One of the most common issues is the appearance of brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves.
But don’t let your Insta-worthy show plant become a candidate for the compost pile.
Heres a quick list of reasons a fiddle leaf figs leaves turn brown and how to fix the problem.
Credit:Crystal Bolin Photography / Getty Images
Overwatering
Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive to overwatering.
One of the most common causes of brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves isroot rot resulting from overwatering.
Root rot happens when fiddle leaf fig roots sit in soggy soil too long or dont have sufficient drainage.
Credit:Brie Williams
Overwatered roots drown, die, and become unable to take in nutrients from the soil.
Choose a pot thats just 2 or 3 inches wider than the root ball of the plant.
Solution
Allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
Be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole.
Going forward, adhere to a consistent watering schedule so your plant stays moist, not soggy.
If the leaves are also drooping, thats often a sign that the plant needs water.
The droop is brought on by a lack of water in the plants system.
Fix it by adhering to a consistent watering schedule.
The obvious answer to the drooping is to water immediately.
But to prevent this issue from recurring, adhere to a consistent watering schedule.
Sunburn
Fiddle leaf figs need protection from the afternoon sun.
They preferbright, indirect lightor shade.
If yours gets too much direct sunlight, the leaves can burn.
The technical term for this is leaf scorch.
Sunburned leaves get brown spots that look bleached on the edges.
Sometimes, the burned leaves turn a shade of red-brown.
Move your plant to a place without direct sunlight.
Then prune off those ugly burned leaves.
They wont turn green again; once theyre burned, theyre burned.
Trimming them off encourages your fiddle leaf fig to grow new leaves.
Pest Infestations
Insects can cause a fiddle leaf figs leaves, stems, and branches to develop brown spots.
Themost common culprits are mealybugs, teeny insects that suck the sap out of the plant.
Pests attack plants that are already stressed by incorrect watering or sunlight.
The first line of defense against pests is a good offense.
Give your fiddle leaf fig the proper conditions to help it fend off pests on its own.
If pests attack your plant, cut off infected or dying leaves and put them in the trash can.
If your fig tree is small enough, wash it off in the shower to help dislodge remaining pests.
If it’s too large, treat the plant withneem oil.
Brie Williams
5.
Low Humidity
Light brown spots scattered across fiddle leaf fig leaves can be triggered by dry air.
Fiddle leaf figs suffering from dry air have an overall wilted appearance.
These plants need humidity levels between 30% and 50%.
Dont put your plant near a draft, air vent, or radiator.
Or, use a humidifier toincrease the humidity(which your other houseplants will also appreciate).
Use a balanced fertilizer.
Natural Plant Aging
Brown spots on fiddle leaf fig leaves arent always a sign of a problem.
The older leaves toward the bottom of the plant may naturally turn brown for this reason.
