On the subject of your fiddle-leaf fig dropping its leaves, it is necessary to determine the difficulty as quickly as attainable so you’ll be able to correctly tackle it. Usually, there are 4 main causes for leaf drop in fiddle-leaf figs. Figuring out the indicators and signs of every situation and the treatments will allow you to to promptly return the houseplant to well being.
Under, we’re sharing all the explanations your fiddle-leaf fig is dropping its leaves and the way to reserve it.
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Why Is My Fiddle-Leaf Fig Dropping Leaves?
- Shock: The plant can endure shock and drop its leaves when it’s uncovered to an abrupt temperature change, for instance, if you flip up the air conditioner. One other type of shock is transplant shock after repotting. If the leaves have been a wholesome inexperienced shade earlier than and dropped abruptly, the trigger is most probably shock.
- Overwatering: Overwatering doesn’t solely happen when you might have given your plant extreme quantities of water, the offender may also be compacted soil with poor drainage, so the water swimming pools within the pot. Different signs of overwatering are wilting leaves and soil with an disagreeable odor, which signifies root rot. A fiddle-leaf fig that suffers from root rot is unable to soak up water and vitamins, which causes the leaves to show yellow and ultimately drop.
- Underwatering: Similar to overwatering doesn’t trigger sudden leaf drop, it’s a gradual course of. If the plant will get much less water than it wants, the leaf suggestions and edge turn into brown, then the leaves flip dry and crispy, and also you’ll additionally discover some discoloration earlier than the leaves drop. Low humidity and dry indoor air, particularly in the course of the winter, can worsen the method.
- Pests: Spider mites or mealybugs suck the sap and different vitamins out of the leaves. A small variety of bugs feeding on the vegetation don’t essentially trigger noticeable harm however the heavier the infestation, the extra probably that the leaves flip brown and drop off.
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How you can Repair Dropping Leaves of Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Shock
To stop sudden temperature adjustments, keep a constant room temperature constant between 65 and 75°F. Hold your fiddle leaf fig away from air-conditioning and heating vents and drafts.
To keep away from transplant shock, solely repot the plant within the spring or early summer time throughout its energetic rising interval and by no means in the course of the winter when it’s dormant. If the plant is affected by transplant shock, all you are able to do is give it time to recuperate whereas protecting it well-watered with out overwatering it. Putting the plant in the best mild situations—filtered mild away from direct daylight—is vital for vegetation beneath transplant shock. Solar publicity creates extra pressure on an already confused plant.
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Overwatering
Cease watering a plant that reveals indicators of overwatering let the soil dry out, then begin watering once more reasonably when the highest two inches of soil really feel dry. Verify the soil drainage and the pot for satisfactory drainage holes and, if it’s in the course of the rising season, repot the plant to a brand new pot with contemporary potting soil and bigger drainage holes if wanted.
In the event you suspect the plant has developed root rot, gently take away it from the pot, Black, mushy, and smelly roots point out root rot. Even whether it is exterior of the really useful repotting season, you’ll must act shortly. Lower away any broken roots and repot the plant in a brand new pot with contemporary, well-draining potting soil. Ensure to discard any extra that drains out of the drainage holes; do not let the plant sit in water.
Underwatering
Place the plant within the kitchen sink and slowly water it till water seeps out of the drainage holes. If the soil is bone-dry, you may need to repeat this a couple of occasions till the soil absorbs water and feels moist to the contact a couple of inches down. Alter your watering schedule and ensure to not underwater the plant once more.
Verify the humidity degree in your house and place the plant on a pebble tray or use a humidifier.
Pests
Examine the plant for attainable pests or their indicators. Houseplant pests are tiny, so that you may want a magnifier to identify them. Additionally search for small webs or webbing, sticky residue on leaves or stems, reddish or brown spots, or small holes within the leaves.
The therapy of the pest depends upon the kind and severity of the infestation. Minor infestations can typically be eliminated by inserting the plant within the bathe or bathtub beneath a powerful blast of water. Extreme infestations require therapy with an insecticide for indoor vegetation.
FAQ
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Whether or not the fiddle-leaf fig regrows its leaves depends upon the extent of the leaf drop and the trigger. If a plant has misplaced a portion of its leaves however the issue is promptly fastened, it’s prone to recuperate. A totally defoliated plant with a extreme situation akin to root rot gained’t
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First, decide what causes the drooping leaves. Younger leaves are sometimes delicate and naturally droopy. One other attainable trigger for droopy leaves is transplant shock, simply give it time and water. If the plant wants water, its leaves additionally begin wanting limp and droopy—water it instantly.