Although notoriously undemanding, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is still one of the most beloved houseplants and this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The beautiful leaves of Ficus Lyrata still make enthusiasts swoon for not caring about the added challenge these plants bring.
If you’ve noticed the foliage on your fiddleleaf fig tree cracking, know that it’s a call for help.
For Fiddle Leaf, fig leaves are cracking due to low humidity and excess water in the soil. These two are among the main reasons for your plant’s leaves to crack. Other causes include insect infestations, nutritional deficiencies, poor lighting conditions, or physical damage.
I hope this article will help you understand what is causing your problem and how to give your plants the loving care they deserve. let’s dive into
Humidity
Humidity plays a vital role in the health of your Fiddle Leaf Fig. She prefers levels between 30-65%.
This can be a bit tricky, especially in the winter when the heating is on for long periods. The dry heat will cause the leaves to burn and crack. Leaves may also curl due to low humidity.
How to fix
- Keep your plants away from heat sources such as radiators, refrigerators, hoods, stoves, etc.
- To create a less hostile environment for your plant, you can use a humidifier or a pebble tray.
- You can spray the leaves to keep them fresh and healthy.
excess water
In a desperate effort to keep the humidity high enough, the mistake of overwatering should not be made.
Overwatering is Fiddle Leaf’s number one killer. What makes overwatering so bad?
Edema
Common to broadleaf plants is a condition known as edema. This happens when plant cells absorb too much water and eventually burst.
On a fiddle-leaf fig, this often shows up as small reddish-brown spots on the new leaves.
With low humidity, these spots dry out and tend to crack.
rotten root
Some fungi, especially those belonging to the Pythium, Fusarium, Phytophthora or Rhizoctonia species, feed on the sensitive root system of the fiddle leaf.
Fungi thrive in wet conditions and when the root system is overwhelmed, the plant is unable to absorb water and nutrients.
This is why many people confuse too much water with too little water. It looks like the plant has dried out and lacked nutrients.
Without proper hydration and nutrition, FLF leaves dry out and eventually crack.
Other bacterial and fungal infections
In addition to water-loving fungi that attack the roots, they can also attack the leaves directly.
Lesions caused by fungal infections can be recognized by dark brown, almost black spots.
They usually appear near leaf nodes and near leaf veins. Damp soil can also harbor a variety of bacteria, some of which violin leaves are susceptible to.
Lesions caused by bacteria will appear closer to the edge and will be lighter in color than fungal infections.
If left untreated, brown spots tend to dry out and cause leaf edges to crack.
Troubleshooting too much water
Change your culture medium
It’s a double-edged sword when it comes to dealing with excess water. For plants that have unwanted bacteria and fungi, remove them.
With the right mix, the problem of drainage is also tackled. You can try adding a filler like coco peat or cactus mix to help the water drain faster through the medium.
Pro tip: Use a sterilized medium to make sure you don’t introduce unwanted bacteria or mold into the mix.
Some people choose to add pebbles to the bottom of the container before adding the potting soil so water doesn’t pool in the container.
check your drain
One of the reasons your Fiddle Leafs get too much water is the container. Some materials are less porous than others.
If you notice water retention at the bottom of your container, you may need to drill larger or larger drainage holes, or replace the pot entirely.
When watering your FLF, avoid wetting the leaves and water the soil directly to prevent water from pooling on the foliage.
Have a good watering schedule
Only water your plants when the top two inches of soil are dry. To learn more about how to properly water Fiddle Leafs, you can read my previous article.
insects
Besides bacteria and fungi, Fiddle Leaf Cracking can be attributed to insect infestation. Insects poach on young leaves.
The damaged portion of these younger leaves turn brown in places and eventually manifest as cracked leaves. Scale insects are reported as one of the most common culprits.
Scale insects can be found near leaf nodes and on the underside of the leaf. They are hard to miss as they look like little cotton wicks.
Mites are more difficult to detect. Although mites are microscopic, they leave traces of their presence: cobwebs, usually on the youngest leaves.
A second indication of the presence of these pests can also be found on the underside of the leaves.
If you notice small black dots clustered together, that could also be a sign of an infestation.
Other common insects known to screen Ficus Lyrata include scale insects, aphids, and whiteflies.
Fortunately, insects are much easier to deal with than bacteria and mold, as they are easier to detect and identify.
How to fix
massage
The mites can be easily removed by washing them well with water. Be sure to dry the leaves to discourage bacterial and fungal growth. Mealybugs are a little more tenacious.
You must delete them manually. Carefully inspect the undersides and leaf nodes for the presence of scale insects. As soon as you see an egg, rub it with rubbing alcohol.
Neem oil is also said to control insect infestations. You can follow the manufacturer’s dilution recommendations when applying.
It’s important to know that even if you can’t remove the caterpillars, at least give your Fiddle Leaf Fig a fighting chance, especially the new leaves, by keeping them at bay.
Cut off the infected areas, keep in mind that the foliage should be cut by 10-15%, otherwise you will cause a shock to the already fragile plant.
Source: California University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Quarantine
It may be a good idea to separate plants that harbor insects. This will limit the epidemic.
To be on the safe side, quarantine them first when you want to bring in a new plant.
For example, the full life cycle of a mealybug is six to eight weeks.
An isolation of about 3 weeks is recommended before adding new plants to the rest.
This amount of time should be sufficient to determine if the unwanted insects are actually present.
nutritional deficiency
It doesn’t take much to keep a fiddle leaf plant happy. It prefers low levels of NPK with a ratio of 3:1:2. Without this proper nutrition, your plant’s leaves can begin to crack.
As mentioned above, root rot can prevent your plant from absorbing nutrients from the soil. Plant nutrition is a balancing act; it is also possible to over-fertilize.
When salts and nutrients build up in the soil, the principles of osmosis move the water (and water-soluble nutrients) away from the roots.
The result is plants that are waterlogged and appear malnourished. Leaves in this state tend to dry out and crack.
How to fix
Follow a good fertilization regime, with diluted liquid fertilizer no more than every other watering.
Bad light can cause cracks
It’s a known fact that the Fiddle Leafs like light. But there is too much of a good thing.
FLF can show leaf burn if left in the sun too long or too soon. The sunburned area will appear light brown in color and prone to cracking.
How to fix
Find a light spot with filtered light for your plant. FLFs can even thrive in direct sunlight, but they need to be acclimatized, especially when moving your plant indoors to outdoors.
Try some mild sun in the morning for 1-2 hours for a few days, then go from there.
physical injury
Some cracks in fiddle leaf figs are caused by larger “predators”. Pets and small children can accidentally cause mechanical damage to your fiddlehead since they share the same space.
In some cases, even you, the plant lover, can damage your fiddle leaf when you move it.
If your plant is in a drafty area, the wind can cause leaf trauma.
How to fix
Keep your beloved violins away and separate your pets and curious children.
You may come to a point where you have to decide whether to fence your plants or your pets or your children. Only you can decide what is best for it.
If you are the cause of the damage, the plant may be too heavy or too tall to move on its own.
In this case, you can ask a friend or family member to help you, or add wheels to the base of your planter. Also leave a clear path in case you need to move your plant.
Unfortunately, once your FLF leaves are damaged, they hardly heal on their own.
For starters, the best thing you can do is create an environment that prevents damage.
To prevent your fiddle-leaf figs from bursting, water carefully and maintain humidity at optimal levels.
Provide the right food and keep an eye out for pests big and small.
last words
If there’s one thing you should take away from reading this article, it’s this: Fiddle Leafs are simply in search of their natural habitat, the lowland rainforest of West Africa.
If you are observant and can create similar conditions in your home, you will have a very lucky fiddle leaf fig and it will show.