Why Is My Indoor Fig Tree Losing Leaves?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Leaf drop is generally caused by getting too much or too little water . But exposure to temperature extremes—either hot or cold—can also cause Fiddle Leaf Figs to drop their leaves.

Do indoor fig trees lose their leaves?

Fig trees (Ficus carica) can be challenging to grow as houseplants year-round, since they usually lose their leaves and drop into dormancy in autumn .

How often should you water an indoor fig tree?

Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig

The number one way to kill a fiddle leaf fig is to overwater it or not allow for proper drainage. Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days .

Do fig tree leaves grow back?

One thing to keep in mind with Fiddle Leaf Figs, once a leaf has been damaged there is really no resurrecting it. ... Fiddle Leaf Figs do not regrow lost leaves the way the Rubber Plants can. So keeping them healthy is super important because once the leaf is gone, it’s gone.

How can you tell if a fig tree is overwatered?

  1. The area around the tree is constantly wet.
  2. New growth withers before it’s fully grown or becomes light green or yellow.
  3. Leaves appear green but are fragile and break easily.

Do indoor fig trees need a lot of light?

The fiddle-leaf fig needs the kind of light most houses and apartments naturally provide — not too much, not too little, nothing too bright, nothing too dark.

Do indoor fig trees lose their leaves in winter?

Answer: Environmental conditions indoors during the winter months are often rather poor . Low light levels, cold drafts, low relative humidities, and other environmental factors are stressful to plants. The stressful conditions may cause figs and other houseplants to shed a few leaves in winter.

How do you care for an indoor fig tree?

Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees prefer to dry out slightly between waterings , and while they take a good deal of water to keep healthy, soggy soil will drown the plant. If your leaves start to brown and fall and the soil is moist, let the plant dry out until the soil becomes completely dry.

How do you care for a potted fig tree?

After planting your fig tree in its container, water it well , then add a layer of mulch. The mulch will keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. During hot summer weather, your fig tree may need more frequent watering, possibly even daily.

How much light does a weeping fig need?

Indoor plants, like weeping figs, need at least six or more hours of sun daily . If the plant does not get enough sun, it may have problems with growth and leaf drop. Because weeping figs require filtered light, placing them in area with bright, direct light or too close to a sunny window can cause the leaves to burn.

Is my fig tree dying?

One of the most common signs your ficus is dying is when its leaves either all “drop” or begin to yellow . Of course, in the fall and winter, this is very normal to happen, but during other months this is not normal. If you start to see your tree become barren, make sure to look at its soil and feel around its base.

What is wrong with my fig tree?

Major Fungal Diseases of Fig Trees

Fig Rust – This fungus causes leaves to turn yellow-brown and drop in late summer or early fall. ... Leaf Blight – Pellicularia kolerga (leaf blight) is another fungus that attacks leaves, though it causes spots that start yellow and appear water-soaked.

How do you save a tree that has been overwatered?

If you see that a tree is overwatered, just stop watering it temporarily . Give it about a week or so, depending on the severity of the accumulated water, and simply let it dry out. Before you water it again, do the screwdriver test, and only water the tree where it needs it.

Why are my fig tree leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Water, or its lack, is probably the largest cause of stress for your fig tree. Yellow leaves can be the result of either too much or too little water . ... Fig tree roots grow close to the surface to absorb every drop of rain that falls. The water that isn’t absorbed quickly drains through the porous soil.

What kind of fertilizer do fig trees need?

Trees kept in containers need fertilizer more often than trees planted in the ground. To fertilize your fig trees, give them a slow release fertilizer that’s well-balanced, like formula 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 , once in the spring and once in the fall.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.