planted 58 5 gallon Indian Laurel plants a month ago. I live inland San Diego east of the 15 hwy. today I noticed damage to the top 25% of most of the plants. Damage includes partial to complete browning of the top 25% of the shrub, which looked noticeably younger than the bottom 25%. the first photos show the damage Im describing. What’s interesting is that I have four trees under a big oak tree that have no damage at all. The 3rd photo shows the undamaged tree.
Do I have to worry about losing the whole tree if this is sun damage, or will it grow back? What can I do to lessen the damage, if anything?
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If you’ve noticed the leaves on your ficus nitida turning brown, don’t panic. Brown leaves are common on ficus trees and not necessarily a sign of a major problem. However brown leaves are not normal and usually indicate the tree is stressed in some way that needs to be addressed. In this article we’ll go over the most common reasons ficus nitida leaves turn brown and what you can do about it.
Overwatering
One of the most common causes of brown leaves on ficus nitida is overwatering. Ficus nitida prefers drier soil and too much moisture can lead to root rot. Check that your soil is well-draining and allow the top inch or two to dry out between waterings. Water less frequently in the winter when growth has slowed. Stick your finger in the soil to gauge moisture before watering. If leaves are turning brown and the soil is soggy, allow it to dry out before watering again.
Underwatering
While ficus nitida doesn’t like soggy soil, letting it completely dry out for too long can also cause leaves to brown Leaves may start to droop or crisp up if the soil remains bone dry for an extended period Keep the soil moist but not wet and water when the top inch becomes dry. Give it a good soak if you accidentally let it get too dry.
Light Conditions
Ficus nitida thrives in bright, indirect light. Too little light can lead to weak growth and leaf drop. Move your ficus to a spot with bright light for at least a few hours a day. Slowly acclimate it to increased light levels to prevent leaf scorch. If your ficus is getting direct hot sun during the warmer months diffuse the light with a sheer curtain.
Brown leaves can also indicate too much light. Leaves may brown and crisp if exposed to excessive direct sunlight. Move it to a shadier spot or use a sheer curtain to filter intense afternoon sun.
Cold Damage
Ficus nitida is sensitive to cold temperatures below 50°F and exposure can cause leaf drop. If your ficus was exposed to cold drafts or temps dipping near freezing, brown leaves may result. Keep it away from drafty windows, vents, and doors during the winter. Move outdoor trees to a protected area once night temps start dropping into the 40s.
Dry Air
The thick, waxy leaves of the ficus nitida lose moisture easily in low humidity. Dry indoor air during winter can lead to leaf browning and drop. Place your ficus on a pebble tray with water or use a humidifier to boost moisture levels. Misting the leaves occasionally can also help.
Fertilizer Problems
Too much fertilizer can damage the roots and lead to browning leaves. Water with diluted fertilizer no more than every 2-4 weeks in the growing season and monthly in winter. Flush the soil periodically to prevent buildup.
Certain fertilizers high in salts like petroleum-based and slow-release types can also burn the tips of leaves if used incorrectly. Stick to a balanced organic fertilizer applied according to label instructions.
Pest Damage
Leaf sucking pests like scale, mealybugs, and aphids can all cause leaf drop if infestations are heavy. Check the undersides of leaves and stems for clusters of small bumps, white fuzzy spots, or tiny insects. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to kill small outbreaks. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
draft
Excess drafts from heating and cooling vents, open doors, and drafty windows can quickly dry out ficus leaves. Keep your ficus nitida sheltered from direct air currents. Close vents pointed directly at your plant and move it away from frequently opened doors.
Repotting Stress
Repotting a ficus nitida can sometimes cause leaf drop afterward as the plant adjusts. As long as the brown leaves are limited, this is usually not a cause for alarm. Avoid repotting during active growth periods and water sparingly after repotting until the roots recover.
Old Leaves Dropping
As part of their natural growth habit, ficus nitida will often shed older leaves, particularly after a growth surge. The plant is just focusing its energy on new growth. As long as the leaf drop is localized to a few old leaves and the rest of the plant looks healthy, this is normal. Just remove the fallen leaves.
Signs Your Ficus is Stressed
- Leaves turning brown or yellow
- Curled or shrivelled leaves
- Many leaves dropping at once
- Leaf tips or margins turning brown
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Few new leaves growing
What to Do if Your Ficus Nitida Leaves Are Turning Brown
- Rule out over and underwatering first
- Move to a spot with appropriate light levels
- Maintain indoor humidity of 40-50%
- Keep away from drafts and temperature fluctuations
- Apply fertilizer correctly and flush soil periodically
- Check for pests on the undersides of leaves
- Avoid repotting during active growth
- Remove only obviously dead or damaged leaves
The occasional brown leaf here and there is not necessarily cause for alarm. However, significant leaf drop demands attention. By diagnosing and addressing the underlying cause, you can get your ficus nitida back to vigorous growth. With proper care, its glossy green leaves will once again be an attractive focal point in your indoor garden.
Save A DYING Plant within 4 DAYS – Ficus Plant Care
FAQ
Can ficus nitida get sunburned?
What does a diseased ficus tree look like?
Why are the leaves on my Ficus tineke turning brown?
Why are my Ficus bonsai leaves turning brown and falling off?
Do ficus trees turn brown?
Creating a proper tree shape for a ficus tree is also necessary. It will help prevent the browning of the leaves on a ficus tree if it is properly pruned and shaped. Leaf shine products are used to help keep the leaves from turning brown or brown, depending on the variety of ficus trees.
What should I do if my ficus tree turns brown?
If the ficus tree is being affected by pests, it should be treated with an appropriate insecticidal soap or spray to remove these pests before fertilizing begins. Temperature and humidity will help prevent ficus leaves from turning brown because they will help prevent damage caused by too much moisture.
How do you care for a Ficus nitida tree?
Here are some tips and tricks to care for your new trees. How to Water Your Ficus nitida. The Ficus nitida (Indian Laurel) trees are extremely hardy trees. These trees prefer to be deep soaked all around the root ball. You want to soak the tree to a depth of at least 2-3’ each time you water. This will encourage deep strong root growth.
Why do ficus trees lose their leaves?
There are many reasons a ficus tree loses its leaves; improper watering, insufficient sunlight, extreme temperatures, pests & disease, and more. Fertilizing it less than once a year can cause damage to the plant. If the leaves keep falling off, then the reason could be incorrect fertilization.