Hello all,

I am having some issues with my indoor/outdoor Fiddle Leaf Fig. I live in Chicago, so when it's cold, Fig Newton comes indoors. Right now, he is losing his leaves and the brown spots on his leaves are getting larger. I also found a new leaf all crumpled up and dead. I don't really have an ideal window for him to be in. I am in a smaller two story walk-up and surrounded by 4 stories and higher that are blocking our sun. I got him a special light and use that to get him his sun. Is there anything else that I am missing?

@gtg308x

Fiddle leaf ficus is a really tough plant, but let's understand that these are trees in nature, and being such, they need a good bit of light to do well inside. From what you tell me your plant needs more light. What bothers me more than the plant losing some older leaves is that you said it lost a new leaf. A plant's protective mechanism when stressed is to lose lower, older leaves, never newly formed leaves. Check for pests on your plant. You might have an insect problem. Also, be sure that your plant is growing in an ample-sized pot. These plants have a strong root system and need room for those roots. Also, be certain that the potting soil used is well draining. The soil should always be slightly moist but never soggy wet. Too much retained water will suffocate the roots. Lastly, be sure that your plant is not positioned directly under a heat register.

It would be helpful if you post some photos, really good photos, of leaves/full plant/and growing area (showing lighting). The more photos the better. Also, even though you stated that you were in Chicago, go to your "Profile" and update your public profile showing your location. That way, every time you post, your location will show. It is often important to know where you are when posting questions or answers on NGA.

Hi gtg308x,

Dry, indoor heat in the winter may be an issue also; tropical plants like high humidity so I'd suggest increasing humidity around the plant as much as possible.

Hello everyone. I recently got my first fiddle leaf approximately 1 month ago. It was indoors at a plant shop without much light. At that time it had one or two leaves with brown edges. I took it home and Put it in a spot that was not too much sun and potentially drafty from the AC. I realized about a week ago that this was a mistake. It started getting brown along the edges of some of the leaves and some of them have turned completely brown. I recently moved it to a southern facing window where it gets indirect light all day. It is possible for me to open the curtain on the east side so it gets direct morning light. I have been watering approx every 1.5 weeks only when the top soil feels dry. A few of the leaves have fallen off. I did fertilize it once with miracle gro. Do you think the tree is in shock from being moved to the new environment? Please help!! I really am committed to providing the best care for this tree.

, Jhencier. I sent you a T-mail in response to the questions sent to me.

The increased stem spacing between the leaf sets toward the top of the plant is a clear indication that it has not had adequate light in recent months. This is a light-loving plant so I recommend that you move it to a location right in front of your sunniest window that should be completely uncovered throughout the daylight hours. Water it as soon as the surface of the soil feels just barely damp.

The brown spots can be caused by inadequate light and/or improper watering. Unfortunately, the brown never goes away unless you trim it off. However, with proper care, new leaf growth should be a healthy green

I sent Jessica a T-Mail, basically saying the same things as you, Will. I also asked her to insert her location, but so far, she hasn't.

Hello,

I'm having similar issues with my fiddle-leaf fig and wondered if you would have some advice.

The plant looked healthy when I bought it in April, but there has been no hint of new growth. Every month or so a leaf falls off the bottom, with brown crispy edges. Over the last few weeks, the inner edge of the top leaf has also started to look a little yellowy/green.

Fertilizer: I have fertilized it once.
Water: I try to keep it so that it doesn't dry out completely, but I wait until the soil is dry a few inches down before watering.
Light: It's currently sitting next to a north-west facing window - so it gets direct evening sun for about 2hrs a day. I could move it to a South West window where it would get about 5hrs of afternoon direct sun.

I know the answer is too much/too little water or too much/too little light. But which one?

I would love this plant to survive so would really appreciate any help if you have time.
Many thanks
Helen

Hi Helen - More light in the SW window would be an improvement, although where you have it now is adequate. I think the primary problem is that you are allowing it to dry too deep into the pot. I would not allow more than the top half-inch of soil to dry before watering thoroughly. It is the dryness that is causing the brown patches.

This is my comment via T-Mail, after I asked her to show me what the root-ball looked like. I had already addressed the light issue with her.

"Yep, I think we probably have discovered the problem. The plants are literally dying of thirst. Soak that root-ball in a large sink or a large bucket of water overnight and then let's up-pot them. You don't have to split the plants up but you certainly can if you want two separate trees. I make all my own media, but yes, regular potting soil is OK. Go to a pot that is about 4" wider.

This is one of the problems when purchasing nursery-grown trees. That large nursery probably had an automatic watering system and these trees were perhaps getting a slow watering daily or even twice daily. They don't grow plants like a hobbyist would. Everything that a big-box store would carry is grown in huge, commercial nurseries."

Hi,
I have some browning of the bottom leaves of my two Ficus but I suspect it may be related to under watering. One of my trees sits in a well lit corner between a west-facing window and a north facing smaller window. The other sits in front of different west facing window without curtains but it is shielded from direct sunlight by a curvature in the wall. I have given each of my trees 2 good drinks since purchasing ( 3 ft. tall Ficus lyrata). There is a possibility that I am rotting the roots but I have been very careful to let the top layer dry before watering. Also, the pot is light so I know the plant is on the dryer side. My question is this, I want to report both Ficus but do not know which soil to use. I am willing to make my own soil if need be but would prefer to find a premade mixture. Also, I was wondering if any of you have experimented repotting ficus lyrata with Jack's Bonsai succulent mix or with clay pebbles/balls? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
In Houston BTW.

Ficus lyratas are not particularly fussy about their potting mix as long as it has the standard amount of porosity. However, I am not convinced that repotting it is necessary. If you water thoroughly (until some water trickles through the drain holes) and that keeps the soil moist for at least 3 or 4 days, then you don't have to worry about repotting.

Some of the information you provided suggests that you may not be providing an ideal amount of light. Lyratas do just fine in direct sunlight in most home environments. Corner locations in well-lit rooms usually do not permit enough light. Likewise, Lyratas that are located off to the side of a sunny window usually do not get enough light.

Hi,
I have a FLF that started out beautiful and full. I struggled finding its spot and unfortunately it lost a majority of it's leaves. As a last ditch effort, I put it outside and it has grown new leaves almost every day. I am wondering if it is possible for new growth to occur where former leaves were?

That rarely happens. In almost all cases, new growth comes in at the tip ends of the stems or branches and not below. The only way to get new foliage lower down is by pruning stems back to the point where you would like to see new foliage growth emerge.

I agree with Will, new growth comes from the tips and pruning encourages branching. As Fiddle's mature, they can and will grow new "trunks" at the base of the plant. My 25+ yr. old plant now has 11 trunks. She spends the spring and summer outside, under large oaks, and flourishes outside.

I need some HELP.I have never been successful at keeping a plant alive. With a lot of convincing and hesitation a friend gifted me a Fiddle Leaf Tree. She has one in her apartment and loves it. She specifically mentioned how easy they were to maintain. I am extremely committed to keeping this plant alive. I love her very very much and I fear its not as easy as she made it seem. This plant came from a nursery full grown. She is beautiful but upon further inspection could see some brown had been cut off. The gentleman who delivered her said to water her every 10 days with 1 qt of water. To not let the water pool at the bottom and empty the saucer. He said indirect sunlight was best. I have only one spot for her which is in between to windows that face north and west. the north window is blocked by a building and the west window gets decent sun. I live in sunny california however fall has begun and the weather is changing. More gloomy days which i fear will affect my tree. I have no other place for her that gets better sunlight and i am nervous. Today a leaf fell off and I'm on a spiral so I would love as much advice as possible. please see photos attached. ( side note : I bought a water stick and she is always moist except for on the 9/10 day it reads dry and thats when i water her )

The conventional advice is to provide indirect sun and don't over water. Unfortunately, many folks overestimate the available light and also tend to let their Fiddle-leafed Figs get too dry.

Under the best of circumstances, you should expect some leaf loss, particularly from the interior and lower portions of the tree. This is primarily a light issue because indoor light is never as intense as the light that these plants receive in greenhouses. The light you have is less than ideal but should be enough for your tree to survive. Do whatever you can to increase the light by centering it in front of the taller window, if possible. The more light it receives, the more leaves it will be able to support.

Moisture meters are notoriously inaccurate and can be very misleading. The suggestion that you add a quart every 10 days will probably lead to under watering. I suggest that you water thoroughly as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to your touch. I suspect you will find that happens about once per week. When you water, add just enough so that a little trickles through the drain holes.

New growth will appear only at the ends of stems and never lower down. Over time, that will cause your tree to look leggy and a bit overgrown. Don't hesitate to prune back long and leggy stems to keep your tree looking fuller and more compact. Pruning never affects the health of the plant. It only affects its appearance.

thank you. do you recommend i fertilize it now? if so what are the guidelines for that

Fertilizer is vastly overrated. If the light is good enough to encourage healthy new growth, then you can fertilize monthly at half strength, but no more than that. Never use it as a medicine or treatment for plant problems.

Eight months later, I wanted to add a (happy) update.

After @drdawg worked through the issue with me, it turns out that my fig was severely root bound and was literally dying of thirst (all the roots were around the edge of the pot and the water would run straight through). After repotting it and leaving it by a window that doesn't get direct sunlight, this is how it looks now.


Super shiny leaves, lots of new growth and a happy plant.

Just replying here to say thanks and to show some evidence that the solution worked :)

Finally, I just saw now that @willc also replied with excellent advice. Thanks also for the support

habusaru said:Hello,

I'm having similar issues with my fiddle-leaf fig and wondered if you would have some advice.

The plant looked healthy when I bought it in April, but there has been no hint of new growth. Every month or so a leaf falls off the bottom, with brown crispy edges. Over the last few weeks, the inner edge of the top leaf has also started to look a little yellowy/green.

Fertilizer: I have fertilized it once.
Water: I try to keep it so that it doesn't dry out completely, but I wait until the soil is dry a few inches down before watering.
Light: It's currently sitting next to a north-west facing window - so it gets direct evening sun for about 2hrs a day. I could move it to a South West window where it would get about 5hrs of afternoon direct sun.

I know the answer is too much/too little water or too much/too little light. But which one?

I would love this plant to survive so would really appreciate any help if you have time.
Many thanks
Helen