Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Falling Off

Seeing your fiddle leaf fig leaves falling off can be really worrying. It’s a common problem, but it’s often a sign your plant is trying to tell you something. Don’t panic. With a little detective work, you can usually figure out the cause and help your plant recover. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons and exactly what to do about each one.

When leaves drop, it’s a symptom. Your job is to find the root cause. The key is to look at which leaves are falling and how they look before they drop. This gives you the first big clue. Are the older, lower leaves yellowing and falling? Or are the newer, upper leaves turning brown and crispy? Let’s break it down.

1. The Most Common Culprit: Watering Issues

Overwatering and underwatering are the top reasons for leaf drop. Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive to their soil moisture. They like a specific routine.

Signs of Overwatering

Leaves turn yellow, starting at the edges and moving inward.
Leaf drop affects multiple leaves, often the older ones first.
The soil stays wet for many days after watering.
You may see dark brown or black spots on the leaves.

How to Fix Overwatering

Stop watering immediately. Let the top few inches of soil dry out completely.
Check the roots. Gently remove the plant from its pot. Healthy roots are white and firm. Rotting roots are brown, black, and mushy.
Trim away any rotten roots with clean scissors.
Repot the plant into fresh, well-draining potting mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
Adjust your watering schedule. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry.

Signs of Underwatering

Leaves turn brown, dry, and crispy, starting at the edges.
Leaves may curl or droop before falling.
The soil pulls away from the edges of the pot.
The pot feels very light.

How to Fix Underwatering

Give your plant a thorough, deep watering. Water slowly until it runs freely from the drainage holes.
If the soil has become hydrophobic (repels water), soak the entire pot in a sink of water for about 30 minutes.
Establish a consistent schedule. Check the soil moisture weekly.

2. Not Enough Light

Fiddle leaf figs need bright, indirect light to thrive. In low light, they can’t support all their leaves, so they shed them. The lower, older leaves are usually the first to go in this situation. The plant is basically conserving energy.

If your plant is in a dim corner, move it to a brighter spot. An east-facing window is ideal. A south or west-facing window is good too, but you might need to diffuse the light with a sheer curtain to prevent sunburn. If you don’t have good natural light, consider a grow light. Your plant will thank you for it.

3. Environmental Shock or Stress

These plants hate sudden change. Any big shift in their environment can trigger leaf drop. This is often called “transplant shock” or “relocation stress.”

Moving the Plant: Bringing it home from the store or moving it to a new room in your house.
Repotting: Disturbing the roots can cause temporary stress.
Drafts: Cold air from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents is a major trigger.
Temperature Fluctuations: They prefer stable temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).

The best approach here is patience. Choose a good spot with stable conditions and leave the plant there. Avoid moving it around. Minimize drafts and keep it away from heat vents. It should stop dropping leaves once it acclimates, which can take a few weeks.

4. Low Humidity

Native to tropical West Africa, fiddle leaf figs love humidity. Our homes, especially in winter with heating on, can be very dry. Low humidity causes leaf edges to turn brown and crispy, and can contribute to leaf drop.

Group plants together to create a more humid microclimate.
Use a humidifier nearby. This is the most effective solution.
Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (make sure the pot isn’t sitting in the water).
Misting can help a little, but it’s a temporary fix and isn’t as good as a humidifier.

5. Pest Problems

While less common, pests can weaken your plant and cause leaf loss. Check the undersides of leaves and along stems.

Spider Mites: Look for fine webbing and tiny moving dots. Leaves may look stippled or dusty.
Mealybugs: Look like small bits of white cotton fluff.
Scale: Appear as small, brown, bumpy shells stuck to stems and leaves.

To treat pests, first isolate your plant. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or use a gentle spray of water to dislodge mites. For persistent problems, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the product instructions carefully. You’ll need to repeat treatment to break the pest life cycle.

6. Nutrient Deficiency

If your plant has been in the same soil for years, it might be running out of food. A lack of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen, can cause older leaves to yellow and fall. However, this is usually a slower process and often accompanied by poor overall growth.

Feed your fiddle leaf fig during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Fertilize about once a month. Do not fertilize in fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows down. Over-fertilizing can burn the roots and cause more problems, so less is more.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis Checklist

Look at the fallen leaves. Are they yellow (overwater) or brown and crispy (underwater/ low humidity)?
Check the soil. Is it sopping wet, bone dry, or just right?
Feel the leaves. Are they limp or crispy?
Inspect for pests. Look under leaves and at leaf joints.
Review recent changes. Did you move it, repot it, or turn on the heat/AC?
Consider the light. Is it in a bright spot without direct hot sun?

By working through this list, you’ll likely pinpoint the issue. Remember, recovery takes time. Once you correct the problem, your plant will focus on growing new, healthy leaves. Don’t expect the dropped leaves to grow back on the same spot.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

The best way to deal with leaf drop is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Establish a consistent care routine:

Water consistently: Only when the top soil is dry.
Provide ample light: Bright, indirect light is non-negotiable.
Avoid drafts: Keep away from vents, fans, and leaky windows.
Clean the leaves: Dust them regularly so they can absorb light efficiently.
Rotate occasionally: Give the pot a quarter turn every time you water for even growth.

FAQ: Fiddle Leaf Fig Care

Q: How often should I water my fiddle leaf fig?
A: There’s no set schedule. Always check the soil first. Water only when the top 2-3 inches are completely dry. This might be once a week or once every two weeks, depending on your home’s conditions.

Q: Can a fiddle leaf fig recover from losing all its leaves?
A: Yes, it is possible if the stems and roots are still healthy. Provide perfect care—correct light, careful watering, and high humidity—and be patient. It can take months to see new growth.

Q: Should I remove brown spots on leaves?
A: You can trim off brown edges or spots for aesthetics, but use clean scissors and follow the natural shape of the leaf. If a leaf is more than 50% damaged, it’s better to remove the whole leaf so the plant doesn’t waste energy on it.

Q: Why are the new leaves on my fiddle leaf fig so small?
A: Small new leaves typically indicate insufficient light. The plant doesn’t have enough energy to produce full-sized leaves. Try moving it to a brighter location.

Q: Is leaf drop normal?
A: Losing one or two lower, older leaves every now and then can be part of natural growth. But sudden or significant leaf loss is a sign of stress and needs attention.

Seeing your plant struggle can be discouraging, but fiddle leaf figs are resilient. By observing carefully and adjusting your care, you can usually solve the mystery of the falling leaves. The goal is to create a stable, happy environment where your plant can focus on putting out those beautiful, large leaves it’s famous for. Take a deep breath, check your plant’s soil and light, and go from there.