Fiddle Leaf Fig trees are beautiful plants that can light up any room or home. However, as their leaves become drooping and wilted, you might not be able to enjoy the charm of this plant any longer. Luckily, it is possible to restore its beauty quickly in a few simple steps.
Why are Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves drooping down? There are four possible reasons for your Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves drooping down:
- The youngest leaves’ weak tissue
- Changes in the surrounding environment
- Improper watering
- A stressed root system
Unhealthy drooping should not be confused with the natural tendency of the lowest leaves to lean downwards.
Restoring the beauty of your Fiddle Leaf Fig is not a difficult task, and even not-so-expert growers can attempt it, try out the methods below!
Young Leaves Drooping Down
If you have noticed new leaves on your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant, undoubtedly, this is a sign that your plant is healthy and thriving. However, it is not uncommon to notice the youngest leaves starting to droop down after a few days.
Often, as these grow even larger, they start to point downward and look weak. However, this is not an annual behavior, as usually, younger leaves have a more fragile composition and tissue than older ones.
Solution
If only the youngest leaves of your Ficus Lyrata are drooping down, you should not worry too much. Within two to three days, you can expect them to gain enough vigor to sustain themselves. However, there are two factors to keep into considerations:
- The lower leaves of the plant will naturally tend downwards; this is normal and a sign that your plant is healthy.
- If the youngest leaves at the top seem pale and not gaining strength, this could be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Other symptoms of this condition can include stunted growth, foliage breakage, and discoloration of the leaves. If this eventuality, you will need to supplement your plant with a fertilizer that can increase the levels of essential compounds such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Changes in the Environment
Environmental changes can cause your plant to suffer the effects of stress. If you are transitioning your plant into a new room or area of the house, you can expect to see some variations in the foliage and health of a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree.
Indeed, the Ficus Lyrata is extremely susceptible to a variety of elements, which include:
- Humidity
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Watering
- Feeding habits
Solution
A change in any of the factors can influence the health of your plant. However, luckily, you can restore its look by returning to the original routine for your Fiddle Leaf Fig. However, in some cases, you might need to move your plant somewhere else. If this happens, consider picking a spot that is similar to the one the plant is in now.
Ultimately, you should always allow for a transition period and enough time for your plant to adapt to the new environment. Do not underestimate the effects that a change in humidity or light exposure can have on your plant.
Improper Watering
Improper watering is another major cause of drooping leaves. Unlike you might think, your plant might be suffering from overwatering, as well as underwatering. Stress derived from insufficient or excessive watering, also known as drought stress, can stop the plant from absorbing the necessary nutrients from the soil.
- Underwatering – since you are not supplying enough nutrients to the soil, the plant is lacking the necessary moisture to sustain the growth of leaves. Therefore, the Fiddle Leaf Fig will appear wilted and drooping. Other symptoms of this condition include the soil pulling away from the sides of the container and dry potting mix.
- Overwatering – overwatering can be just as dangerous for your plant’s health as underwatering. Too much moisture stagnating within the soil is the primary cause of root rot. This condition affects the roots of your plant, weakening them. In turn, they are no longer able to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil, an issue that will result in drooping leaves, among other symptoms.
In any case, if you notice your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s leaves to start wilting and drooping, you should assess the state of the soil and the plant’s need for water.
Solution
Solutions vary depending on the cause behind the drooping leaves. However, it is essential to understand that watering stress can derive from a single episode as well as a prolonged habit. In any case, you should attend the issue promptly, to avoid the development of infections and fungi.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 15, 2020.
- Solutions to underwatering – rescuing under-watered plants can be tricky. In the case of a severe lack of moisture and nutrients, you might also have to consider using adequate fertilizers or plunging the pot in water. Once rehydrated, place your plant in a shaded area of your house, away from windows and other windy locations.
- Solutions to overwatering. – Saving overwatered plants needs you to act promptly as soon as the problem arises. Indeed, to avoid having to deal with root rot in the future, you should ensure proper drainage and create more air space around the roots. Also, you should remove any fallen leaf. Lastly, avoid watering the Fiddle Leaf Fig until the soil is dry over 2in (5cm) below the surface.
- Adaptability – when crafting an efficient watering regimen, you should keep into consideration that many factors require you to change it over time. These factors include light exposure, humidity, and temperature. For example, as the summer approaches, you should increase the amount of water to compensate for the rising temps and sunlight.
Excessive Stress on the Root System
Excessive stress on the root system can cause your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree to appear wilted and drooping for specific periods. You might notice the symptoms of this stress, also known as root shock, after repotting your plant or transplanting outdoors.
Root shock can cause several symptoms to appear, including yellowing leaves, wilting, and stunt growth. Moreover, the leaves can suffer from scorching, which will cause them to change color and become brown within shorter timeframes.
Solution
Some easy tips allow you to resolve or attenuate the symptoms of root shock. However, a crucial thing to remember during this time is to avoid adding additional stress on your Fiddle Leaf Fig trees. Therefore, for pruning and propagation, wait until the plant is back to its good shape.
Other factors to consider are:
- Ensure that the new pot has an efficient drainage system to avoid stagnating moisture.
- Place the plant in the same spot in the house that it used to inhabit.
- Avoid unnecessary movements of your plant. If you cannot avoid doing so, opt to allow for an acclimatization period. To do so, move the plant in the new spot for an increasing amount of hours each day.
- Recreate the same lighting, moisture, and temperature conditions as it thrived in before the repotting process.
- Cut off any dead leaf and stems to encourage healthy growth.
Final Thoughts
Finding the leaves of your Fiddle Leaf Fig drooping and wilted can cause a lot of apprehension in the owner. Luckily, this condition is easily solvable if treated promptly. Usually, drooping leaves are a consequence of improper watering, root shock, or sudden environmental changes. Implementing a proper watering regimen is an excellent starting point to restore the health of your plant.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 15, 2020.
However, it is also essential to ensure that factors such as humidity levels, sunlight exposure, temperatures, and fertilizer doses are suitable for the needs of a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree.