How To Save A Dying Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Plant lovers have a constant need to bring different plants and nurture them. One highly popular houseplant that lends an aesthetic feel to a space is the Fiddle leaf fig. These are African natives and are known to be highly temperamental. That means any slight difference in the desired environmental conditions can lead to distress for the plant. Thus, acquiring Fiddle leaf fig, while an excellent choice, is also a tough one.

Did you recently observe the yellowing of the fiddle leaf fig leaves? What about droopy leaves? These symptoms indicate that the houseplant is suffering. If you are not careful, the plant might even end up dying. That is why it is essential to monitor the health of the fiddle leaf fig carefully. It enables house owners to take immediate action when they witness symptoms that indicate the plant is in peril.

TL; DR

There are different ways one can save a dying Fiddle leaf fig. However, in order to rescue your favorite houseplant, you need to identify the reason that has led to this condition. After that, you can use appropriate action to resolve the problem. You can start by making sure that the plant has the optimum environmental conditions needed to thrive. For that, check out sunlight, watering schedule, soil mixture, and humidity.

Can You Save A Dying Fiddle Leaf Fig?

Here is the most critical question – Is it actually possible to save a dying Fiddle leaf fig? Well, the answer depends on the cause. In order to revive the houseplant, it is vital to investigate and discover what is causing the condition in the first place. After that, you can adopt suitable strategies to resolve the issues. Here are some causes and solutions –

1. Overwatering

Fiddle leaf figs are prickly. As such, too much water tends to cause problems. As with most plants, new plant owners fail to understand the water requirements of the plant. The result is the eventual death of the plant. In order to avoid this, it is vital to make sure that you do not overwater your stunning Fiddle leaf fig plant.

There are several problems that can arise due to overwatering the plant. For instance, you can witness root rot, stunted growth, leaves falling off, etc. Now, that you have already given the plant too much water, it is time to remedy the problem.

For that, you need to stop providing water to the plant immediately. Allow the soil to become dry before you water the plant again. Another thing that you need to do is check out the drainage aspect. Make sure that the pot has holes present at the bottom that are not clogged. The excess water needs to move out to prevent the rotting of the roots.

The soil of the plant must have excellent aeration properties. That way, it can absorb water quickly, avoiding the consequences of overwatering. Besides, it is vital to ensure that the plant gets sufficient sunlight. It aids in drying the soil. If the house doesn’t get enough natural light, opt for artificial glow lights.

It is vital that you check the moisture content of the soil before watering the plant. If you are a new plant owner, it will become hard to ascertain when the plant actually needs water. You can place your finger 3-4 inches beneath the soil and see if it’s moist. If it’s not, you can water the plant. Another trick is to use the moisture meter.

2. Lighting Problems

The ideal lighting condition for a Fiddle leaf fig is bright yet indirect sunlight. In case, natural sunlight doesn’t enter the room, you can use artificial lights. However, excess light or lack of it can lead to the occurrence of different problems.

The first lighting problem that you can encounter is excessive sunlight. As a result, you can witness brown spots on the leaves or scorched leaves. The second issue is the lack of light. In that case, you will come across droopy leaves, retarded growth, etc.

If the plant is getting too much sunlight, you need to shift the plant away from the light source. If you do not do that, the chances of the leaves getting sunburned increases. Besides, you need to prune the leaves that get scorched. There is no way to save those leaves.

Moreover, make sure that the plant is not kept under direct sunlight. While Fiddle leaf figs love sunlight, they cannot tolerate direct light for extended periods of time. That is why you need to place the plant away from that window. You can even use curtains in order to make sure that the plant doesn’t suffer from the harsh sunlight.

Lack of sunlight is also a significant issue. Here, you need to shift the plant somewhere it can receive ample sunlight. Just keep in mind that it is not advisable to expose the plant to direct sunlight. You can also use glow lights if there is a lack of natural light in the room.

Do you want to relocate the plant from outside to inside? In that case, you need to be extremely careful. Fiddle leaf figs are notoriously famous for being sensitive. Little changes to the environment around them can cause shockwaves to the plant, causing it to die.

3. Underwatering

Water is an essential component in the growth of the plant. Every plant requires water to survive, and the fiddle leaf fig is not an exception. If the plant doesn’t get enough water, it will dry out, causing slow growth of the plant. Ultimately the plant may die.

Underwatering can lead to a wide range of problems. For instance, you can witness slow growth, drooping leaves, leaves falling off, etc. Besides, you might also observe brown spots on the edges of the leaves.

There are several solutions one can apply to resolve the underwatering issue. However, the first thing you need to do is make sure that the plant is watered thoroughly. In this case, spraying the water until the extra water seeps out is not a bad thing. The plants need this additional boost to get back to their original form.

You can also prune the damaged leaves. Make sure that you use a sterilized scissor for that. Another aspect that you need to consider is the watering schedule. You must frequent the watering of the plant in order to make up for the lack of water. The best way is to give a shower to the plant. Let the plant rejuvenate before you start monitoring the water regimen.

Are you wondering how to prevent this underwatering problem? Check out the condition of the soil and make sure that it doesn’t get too dry. Keep in mind that Fiddle leaf figs thrive when the soil is misted. Another aspect that you need to consider is the humidity level of the room. Low humidity levels can lead to the failure of retaining water. That is why it is vital to maintain the humidity levels.

4. Low Humidity

Fiddle leaf figs are native to African tropical rainforests. As such, these plants prefer humidity which, in turn, aids them in growth. It might not be possible to replicate the exact environmental conditions, but you need to try as much as possible. You need to make sure that the humidity level is within 30-65%.

Lack of humidity can cause multiple issues for the plant. It can lead to drying of the leaves, brownish hues on the leaf tips, fungal infections, etc. In that case, you need to work towards maintaining the humidity level.

There are multiple solutions you can apply to fix the low humidity situation. You can use a humidifier to improve the humidity levels. Another aspect you must consider is using a tray filled with tiny stones. Use the pebble tray and fill it with water, and then keep the plant on the pebble tray. As the water evaporates, the plant will extract moisture from the tray. That benefits the houseplant immensely.

In order to keep a check on the humidity level of the room, you can use the hygrometer. After reading the result, you can take appropriate action. Try shifting the plant to another room if the humidity is particularly low in that space.

5. Repotting

Repotting the Fiddle leaf fig can lead to a wide range of issues. That is why it is vital to be cautious while you transplant it. Fiddle leaf figs love consistency and do not prefer moving frequently. Transplant shock can lead to the death of the plant. It is usually the stress that leads to leaf loss or drooping leaves after repotting the houseplant.

Changes in temperature, soil drainage capacity, humidity level, and sunlight can lead to the Fiddle leaf fig dying. The indoor plant is extremely sensitive, and thus even minor changes can have a negative impact on its health.

Even repotting the plant to a big container can cause it to die. That is why it is essential to avoid repotting or transplanting Fiddle leaf figs.

But, if repotting is absolutely essential, you need to replicate the ideal surrounding conditions. The temperature must be within 65ºF to 75ºF, the humidity levels between 30-65%, indirect yet bright light, and well-aerated soil filled with the essential nutrients. These conditions will offer more chances for the plant to survive the transplant.

Another thing that you need to consider is the season. The best time to repot the plant is the summer or the spring season. These are the seasons where the plant grows actively, making it more resilient to repotting. You also need to buy an appropriately sized pot. Buy one size larger than the previous one for best results.

Common Symptoms That Indicate That Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Might Be Dying

There are several signs which indicate that you have an unhealthy Fiddle leaf fig. Knowing more about them will help you to understand the underlying causes. After that, you can administer the best solution and prevent the plant from dying. Here is a list of symptoms that you need to look out for –

• Curled leaves
• Whitish coloration of the leaves
• Too much leaf loss
• Yellowing of the leaves
• Holes present in the leaves
• Brown spots
• Drooping leaves

Note: No matter the cause, Fiddle leaf figs need gentle treatment to survive the existing trauma. Besides, you need to give the plant a significant amount of time to recover.

Tips To Rescue A Dying Fiddle Leaf Fig

There are various tips and suggestions you can follow to bring your Fiddle leaf fig back to life. Here are some handy ones listed. Take a look –

• Refrain from repotting the Fiddle leaf fig again and again. There is no need to disturb the consistency of the houseplant. Opt for transplanting it only when you can visibly observe new growth. In that case, you will need to choose a bit larger pot and fresh soil.
• Do you see damaged buds on the plant? Your first thought might be to rip them out to save the plant, but you need to control that urge. Instead, keep an eye on that area and see if new growth occurs. You can take action accordingly.
• If the Fiddle leaf fig becomes dry, it will have a negative impact on the health of the plant. That means you cannot underwater the plant. You need to maintain a consistent watering schedule. However, you also need to ensure that the excess water seeps out from the pot.
• Do you see a brown leaf on the plant and want to pluck it right away? Don’t do that! Instead, opt for trimming out the edges. When you rip out the leaf, it may cause distress, harming the plant even more.
• Even if you see brown branches, do not prune them. The hard coverings are usually meant to offer protection to the new growth. Wait till spring, and you see will new leaves.
• One of the most valuable tips you need to acknowledge about Fiddle leaf figs is that the plant grows slowly. So, you need to be exceptionally patient. There is little to no growth activity in the winter season. Besides, you cannot expect overnight or immediate recoveries. You need to give the plant adequate time to revive itself.
• When you observe visible symptoms of pest infestation, immediate action is essential. However, you need to identify the pest in order to apply the right solution.

FAQs Related To Saving A Dying Fiddle Leaf Fig

Is it possible to grow back the fiddle leaf fig leaves?

Yes, it is possible to regrow the Fiddle leaf fig leaves. However, you need to make sure that the environmental conditions are optimum for the plant. Moreover, you also need to take a look at the season. It is possible for the plant to grow leaves during summer and spring if all the other conditions are ideal.

Can changing the pot make a difference in reviving the fiddle leaf fig?

One of the ways to save a Fiddle leaf fig from dying is to change the pot. When the plant grows, it needs a perfect-sized pot. If the container is too small, the roots will struggle to absorb nutrients, affecting the growth of the plant. However, if the container is too big, you can encounter root rot. It is vital to make sure that you repot the plant gently.

How to save fiddle leaf figs with drooping leaves?

In order to save the dropping leaves of the fiddle leaf figs, you need to replicate the environmental conditions of the place of its origin. That includes temperature within 65ºF-75ºF, humidity between 30-65%, soil with drainage, and sufficient sunlight. Water the plant only when you see two inches of the topsoil dry. Opt for a humidifier to maintain the humidity levels, or you can try misting the plant.

Why are my fiddle leaf fig leaves producing brown spots?

The primary cause that leads to the development of brown spots in the Fiddle leaf figs is overwatering. Moreover, poor drainage can also cause this problem. That is why you need to make sure that the topsoil is dry before watering the plant. Roots tangled in water will eventually lead to root rot. As a result, you will witness brownish coloration of the leaves and gradual leaf loss.

Conclusion

Want to renovate your house and induce an aesthetic vibe? Try nurturing Fiddle leaf figs. It is a gorgeous houseplant exhibiting green, luscious leaves that enhance the beauty of space with ease. However, it is vital to understand that Fiddle leaf figs are prone to sensitivity and thus need a great deal of care and maintenance. You need to shower love, attention, and effort to maintain the health of the fiddle leaf fig. Any changes in the surroundings can cause shock, eventually causing the plant to die.

That is why it is vital to check out the plant health frequently. Keep a close eye and if you see any abnormal symptoms, take active action immediately. A slight delay can cause further distress, making it impossible for you to save the plant. Luckily, there are multiple ways you can rescue the dying Fiddle leaf fig. Have you recently saved your beloved Fiddle leaf fig? Tell us your experience and suggest tips in the comment section below.

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