Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is native to tropical Africa and a member of the fig/mulberry family, Moraceae. This popular houseplant is known for its large, green leaves and finnicky nature. If you own this houseplant, you may have noticed the leaves drop or brown- with some changes to your plant’s environment you can avoid the common problem of fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves.
One of the most common signs of trouble in a fiddle leaf fig is dropping leaves. Your fiddle leaf fig may be losing leaves due to several reasons including:
- Inadequate sunlight
- Improper watering
- Pest infestation
- Dry air
- Bacterial disease
- Plant shock
Fortunately, you can correct the leaf drop if the underlying cause is fixed. Continue reading to learn about how to prevent a fiddle leaf fig from dropping its leaves as well as care tips to help it thrive.
Inadequate sunlight
Fiddle leaf figs have large leaves, so they need more sunlight than other houseplants to absorb sufficient energy. Dropping leaves are commonly due to your plant not receiving enough sunlight.
Provide your fiddle leaf fig with bright, indirect light. It is important for your fiddle leaf fig to receive the appropriate amount of light- too much light causes leaf burn, but too little light leads to thin, stretched-out stalks and leaf drop.
If your fiddle leaf fig is in a shady area, increase the amount of light it receives over a few days. Be careful not to suddenly increase the light exposure as that can shock the plant and burn the leaves. Brown sunburn spots will not turn green again but you can trim them off if they are unsightly.
Place the fiddle leaf fig directly in front of a south or west facing window because they provide several hours of bright light that the plant’s large leaves require. If placed in a full-sun location (over 6 hours of direct light daily), provide your fiddle leaf with more humidity.
Avoid north facing windows as they are too low-light for this houseplant.
Note: Clean the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig every few weeks to keep the cleans so they can photosynthesize appropriately. Be sure to rotate the plant once a month to keep it growing straight.
Over watering
Another common cause of fiddle leaf figs dropping leaves is over watering. Over watering leads to root rot, which can kill the plant. Root rot is especially likely when the plant is not receiving enough sunlight.
Other signs of an over watered plant include: black or brown spots on the leaves, wilting stems, soaking wet soil, black slimy roots.
Follow these steps to help your over watered plant:
- Stop watering the plant completely and let the soil dry out.
- Gently remove the plant from its pot and clean the soil off its roots.
- Cut off the rotten roots, cleaning the scissors with rubbing alcohol between each cut to avoid spreading the rot. Cut off any damaged leaves.
- Let the roots dry in fresh air for a few hours.
- Clean the pot with soap and warm water. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, plant in another pot that does.
- Fill the pot with new soil. Add in a few cups of perlite or gravel to increase drainage of the soil.
- Place the plant in a sunny, well-ventilated room. Avoid watering for two weeks. Do not mist the plant during this time because the extra humidity worsens rot.
If the damage is extensive and the plant has lost a lot of leaves, you may not be able to save it. If that is the case, cut off the healthy stems that do not have any signs of rot and propagate those.
How to water fiddle leaf figs
Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry. Water enough to moisten the soil, then wait for the top layer to dry before watering again. This routine mimics the plant’s natural habitat and prevents over watering. Fiddle leaf figs are picky with their watering needs, so play around with the watering frequency until you find what your plant likes.
Keep in mind fiddle leaf figs require less frequent watering in cooler temperatures or low light environments. During the winter time, water less often because the plant is dormant.
Well draining, porous soil and pot with a drainage hole are also crucial to prevent over watering. Choose a well draining soil and mix in a few cups of perlite or gravel.
A terracotta pot with a drainage hole also helps the excess water flow out. Chose a pot that is the right size for the rubber plant- too small of a pot prevents growth while too large of a pot retains extra water and drowns the roots.
Under watering
Under watering is also a big cause of dropping leaves. When the fiddle leaf fig is under watered, the rim of the leaves starts to brown and curl inwards, which eventually spreads throughout the leaf. Underwatered leaves that have fallen will be either fully brown or mostly brown and dry to the touch.
Water your fiddle leaf fig until the soil is moist then allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again.
Signs of an under watered plant:
- Curling leaves
- Floppy leaves
- Dry, brown leaf tips
- Droopy stems
Keep in mind that fiddle leaf figs in full sun require more frequent watering.
Pest infestation
Fiddle leaf figs are especially susceptible to pests such as spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, or thrips. These insects suck on the plant sap, leading to distorted growth, discolored leaves, and leaf drop.
Unchecked infestations spread to other houseplants causing leaf drop and even plant death, so it is important to catch them early.
Signs of infestation include:
- Leaf drop
- Stunted or distorted growth
- Sticky white or black substances on leaves
- Discolored leaves
Closely examine the fiddle leaf fig for signs of infestation. Pay careful attention to the undersides of the leaves and the stem leaf junctions.
Follow these steps to get rid of an infestation:
- Check any plants next to the fiddle leaf fig because insects spread quite quickly. Quarantine any infected plants.
- Cut off the damaged sections.
- Wash the plant under a steady stream of water with an insecticidal soap to help dislodge the insects. Then, let the plant dry.
- Dab any remaining visible bugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
- Spray the plant with diluted neem oil or rubbing alcohol. Make sure to spray under the leaves and where the leaves meet the stem. Do not put the plant in direct sunlight while it is being sprayed with rubbing alcohol because it may burn the leaves.
Keep in mind, it may take a while to completely get rid of insects. Continue to spray once every 2 to 3 days for several weeks until the insects are gone.
Preventing infestations on fiddle leaf figs
- Check plants before purchasing to ensure they are free of pests.
- Quarantine any new plants that you are bringing home from outside for a few days.
- Check the fiddle leaf fig plant and any neighbors regularly for insects so that you can catch them early.
- Avoid over watering because damp conditions promote pest spread.
Dry air
Since fiddle leaf figs are native to tropical areas, they prefer warm and humid environments. Very dry or cold air causes the leaves to drop. Humid conditions help keep your fiddle leaf fig trees looking their best.
You can increase the plant’s humidity in one of the following ways:
- Place a humidifier next to the plant. This is one of the best ways to increase moisture and your other humidity-loving houseplants will thrive as well.
- Mist the air around the plant with a spray bottle (note: the water should evaporate off the leaves within a few minutes. Do not excessively mist the leaves or keep them soaking wet because that causes bacterial disease).
- Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water, then place the pot inside (make sure the pot is on the pebbles and does not sit directly in the water).
- Avoid sudden changes in humidity (such as constantly moving the plant from indoors to outdoors).
Keep the plant away from heater or cooler vents. Avoid exposing the plant to cold drafts.
Keep the plant in temperatures from 60 to 75 °F (15 to 23 °C). Do not expose the plant to very cold or very warm conditions because sudden temperature changes lead to leaf drop.
Check out these other plant specific care guides.
Plant disease
Infection with bacterial disease also causes leaf drop. Plant disease is promoted by excessively misting leaves and poor air circulation. When small puddles of water sit on the leaves for too long, the moisture causes damage.
Snip off the damaged leaves with gardening shears. Sterilize the shears in between each cut with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading bacteria.
Prevent the spread of bacterial and fungal disease by doing the following:
- Avoid excessively misting the leaves.
- Do not let the leaves stay wet for a long period of time.
- Keep the plant in a room with good air circulation.
Plant shock
Leaf drop may also be due plant shock from being moved to a new environment.
When bringing a new plant home from the nursery, it undergoes a large change environmental conditions (in humidity, temperature, and sunlight). In combination with the physical shock of the move, the plant may react to the shock by dropping several leaves, especially those at the bottom of the plant.
Plant shock also occurs when moving the fiddle leaf fig to a new room, repotting the plant, or bringing it indoors from outside (or vice versa).
Expect the fiddle leaf fig to drop a few leaves as it adjusts to its new home. Avoid moving the plant as much as possible because fiddle leaf figs do not like changes in their environment. Provide the plant with its ideal conditions (see below) during this time as it settles in.
Related article: Plant Shock & How to Avoid it
Fiddle leaf fig plant care tips
Provide your fiddle leaf fig with the following conditions to keep it happy:
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect light |
| Water | Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Water enough to moisten the soil. |
| Temperature | 60 to 75 °F (15 to 23 °C). Do not keep in very cold or very warm temperatures. |
| Humidity | High humidity |
In summary for fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves…
Do not be discouraged if your fiddle leaf fig is losing a lot of leaves- if the plant still has some leaves attached, it can be saved. By addressing the underlying problem, you can help stabilize your fiddle leaf fig and prevent it from dropping leaves in the future.
Causes of fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves include: inadequate sunlight, improper watering, pest infestation, dry air, bacterial disease, or plant shock.
Keep in mind that because fiddle leaf fig leaves are so large, it may take months to years to regrow lost foliage. Early action helps reduce the leaf loss.
Provide the fiddle leaf fig with the conditions listed above to help it thrive. Do not be scared by this plant’s finnicky nature- with proper care it makes a stunning addition to any home.
Have any other questions about fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves that I did not answer? Let me know down below!
