Even with the best green thumb, every Fiddle Leaf Fig is going to drop a leaf or two now and then. It’s just part of being a plant parent! But if your leafy friend starts shedding like crazy, it’s time to play detective. Once you figure out what’s bothering your plant, getting it back on track is usually pretty straightforward.
Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Dropping Leaves?
- Watering Woes: Soil that’s too soggy, bone dry, or low humidity levels.
- Location Issues: Not enough light, chilly drafts, or moving the pot around too much.
- Hungry Plants: A lack of essential nutrients.
- Unwanted Guests: Pest infestations.
Nailing the Watering Routine
The *Ficus lyrata* (that’s the fancy scientific name) likes its soil to stay consistently moist, but never swampy. The golden rule? Let the top inch of soil dry out before you grab the watering can. Always make sure to empty the saucer after watering—nobody likes “wet feet.” Keep in mind that your plant takes a little nap in the winter, so you won’t need to water nearly as often then. If your home’s air is feeling a bit dry, give the leaves a nice misting with room-temperature water to keep them happy.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Fiddle Leaf Figs are total sun-seekers. Give them the brightest spot you have—they even love a bit of direct sunlight. During the summer, they’re perfectly happy in temperatures up to 85°F, especially if it’s humid. In the winter, they prefer things a bit cooler, around 60-70°F.
One pro tip: these plants love “warm feet.” If you have heated floors, your Fiddle Leaf will be in heaven! On the flip side, cold tile or marble floors can chill the roots. If your floor is icy, just slide a wooden board or a cork mat under the pot. Also, try to pick a spot and stick to it; moving them around causes stress, which leads to leaf drop. And definitely keep them away from drafty windows or AC vents!
Feeding and Nutrition
To keep those giant leaves looking lush, feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer for green houseplants every two weeks during the growing season. You can scale back in the winter. Don’t forget to repot your Fiddle Leaf every spring! Fresh soil is the best way to prevent nutrient deficiencies and keep the roots growing strong.
Keeping Pests at Bay
A healthy plant is the best defense against bugs. Pests like aphids, thrips, and spider mites usually show up when the air is too dry or the plant is stressed. Make it a habit to check under the leaves regularly. If you catch them early, you can deal with them before your plant starts losing its beautiful foliage.
Quick Tip:
Regularly prune the tips of young plants to encourage them to branch out and get that full, bushy look. Plus, you can use those cuttings as cuttings to easily propagate brand-new baby Fiddle Leaf Figs for free!
