Damaged fiddle leaf fig leaves can have many causes. A fiddle leaf can look truly awful when it’s not flourishing. It depends on why the plant has brown spots. Brown leaves in a fiddle leaf fig may be caused by a bacterial infection from Xanthomonas campestris. Once the problem is gone, you can prune the damaged leaves easily. Unfortunately it can be quite difficult to diagnose the issue, as most brown spots on Fiddles are caused by two opposing forces: over watering or under watering. I have a fiddle-leaf fig that was only one main stem and decided to cut it back this spring. This sap can irritate your skin, so make sure to wear gloves. Indoors, a fiddle leaf fig needs bright indirect light for best growth and health. Use a balanced organic houseplant fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 20-20-20. The plant will drop leaves and if the situation is not rectified, eventually the plant will die. It keeps plants from getting too tall – we have a FLF tree that keeps touching our 8 foot ceilings! Over-watering, for example, is a systemic issue. Refurbishing a sad fiddle leaf fig. Ultimately, pruning is up to you, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. If you are watering more than once a week, or if you have brown spots on the edges of your leaves, you might be overwatering. Ah, the age old question, how often should I water my fiddle leaf fig tree? Not to Prune (Maybe) Damaged Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves: Grab the Essentials for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig: Red Spots on New Growth on Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees here, article on pruning and shaping your fiddle leaf fig here. Leaf spot occurs when leaves are splashed during the watering process. Does it need its roots trimmed? Some trees will do just fine if you remove some leaves, and others will struggle. Both root rot and bacterial leaf spot will cause the leaves of your Fiddle Leaf Fig to eventually fall off. When fiddle leaf figs (and many other plants) develop problems, the main place it shows up is the leaves. It is that simple. The name comes from the leaf shape, which resembles a fiddle or violin. Yellow leaves indicate a problem, but they are still alive, so make sure to correct the problem so those leaves can recover. If you are so inclined, consider saving the healthy clippings and … Fiddle leaf figs are more susceptible than some to too much water, especially if the water stands around their roots. Native to west Africa, it is a popular houseplant because it is adaptable and attractive. In this case, remove the affected leaves and re-pot your tree. If the small brown spots on the fiddle leaf fig have just started, you can deal with the plant while keeping it potted. Tree – an older version, these have a bare trunk with leaves at the top. The plant that I topped now has two branches at the top which I want to cascade down when they get a little heavier. Dark brown spots will appear on the edges of the leaves and in the middle and will spread. Otherwise, here’s how to give it another chance: Cut off any brown or badly damaged leaves. Native to tropical rainforests, the fiddle leaf fig can be grown outdoors in warmer climates. Take care not to remove more than 10% of total leaves at once to avoid shocking your plant. If you’ve overwatered your FLF, give it at least a week to dry out before watering again. Fiddle leaf fig is a stylish and trendy indoor plant. Checking the roots can confirm the presence of root rot. Brown spots on the leaves. The only way to be certain that your plant has root rot is to remove the pot and inspect the roots. 2: Be patient. Cutting down some leaves and branches will allow better airflow for your plant. If the tips or edges of some leaves are brown, they can be trimmed off with scissors. Don’t expect to see any improvement before April (and warmer temperatures). Mites and mealybugs can attack fiddle leaf figs. Copyright © echo date(Y);?> Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource, Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food Moisture Meter, To Prune or Not to Prune: What to Do With Damaged Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves. If a few leaves tear when being moved or after run-ins with a child or pet, a healthy tree can stand to lose those leaves without going into shock. The benefits of taking Fiddle Leaf Fig cuttings. In most cases, a fungicidal application of 4-4-50 Bordeaux fungicide spray over the course of the summer will solve the problem. As an added bonus, it also cleans and adds shine to your houseplant’s leaves!). Sigh. See 5 Glamorous Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees.) The main way to propagate a fiddle leaf fig tree is by taking a cutting from the stem. Both show up as brown spots on the leaves, but leaf spot also causes black spots, which are the fungal colonies. Once the problem is gone, you can prune the damaged leaves easily. Cutting off brown spots might be fine – then again, it might not. But in most cases, you can save it! It can also be grown in a container and moved outdoors for the summer. Unfortunately, damaged fiddle leaf fig leaves will not repair themselves. The tip-off is the appearance of brown spots from the insects’ feeding, especially on the young, tender leaves they prefer. In its native habitat, the fiddle leaf fig produces both flowers and inedible fruits. It looks so much nicer! Black spots on fiddle leaf fig. Brown spots on leaves & leaves falling off. I have only been watering once a week and the soil has definitely been dry. It was probably 6 or 7 feet tall. Read more about Red Spots on New Growth on Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees here. If the fig tree does show signs of yellow to brown leaves, the problem may be twofold. The best time to prune your fiddle leaf fig is in the spring when there will be plenty of light to fuel recovery and new growth. Brown spots on fiddle-leaf ficus leaves may also result from insects feeding on the leaves, causing injured portions to brown and eventually die. Healthy roots should be a greenish-white color while sick roots are brown, slimy, and have a terrible odor. How to Avoid Fiddle Leaf Fig Brown Spots in the Future If more than half the leaf is damaged you should remove it so that energy is sent to healthy leaves instead. Fiddle leaf figs either have bare or leaf-covered stems or trunks. I decided how tall I wanted it to be and cut the rest off. Brown spots in and of themselves don’t cause leaf drop. Use a moisture meter to check if the roots have turned dry. Buy Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food on Amazon Now! If you're angling for a more tree-like look, your fiddle leaf fig pruning will involve removing the older lower leaves on the trunk, provided you have healthy growth happening on top of your plant. It’s common for the edges to turn brown first – then the brown spreads throughout the leaf. 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