Overwatering
Water your fig when the top 2 in (5.1 cm) of soil feels dry. Instead of sticking to a regular schedule, pay attention to how dry the soil feels, and only water when the top 2 in (5.1 cm) of soil dries out. When you do water your plant, let the water drain out completely, and don’t leave water sitting in the saucer under the fiddle leaf fig. Fiddle leaf figs are sensitive to overwatering, and too much water can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off. You may notice brown spots near the base of the leaf, spreading outward, or new leaves might have tiny reddish or brown dots. If your fiddle leaf fig is very heavy, it may be difficult to lift it out of the saucer when you water it. In that case, dip the excess water out of the saucer with a cup or remove it with a turkey baster.
Check for root rot if you suspect overwatering. Dig in the soil or lift the plant from the pot and check the roots of your plant. If the roots are brown and soft, cut off any of the damaged roots, remove the brown leaves, and replant the pot in fresh soil. Root rot is an infection that spreads from the roots of the plant up through the stems and leaves.
Underwatering
Don’t let your fiddle leaf dry out too much. Underwatering can cause as much damage to a fiddle leaf fig as overwatering. Regularly check your plant’s soil. When the top 2 in (5.1 cm) of the soil feel dry, water your fiddle leaf fig thoroughly—ideally, until water drains freely from the bottom of the pot. If your fiddle leaf fig is in a container and you can’t lift it, water the soil evenly until water pools in the saucer, then remove the excess water. If you’re underwatering your fiddle leaf fig, you might notice light-colored spots around the leaf veins. Over time, these will turn brown. The leaves might also turn brown and get a crispy texture.
Wrong Soil or Pot
Plant the fig in a snug pot with well-draining soil. Fiddle leaf figs prefer a slightly smaller pot, so if you [Repot-a-Plant|repot your plant]], choose a planter that’s only one size larger than the pot it’s already in—it should almost look too small. Fill it with a well-draining soil-based potting mix, like one with extra perlite Be sure your planter has plenty of drainage holes so water won’t stay pooled at the bottom. If your plant’s roots stay wet, the leaves will turn brown and fall off. If you want to put your fiddle leaf fig in a decorative planter that doesn’t have drainage holes, place it in a plastic nursery pot, then put that inside the decorative planter. Just be sure to pull the nursery planter out of the decorative pot when it’s time to water. To know if it’s time to repot, look for roots coming out of the pot’s drainage holes or up above the soil line.
Low Humidity
Keep the humidity around the plant above 40%. Fiddle leaf figs like a fairly humid environment, so it’s a good idea to use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in the air near the plant. Aim for around 40%, although anywhere from 30–65% is probably fine, as long as it’s consistent. If the humidity is too low, mist the fiddle leaf fig about once a day, or place the pot in a large tray full of damp pebbles. If humidity is the issue, you’ll likely notice brown spots forming on the tips of your leaves.
Inconsistent Temperature
Keep the temperature of your plant steady and between 60–80 °F (16–27 °C). While room temperature is typically fine for fiddle leaf figs, these plants are sensitive to big swings. Try to keep it in a place where the temperature will stay fairly consistent. Don’t place your plant under any drafts, like near an AC or heating vent, or near a stove or furnace. If the temperature fluctuates too much, the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig may turn brown and fall off.
Too Much or Not Enough Light
Keep the plant in bright, indirect sunlight. Fiddle leaf figs like plenty of sunlight, but it should be filtered. If you keep it near a window that gets direct sunlight during the day, use a sheer curtain to soften the sunlight. If your fiddle leaf fig gets too much direct sun, you’ll notice the leaves that get the most light will scorch and turn brown. If your plant isn’t getting enough light, the bottom leaves may start to turn brown. The plant also might get a “leggy” appearance, meaning the limbs are long and thin with sparse leaves.
Leaves Need to Be Dusted
Wipe down the leaves occasionally to keep them clean. Every few weeks, use a soft, damp cloth to gently dust the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig. Don’t use any oils or polishes on the leaves, as this could damage them. The large, broad leaves of the fiddle leaf fig are prone to developing a light coating of dust. This dust can block sunlight from reaching the leaves, which can cause the leaves to turn brown over time. Dusting the leaves regularly can also help prevent mites from infesting your plant.
Over Fertilizing or Under Fertilizing
Feed your plant with diluted fertilizer twice a month during warm months. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK of around 3-1-2 or 20-20-20—a product where the numbers are fairly even with each other. Use water to dilute the fertilizer to half-strength, then add it to your plant about every other week during the growing season—usually between early to mid-spring and mid- to late autumn. NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium—the main elements in plant fertilizer. Don’t fertilize your fiddle leaf fig during the late fall and winter. It will be dormant, which means it isn’t growing and doesn’t need to be fed. If your plant isn’t getting enough nutrients, it could start to wilt and turn brown.
Flush water through the soil if you notice salt building up on the soil. If you’re fertilizing too much, minerals can build up in the soil. Often, this will result in a white salt-like deposit on the soil. If you notice this happening, pour as much fresh water as possible through the pot and allow it to drain thoroughly. If you have a very large fiddle leaf fig, you may need to add the water a little at a time, removing it from the saucer with a cup or turkey baster once it pools.
Diseases
Remove damaged leaves and repot if there’s bacterial or fungal damage. Use clean, sharp shears to snip away any damaged leaves, and be sure to sanitize the shears afterward so you don’t spread the infection to other plants. Plant the fig in fresh potting mix, and monitor it to be sure it has enough light and water. Your fiddle leaf fig may have a fungal or bacterial disease if you notice lighter brown spots with an irregular shape. These spots can be anywhere on the leaf without much of a pattern, and they’ll spread over time. Disease on a plant usually indicates another issue, so be sure to look for an underlying cause. For instance, if a plant is infested with aphids or mealybugs, the leaves can develop a black fungus known as sooty mold. In this case, you would also need to treat for pests. If more than half of the leaves have damage from disease, the plant may not be able to recover from pruning and repotting.
Pests
Treat with neem spray if your fig has small brown spots that develop holes. Fiddle leaf figs are susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs. If you spot signs of any type of pest infestation, spray each leaf of the fiddle leaf fig with neem spray, coating both sides. Follow label instructions and repeat this every two weeks until all signs of the insects are gone. Here are some ways to spot these common pests: Aphids leave a sticky residue known as honeydew on leaves. Thrips can cause leaves to develop silver or brown streaks. Spider mites will leave small white spots on the leaf that will eventually turn brown. You may also notice a fine webbing on the leaves or stems of the plant. Mealybugs leave behind a waxy coating on leaves, and the leaves will turn yellow or brown and fall off. They may also leave sticky honeydew on the leaves
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