The key to keeping Fiddle Leaf Figs healthy and looking good is to find the right watering balance. Interestingly, two of the most common problems Fiddle owners have are either too much or too little watering. What’s more, telling which is which is a task in and of itself!.
Since Fiddle Leaf Figs often lose their leaves and turn brown, it might be easy to make assumptions about your plant. But remember that the amount of water your plant needs depends on where it lives and the amount of light, temperature, and humidity it has. Underwatering might happen more often in homes that are very bright and warm, since the plant dries out faster than you water it. Being aware of your plant’s light situation is the first step in ensuring a proper watering cadence.
But even if you think you’re giving your Fiddle the right amount of water, it may not always be clear what’s going on. In short, giving your plant too much water can cause root rot, a fungus that grows in the roots and can hurt or kill the plant. Underwatering, however, can also lead to leaf damage and potential demise. At first glance, the brown spots, falling leaves, and curled edges can be signs of either. But there are a few small differences between a Fiddle Leaf Fig that is overwatered and one that is underwatered.
If you’re a proud fiddle leaf fig parent, you know these plants are prone to drama. With their large, gorgeous leaves and statuesque presence, it’s easy to obsess over their care. And nothing strikes fear into the heart of a fiddle leaf fig owner faster than signs of an overwatered plant.
But before you panic and let your beloved fiddle leaf fig wither, take a deep breath. Overwatering is common but treatable if caught early This guide will walk you through how to identify, treat, and prevent an overwatered fiddle leaf fig
How to Tell if Your Fiddle Leaf Fig is Overwatered
The tricky thing about overwatering is that the symptoms can sometimes look similar to underwatering. So how do you know for sure if you have a damp, sad fig on your hands? Look out for these key signs:
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Yellowing or browning leaves, especially near the bottom. Overwatering can lead to root rot, causing the lower leaves to yellow or brown first.
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Leaf drop or excessive leaf shedding. If your fiddle leaf fig is losing leaves rapidly overwatering could be the culprit.
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Brown spots in the center of leaves. Underwatered plants typically get brown spots around the edges and tips of leaves. But overwatered figs develop brown spots in the middle of leaves.
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Mushy or dropped plant stalks. The main trunk and branches can become mushy and droop if overly saturated.
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Dark brown/black roots. Check the roots – healthy ones should be firm and white-ish. Black, mushy roots mean root rot from overwatering.
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Slow growth. Too much moisture prevents proper air circulation to the roots, slowing growth.
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Mold or fungus on the soil surface or lower trunk. Excess moisture encourages mold and fungal growth.
If you notice several of these signs, it’s likely your plant is overwatered and action must be taken!
How to Treat an Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
Treating root rot starts with allowing the plant to dry out thoroughly. Follow these steps:
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Stop watering! Let the soil dry completely, checking with your finger to make sure the first few inches are bone dry before watering again.
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Remove any saturated soil and repot in fresh, dry soil if needed. Trim any mushy roots before repotting.
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Apply a root rot treatment like hydrogen peroxide or our natural Root Supplement to help treat and prevent fungal infections.
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Increase light exposure and air circulation around the plant to encourage drying. A fan can help.
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Remove any leaves or branches that are dead or heavily damaged to allow new growth.
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Be patient! It can take weeks to months for an overwatered fiddle leaf fig to fully recover. Keep to an infrequent watering schedule.
With time and proper treatment, even severely overwatered fiddle leaf figs can bounce back. But prevention is the best medicine…
How to Prevent Overwatering Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Once you get your plant back on track, implementing these simple tips will help prevent overwatering in the future:
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Let the soil dry out between waterings. Test with your finger – water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
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Use a moisture meter to take the guesswork out of knowing when to water. This moisture meter takes the guesswork out and prevents over or under-watering.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then let dry. This encourages deep root growth.
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Make sure your pot has drainage holes and use well-draining soil. Soil should be loose and airy. Upgrade to this soil made specially for fiddle leaf figs.
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Only water when the top several inches of soil are dry. Stick to a consistent 1-2 week watering schedule.
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Give your plant bright, indirect light. Low light causes overwatering problems.
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Use filtered water if possible for hydration.
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Add Root Supplement to your watering can every 2 weeks to prevent fungal issues.
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Make sure the pot isn’t too large for the plant. Oversized pots hold too much moisture.
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Improve air flow and circulation around your plant.
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Maintain warm temps between 60°F to 80°F. Cooler air prevents evaporation.
Master these simple care tips and you can avoid the dreaded overwatered fiddle leaf fig. Your plant will thank you with big, beautiful green leaves for years to come. For more fiddle leaf fig care info, check out The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert book or our blog!
Symptoms of an overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
Some Fiddle Leaf Figs have brown spots near the center and around the edges of their leaves. This means they got too much water or root rot. Multiple yellow almost always means too much water.
If you give Fiddles too much water, the leaves will turn brown all over, with small dark spots or shady spots that can spread quickly from leaf to leaf over the course of a week.
As mentioned above, you may also notice that your plant drops its bottom leaves first. That could be a sign of root rot, since plants first shed their old leaves to protect their new growth.
If you’re still not sure, use a moisture meter to check how much water is in the roots of your plant.
Symptoms of a dry Fiddle Leaf Fig
It takes some gut feeling to tell if your Fiddle is too wet or too dry, but there are some signs that it is chronically dry compared to overwatered. One of these is curled leaves.
Another way to tell your plant is underwatered is noticing where the brown spots lie. Brown spots on a dry Fiddle leaf are more likely to be on the leaf’s edge than in the middle, near the “veins.” Also, the brown spots will usually show up all over the plant, from the very top to the very bottom. This is different from root rot, which usually starts on the bottom leaves first.
Lastly, and this is likely the most important thing, your dry fiddle leaf fig’s leaves may look healthy in other ways. On the other hand, a plant with root rot will have leaves that are yellow, droopy, or “spotted.” Also, both types of Fiddles will lose leaves, but overwatered Fiddles lose their bottom leaves first, while dry Fiddles lose leaves from all over the plant.
5 RED FLAGS That You’re KILLING Your Fiddle Leaf Fig with Water!
FAQ
How do you fix an overwatered fiddle leaf fig?
How to tell if overwatering fiddle leaf fig?
Do fiddle leaf figs like to dry out between watering?
Why is my fiddle leaf fig drooping after watering?
Should I water my Fiddle leaf fig plant?
It is best to let your fiddle leaf dry out between watering because overwatering your fig plant can be as destructive to your plant as forgetting to water it at all. Your plant needs enough water, but too much and the leaves will brown and drop off, and potentially, the roots of your plant can rot.
What happens if you overwater a fiddle leaf fig?
When you overwater a Fiddle Leaf Fig, brown patches will spread over the leaves. Leaves may also turn yellow or drop off, and your plant may stop growing. Overwatering can cause root rot, nutrient deficiency, and mineral build up, as well as other problems, which cause this damage to your plant. How do you fix an overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig?
What does a dry fiddle leaf fig look like?
Finally, the leaves of your dry fiddle leaf fig may look otherwise healthy, whereas the leaves of a plant with root rot will begin to look sickly, yellow, or have tiny brown spots. Both cases will drop leaves, but dry plants will drop leaves throughout the plant, not just the bottom leaves.
Why is my fiddle leaf fig dying?
Under-watering leads to a dry plant with leaf damage. First, one clarification. Over-watering and lack of sunlight work together to produce root rot, so if your fiddle leaf fig doesn’t get enough sun (and they like lots of light), the symptoms may mimic those of too much water.