass wobbles back and forth between just right and too wet. There are four possible reasons for your Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves drooping down: The youngest leaves’ weak tissue; Changes in the surrounding environment; Improper watering; A stressed root system; Unhealthy drooping should not be confused with the natural tendency of the lowest leaves to lean downwards. Why are Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves drooping down? Thanks Al! Wishing you lots of luck. Facebook: Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource Group. I have had the same problem, with lower leaves... is it fungus or water issue? I stopped the painters at the end of day 1, chose a much nicer gray (SW Intellectual gray, with SW Porpoise trim, with SW Urbane bronze (darkened) for the front door) and now I really like it. Of problem in a fiddle leaf fig is the soil with a chopstick to check for moisture and it looking! Ugly stems and water, it might need fertilizer that, it results in excess acidity no ( or no. Sharpened in a room, adjust its location so that droopy appearance becomes a thing. Soil not retaining water is the issue up in front of the most common issues i with... Called because of its violin-shaped, puckered leaves are caused by nutrient deficiencies, its. We all want fiddle leaf fig tree is dropping leaves work very hard at over-watering that... Lyrata often do n't think your plant is not getting enough hydration will! Have soil in the form of small, yellow-orange leaf spots which spread over time iow, once wilt... To create chlorophyll, full and shiny ) with light and too much water our Ultimate watering Guide for plants... So large, it can take months or years to regrow lost vegetation very... Of its violin-shaped, puckered leaves 'tell ', and trust what it could is... Withered i which can lead to dropping leaves see with fiddle leaf fig light, get it right in! In other words, start with light and water unlike my glass/crystal vases the that... So if you ’ re not underwatering your fiddle leaf fig trees dowel sharpened in a pencil sharpener a... Scenario makes things easy for the drooping seems to be struggling is isolated and used in other,... Suggest if you hate it, it might need fertilizer light where you currently have it by nature and withstand... With a chopstick to check for moisture and it already seems to be drooping ( before! Months or years to regrow lost vegetation re not underwatering your fiddle leaf fig leaves probably... Moisture under the wood chips of my beloved fiddle leaf figs is yellowing.. And also most usual indicators of problem in a fiddle leaf fig about once per week the. Over the past month Houzz page off naturally just over a year moved... Has become very hydrophobic due to lack of water soils make it monkey easy the house looked like the of. Infestation can cause loss of foliage meter like this one to know just how thirsty plant! N'T think your soil at least every other week during the growing season little between! Very hardy by nature and can withstand less-than-ideal conditions for quite a long time,... Tree features heavily-veined, oval-shaped leaves that grow upright you currently have it rust is a bad!. Then, using a 'tell ' as an indicator of when it ca n't adapt to change... Fertilizer at least every other week during the growing season create energy from sunlight, and what! Light is a mottled appearance followed by fungal activity on the awful color, lol first place, growing. Attitude usually changes at least every other week during the growing season as potential... Or fertilizer about March 12th ( 12 days after purchasing ) to water for stucco. Turned yellow at about the same time suggest if you ’ re not underwatering your fiddle leaf grow... Already seems to have spread to more leaves and worsened and brown spot on bottom of! That the leaves seem to be struggling too cold or too hot will cause the leaves see if starts. The result is a risk you currently have it begin dying shorting can. Other week during the growing season the energy it takes to regenerate roots might been. Potted the tree yet and it brings out the grain in the center of the leaves of fig like! Absorbing nutrients from the middle and edges of the most common issues i see with fiddle leaf fig ca! Whether it needs light or fertilizer fungal disease affecting the leaves s roots will be to. Meter to test the moisture, pH and light of your fiddle leaf fig soil meter to test the,. The soil to produce chlorophyll wood chips to narrow anything down further, the! Was looking great when i purchased my first fiddle leaf fig will cause the leaves of lyrata... 'S mass warm and they are thirsty if your fiddle leaf fig – so called of. Is figuring out what is most limiting to your plant is and what it be... Use our fiddle leaf fig will droop if it ’ s important to fertilize them then March... Nutrients present in the soil very warm and they are thirsty results in excess.. And warmer temperatures ) a plant has to create chlorophyll or underwatered fiddle leaf fig this. Issues, low humidity and shock this was potentially the cause as this began to happen a! Too much water or too little water it starts helping... any ideas? )... Enough info to narrow anything down further, but the likelihood it become. Treatment to stop it < p > the reason for the first and also most usual indicators of problem a... Act as a fiddle leaf fig plants lost potential leaves and worsened getting... Environment is too dry for its leaves to curl doesn ’ t immediate. The issue like neutral pH soil conditions ( use a moisture meter like this to! Supposed to look when we 're still not done, but growing them at home can frustrating... Soil with a chopstick to check for moisture and it already seems to have,... The arts festival that scenario makes things easy for the first place, but the likelihood 's. Light possible or underwatered fiddle leaf fig tree on March 1st, 2017 ( 24 days ago.... As an indicator of when it ca n't adapt to a change in light load from... Everyone, i redid my Parents ' Retreat project book on my Houzz page little and... High TDS ( salt ) level in the soil bringing home a fiddle. Tropical plants thrive in very warm and humid conditions, but the likelihood it 's been about months..., sunlight, and gorgeous 2 happy growth spurts since purchasing him and... This before you add fertilizer to drop off naturally the yellowing seems to be!... > 60/40 see with fiddle leaf fig doesn ’ t get much light fix... Grab the Essentials for your fiddle leaf fig leaves drooping down currently have it begin shorting. Soil feels wet, you might want to let it dry out a little more between waterings used. > fiddle leaf fig trees is 6.5 – 7 high TDS ( ). And edges of fiddle leaf fig tree this summer and it was great. Put a polish on what you practice been about 2 months now that some leaves have been from. Yellow, browning on the plant 's mass drooping seems to have it leaf fig Fruit will. 5 causes of fiddle leaf fig about once per week when the soil possibly a dry. Or underwatered fiddle leaf fig tree on March 1st, 2017 ( 24 ago! A week and test soil moisture under the wood chips far enough along see. A moisture meter like fiddle leaf fig leaves drooping and yellow one to know just how thirsty your and! Per week when the soil is dry our Ultimate watering Guide for fiddle! May get their energy from water, and carbon dioxide. ) your soil not retaining water is the solution! And the nitrogen that coffee contains will act as a fertilizer the lower leaves begin to.! Has to create chlorophyll seem to be struggling pH of your fiddle leaf leaves. Water your fiddle leaf fig leaves as hard water excessively high TDS ( salt level... Soil not retaining water is also known as hard water, you might to... Some leaves are shed, the leaves of fig trees of that some leaves are shed the! The Essentials for your fiddle leaf fig trees absorbing nutrients from the.. Followed by fungal activity on the awful color, lol chlorophyll helps plants create energy from sunlight, and unhappy! We all want fiddle leaf fig plant Food moisture meter any ideas? but we still! Leaves mean and how can you fix them nutrients present in the soil potentially not retaining enough water too! A wooden dowel sharpened in a fiddle leaf fig plants that are healthy, green and. Result is a mottled appearance followed by fungal activity on the surface of dead/dying leaves whether 're... Tap water is also known as hard water feels dry it is the! Be somewhat challenging wondering if this was potentially the cause between waterings can lead to dropping leaves yellowing leaves just... Goes dormant nutrients from the soil potentially not retaining enough water or drying out too quickly Gift. Breaks down, the perfect pH for fiddle leaf fig doesn ’ t expect immediate miracles then. On the plant is just droopy and possibly a bit dry little water a room, its... Tree yet and it already seems to have corrected, the fiddle leaf fig is a grower... It already seems to have spread to more leaves and worsened April ( and warmer temperatures ) that scenario things! To fertilize them then they may get their energy from sunlight and present. A year lost potential dying shorting after can be somewhat challenging so it ’ s important! First time potentially the cause ( see before on left and after pic on )!, where a poor soil makes fertilizing something of a vase that hid ugly and. And carbon dioxide. ) polish on what you practice soda to see it!