The fiddle-leaf fig tree (Ficus lyrata) is one of my favorite houseplants. Thanks to the thick, glossy leaves that make a bold statement in my interior space. But fiddle leaf figs are vulnerable to leaf drop when stressed.
So why is my fiddle leaf fig tree dropping leaves? Your fiddle leaf fig tree may drop leaves due to improper watering, temperature extremes, lack of humidity and changes in light levels. It can also be due to root binding, aging, pests and diseases.
confirmation of a the fiddle leaf fig tree loses its leaves It may sound simple, but there are a few things you need to know. Keep reading this article to identify the exact causes and techniques to fix them without losing your small indoor tree.
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10 common causes of leaf drop
Fiddle-leaf figs are among the most temperamental houseplants. The houseplant reacts in different ways to unsuitable conditions. Below are the causes of fiddle leaf fig leaf drop:
Too much water
Watering fiddle leaf figs is a crucial technique to master. Overwatering your Ficus lyrata can alter the plant’s pH and drown out the roots. Drowned roots inhibit proper water and nutrient uptake. (Character font: North Carolina State University)
fiddle leaf fig leaves autumn are among the first signs of root rot. Your Ficus can die if the saturated potting soil is not fixed over time. A severe root rot problem can also cause fiddleleaf figs to lose all their leaves.
It can be difficult to get a the fiddle leaf fig tree loses its leaves due to excess water. We recommend transplanting the plant into fresh potting soil. But be sure to prune and sterilize the brown-spotted roots before transplanting them into a well-drained potting mix.
very little water
Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out why your fiddle leaf fig tree is losing leaves. The fiddle leaf fig tree needs adequate water and nutrients to support healthy growth. Insufficient water supply can dry out your Ficus lyrata and cause leaf loss issues.
Too little water may be the reason why your fiddle leaf fig lost all leaves. Inconsistent watering habits will cause your houseplant’s leaves to blotch at the edges and curl inward.
Fiddleleaf fig leaves turn yellow or brown and drop from the plant. The leaves falling on flooded fiddleleaf figs usually affect all the leaves, not just the lower ones.
We advise you to water your small indoor tree to rehydrate it. The best option is to water the fiddle leaf figs weekly in the spring and summer. Be sure to reduce watering in winter due to dormancy effect.
lack of humidity
Ficus lyrata plants are native to tropical rainforests. These plants need more humidity than the average indoor counterpart. Most Ficus species prefer 60% or more humidity to thrive.
Indoor humidity below 40% will make your fiddle leaf figs tough. Falling fig leaves are among the signs of low humidity. The leaves of the houseplant begin to fall off, turn brown, then fall off.
We recommend moving your Ficus to the bathroom to solve leaf drop issues. You can also install an electric humidifier to increase indoor humidity. Keep your fiddle leaf figs away from dehumidifiers and heating vents.
bad lighting
Fiddleleaf figs grow and thrive under the canopy in their natural habitat. Exposure to direct sunlight may cause your the fiddle leaf fig tree loses its leaves scorching and knock them down.
Additionally, low levels of sunlight in the winter will cause the fiddleleaf fig tree to lose all of its leaves. This happens because the plant stops using nutrients and water due to the dormancy effect.
Move your fiddle leaf figs to a location that receives direct and indirect sunlight. Use artificial light to keep light levels around your plant stable during the winter. These options will help prevent fig leaves from falling off.
Fertilization effects
Fiddle leaf figs are among the tropical plants that require less nutrients. But the application of fertilizer helps to promote leafy development and rapid growth. Feed your fiddle leaf figs once a month in spring and summer.
Too much fertilizer will burn the roots and prevent them from absorbing water. The houseplant will droop from dehydration and lose leaves or become crusty and then fall off the plant.
Additionally, insufficient nutrient supply for your fiddle leaf figs will result in yellowing and loss of leaves. Leaf problems are common when the plant goes a year or two without fertilization.
We recommend feeding your houseplant with a homemade fertilizer to avoid over- or under-fertilization. Another option is to not feed your fiddle leaf fig tree in the winter due to the dormancy effect.
stress or shock
Fiddle-leaf figs are the most temperamental houseplants. Moving them from one point to another or transporting them from plant stores will cause stress. During the stress period, your fiddle leaf fig tree will lose some leaves.
We recommend keeping your Ficus lyrate in a quiet room with minimal movement and indirect direct sunlight to enhance rapid acclimatization. Most houseplants take longer to adjust to a new environment and respond by shedding their leaves.
Fiddle leaf figs are less vulnerable to root problems. But this does not make Ficus invincible at the root. The roots can firmly stick to each other when they are in the pot for a long period of time.
Falling vine leaves can be one of the symptoms of root binding. We recommend transplanting the plant to prevent the leaves from falling. The best option is to transplant the fiddle leaf fig tree every two years.
Plagues and diseases
Fiddle leaf figs are less susceptible to pests or disease. But this does not make the plant invincible against pests and diseases. Spider mites and aphids are examples of creatures that attack fig leaves.
These insects suck cell sap and damage leaf tissue. Grapevine leaf drop is one of the first symptoms of pests. We recommend spraying your plant with insecticidal soap to eliminate pests.
Bacterial leaf spot can also cause fiddleleaf fig trees to lose leaves. Leaf problems are caused by watering the plant from above or misting the leaves to increase the humidity around the plant.
Normal aging effect
Fiddleleaf figs make great houseplants and can naturally lose leaves as they age. If you notice your fiddle leaf fig tree losing leaves on the bottom, don’t worry as these are older leaves.
Yellow fiddleleaf fig leaves drop to direct nutrients to growing areas. But if your fiddle leaf fig tree has lost all of its leaves, examine the plant and identify the exact cause. Aging is inevitable in houseplants and shedding of old leaves is normal.
Extreme temperatures
Indoor temperatures are vulnerable to sudden changes. These fluctuations will cause your fiddle leaf fig tree to lose leaves as it is quite sensitive. Cold or warm drafts will cause small leaves to fall between the fiddle leaf figs.
Leaves that fall due to drafts or temperature changes do not turn yellow before falling. We recommend keeping the plant away from drafts to prevent the leaves from falling off.
Is it normal for a fiddle leaf fig tree to lose leaves?
Most houseplants shed leaves as they age and redirect energy to new leaves for photosynthesis. If your fiddle leaf fig tree is shedding its old leaves down, that’s normal.
Don’t worry if your lower fig leaves turn yellow. It is a sign of aging and the leaves will eventually fall off. These leaves do not provide energy to the plant because they do not photosynthesize.
my last thoughts
Concentration and dedication are crucial when growing fiddle leaf figs. These moody houseplants are beautiful and ideal for making a bold statement. Improper care routines can cause fiddle-leaf figs to lose leaves.
We recommend providing adequate lighting, the right amount of water, and avoiding hot or cold drafts. Following these care routines will keep your fiddle leaf fig tree from dropping leaves.
If you’ve read this far, you may be having trouble with your fiddle leaf dropping fig leaves. We hope this article helps you resolve your blade issues. Feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions in the comments section.
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