If you have noticed that your Fiddle Leaf Fig has yellow leaves and has stopped growing, the chances are that you are dealing with root rot. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to the death of the plant. Since it starts in the roots, it is essential to understand its causes and symptoms, as well as first aid techniques.
So what is Fiddle Leaf Fig root rot, and how do you treat it? Root rot is a disease that could affect any plant, though Fiddle Fig trees are particularly prone to it. Caused by overwatering and poor drainage, root rot leads to the decay and death of the root system. If the plant can still be saved, repot it into fresh soil after eliminating the affected roots.
It is essential to identify this condition early to increase the chances of survival of your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree. Below, you can find out what are the tell-tale signs of it and how to fight it, read on!
What is Root Rot?
Root Rot is a disease that could affect any plant, houseplant, or tree. It can be life-threatening for the plant and lead to rotting of the rooting system, fungal infections, and drowning. It is essential to understand what the causes of this disease are, identify the problem in advance and treat it promptly to ensure the plant survives.
Indeed, since it originates from the plant’s roots, many cultivators fail to see the conditions’ worsening. When the plant’s body starts to show the first symptoms – yellow leaves and stunt growth, for example – usually, it is already too late to save it.
Ultimately, root rot can happen when the roots of your plant are surrounded by stagnating water or moisture. Since they are not able to absorb essential nutrients from the soil any longer, as well as oxygen, the plant will stop growing. Consequently, the weakened roots are more exposed to fungal and bacterial attacks, and the plant will likely suffer from a fungal infection. When the whole root system is affected, you will struggle to save it.
While Fiddle Leaf Fig trees are easy to care for, they are highly prone to this disease.
Causes
Root rot derives from a poorly functioning root system, a single overwatering episode, or a prolonged, improper watering regimen. Alongside it, poor drainage and high humidity conditions can trap the stagnating moisture within the potting mix, aiding the spread of fungal infections.
If you have overwatered your plant by mistake, or you have noticed that the soil has been moist for a few days, there are chances that a root rot could originate. Find out below what are the symptoms to look out for and how to treat the condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Fiddle Leaf Fig Root Rot?
Several symptoms can give you an indication that your Fiddle leaf Fig is suffering from root rot. However, as these appear in the body of the plant (leaves and stems), it might already be too late to save it with transplantation. Instead, you should act as soon as you notice the soil remaining moist over time.
Rotting roots
Rotting and decaying roots are the first sign that your plant is suffering from root rot. However, this symptom is also the hardest one to detect, especially in large house plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 14, 2020.
This symptom derives from the stagnating moisture that fills the gaps and spaces in the soil surrounding the roots. As this happens, the roots become weaker, and they are not able to absorb oxygen and water from the ground.
Rotting roots will appear mushy and dark in color, usually brown or black. In some cases, you might also notice that white mold forming over the surface. Oppositely, in a healthy plant, roots should be white and firm.
Moist and moldy soil
As the soil remains moist over time, the fungal spores start to spread quickly and attack the already-weakened roots. Common symptoms of root rot is a white mold forming on the surface of the potting mix, which will start to affect also the bottom of the plant’s stem.
However, before this happens, you can identify the first stages of the root rot in moist soil or potting mix that stays wet over time. Starting to treat the plant for this disease before mold appears increases its chances of survival.
Discolored leaves
If the leaves of your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree are starting to turn yellow, this is a sign that the root rot has been advancing. The discoloration will start spreading from the margins of the leaves, which will curl and turn darker over time.
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Indeed, this means that the plant’s roots have not been able to absorb the necessary nutrients for chile, and the leaves can no longer perform photosynthesis.
This deficiency starts to show by causing the leaves to turn yellow at first, and then brown or black. At an advanced stage, the lack of nutrients and oxygen will cause the leaves to fall. You can notice this symptom alongside the stunted growth of the plant.
How To Fight and Treat Root Rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs
Before attempting to treat your Fiddle Leaf Fig, you should assess whether the plant can still be saved. Determining the level of severity of the disease is essential to understand the type of treatment your plant needs. Below you can find the guidelines to limit the damage of root rot.
- Gently remove the plant from the current container.
- Remove as much affected soil as possible from the roots.
- Dispose of the old soil.
- With a pair of sharp shears, cut off the part of the root system affected by rot. Prune the root ball to eliminate the infected areas – this will help you keep at bay the fungal infection.
- Consider washing some of the roots to get rid of dead capillaries and moldy soil.
- Repot the plant in a new container using fresh, dry soil.
- Ensure the new container has an adequate drainage system.
- Remove any leaf that presents brown or black spots.
- Ensure the soil is completely dry between waterings – this will cause the remaining pathogens to recede.
If you are treating a plant that only shows the first signs of root rot, you might not necessarily need to repot it into fresh soil. However, in this case, you should make sure that the current pot has a proper drainage system. Moreover, allow the potting mix to dry entirely before watering the plant again.
How To Prevent Root Rot From Happening Again
Root Rot is a common cause of Fiddle Leaf Figs death, as caring owners tend to overcompensate when it comes down to watering. However, it is easy to prevent Root Rot from happening by following the tips below.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 14, 2020.
- Before watering, make sure the soil is dry. To do so, insert a finger in the potting mix: if it is moist 2-3inch (5-7cm) below the surface, you should avoid adding more water.
- Ensure the pot boasts a proper drainage system, which includes holes at the bottom of the container.
- Change the watering routine along with the seasons and weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Fiddle Leaf Fig Root Rot is a life-threatening condition for your plant that can lead to its death if you don’t treat it promptly. Especially for first-time plant owners, it can be difficult to identify root rot, as the condition often starts from within the root ball. However, as soon as you notice discoloration of the leaves, you should proceed to dry out the soil, cut off the infected roots, and replant the Fiddle Leaf Fig into fresh ground.