Fiddle fig trees are the new “IT” plants. You’ll see them gracing Pinterest pins or Instagram photos of beautiful living rooms or bedrooms. That’s probably one of the reasons why I adopted a handful, along with some Monsteras.
Nowadays, visitors to my previously drab apartment gasp at my beautiful indoor plants. My babies are thriving happy and healthy. The more perceptive tell me how my little space feels more calm and relaxing. It’s no surprise when you account for the fact that bringing nature into our homes is simply an excellent way of boosting your mood and even purifying indoor air.
I normally hate following the trend but in this particular instance, I’ll make a happy exception.
Now, while my fig trees now are the picture of health, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, of the three I initially purchased, only two survived. I really regret that I lost that little fellow. It had three branches, and I’d even given it a name — Fiddly! It just started dropping leaves until there were none left, and I didn’t know what to do.
It took a lot of hands-on experience, research on the Internet, YouTube videos, and chats on various fig tree Facebook groups for my knowledge to grow. (Sometimes, my son would catch me standing in the living room just staring at my plants.)
Now let me share what I’ve gleaned these past few years. Make no mistake, these plants may look hardy; they may even look plastic. However, they’re high-maintenance. A slight change in your tree’s environment or care regime can be fatal.
If your fiddle leaf fig tree is dying or in rough shape, this complete guide should help you save it..
Seeing white spots or patches on the leaves of your beloved fig tree can be alarming. But don’t panic. In most cases the reasons behind fig leaves turning white or pale are easily identified and treated.
This article explores the most common causes of white leaves on fig trees It also provides tips on preventing and resolving these issues to restore your tree’s vibrant green foliage
Understanding Why Fig Leaves Turn White
There are several potential explanations when fig tree leaves start losing their color and turn white or pale:
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Powdery Mildew – This fungal disease shows up as white/gray spots that spread into dry, fuzzy patches. Humid conditions and poor air circulation promote it.
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Scale Insects – Tiny sap-sucking bugs leave yellowish or white marks usually along veins. They weaken trees and reduce fruit yields.
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Sunscald – Exposure to excessive direct sun bleaches leaves white. It mostly affects young or newly planted trees.
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Nutrient Deficiencies – Lack of minerals like magnesium and iron hinder chlorophyll production, causing paleness.
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Hard Water Deposits – Mineral residues in hard water used for irrigation can leave white buildup on leaves.
Powdery Mildew: The Prime Suspect
Powdery mildew is one of the most common reasons for white spots and patches on fig leaves. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in humid, stagnant air environments.
On fig trees, powdery mildew first appears as small chalky gray-white spots on leaf surfaces. These spots gradually grow and spread, forming dry, fuzzy or powder-like white patches. The disease typically starts on the undersides of leaves or stems and buds before moving to the upper leaf surfaces.
Trees with dense foliage and poor air circulation are prone to powdery mildew outbreaks. Crowded conditions and excessive moisture promote the fungal growth. Powdery mildew tends to develop in spring and fall when fluctuating temperatures occur – cool humid nights followed by warm sunny days.
Both outdoor and indoor potted fig trees can get powdery mildew. But indoor trees are at higher risk due to the stable warm and humid conditions favored by the powdery mildew fungus.
Treating and Preventing Powdery Mildew
If your fig tree has powdery mildew, take prompt action to treat it and stop its spread:
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Prune off badly infected leaves and branches to reduce spore sources.
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Improve air circulation around the tree by thinning dense growth.
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Apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicides to fight the fungus.
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Water the tree early in the day so leaves can dry out. Avoid overhead watering.
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For indoor fig trees, increase ventilation and airflow in the room.
To prevent powdery mildew recurrence:
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Plant trees in sunny, well-ventilated spots.
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Space trees appropriately to prevent crowding.
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Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization and over-wetting the leaves.
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Promote airflow with pruning and fans if needed.
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Use drip irrigation and mulch to prevent moisture on leaves.
Investigating Other Causes
While powdery mildew is the prime suspect, other culprits can also leave white spots or patches on fig tree leaves.
Scale insects are tiny immobile pests that attach themselves to the bark and leaves to feed on sap. Their infestations leave yellowish blotches or spots, typically concentrated along the main leaf veins. Pruning off highly infested branches and spraying horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps can control scales.
Sunscald happens when young or newly transplanted fig trees are suddenly exposed to intense direct sunlight. The upper leaves facing the sun get bleached. Check for a pattern of white upper leaves with green lower leaves pointing toward the shaded trunk. Gradually acclimate trees to prevent sunscald.
Nutrient deficiencies, especially lack of magnesium and iron, reduce chlorophyll levels leading to pale leaves with darker veins. Foliar sprays or soil amendments can remedy shortages confirmed by testing.
Hard water deposits left by irrigation or misting with mineral-rich hard water also whiten leaves. Switch to distilled or rainwater to avoid further buildup. Gently wipe to remove existing deposits.
Restoring Healthy Green Foliage
Catching and quickly resolving any issues is key to keeping fig leaves vibrant. Examine trees regularly and respond rapidly at the first sign of problems. Knowing your fig variety’s specific needs will help you customize care.
Promote vigor through proper planting, watering, light levels, and nutrition. Healthy, thriving trees better withstand and recover from diseases, pests, and stresses.
Rule out serious pests or diseases that warrant removing badly infected trees to prevent spreading. Always sterilize tools after pruning sick plants. Removing and destroying affected leaves and branches also keeps problems from spreading.
With timely troubleshooting and care adjustments, your fig can bounce back from white leaves. Stay attentive to its needs, and take prompt action at the initial signs of distress. With your diligent care, the fig’s foliage will soon return to its beautiful bright green glory.
What is Eating My Fig Tree Leaves? Coping with Nibbled Foliage
If you spot small holes on your fiddle fig tree’s leaves, take a very close look at either side of each leaf. You may notice small bugs on either side. Sometimes, you can even see the webs they form.
Insect infections are challenging to eradicate, especially when the invaders have settled in and set up home.
Arm yourself with patience and the right equipment. You should be able to make your fiddle leaf fig tree bug-free again. Here are some efficient treatments:
- Apply neem oil directly to the leaves. (2)
- In a spray bottle, mix a teaspoon of oil with a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Fill the remainder of the bottle with water and spray onto the leaves.
This is a spray bottle I repurposed and placed my neem solution in. You can order good quality neem online locally.
Whichever method you use, make sure you treat both sides of each leaf. Don’t forget the stem. Apply every two weeks as needed.
Stop the infestation from spreading by keeping your fig tree away from other houseplants.
My Fig Tree is Dying: How to Save Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Let’s first address the common indications that your fiddle leaf tree is suffering. Before giving up on your plant, try working your way through some easy fixes. Here are the main clues something has gone wrong and how to remedy them.
- Excessive leaf loss
- Brown spots
- Yellow leaves
- Foliage with holes
- Curled leaves
- White leaves
If your plant exhibits any of the above symptoms, read on.
It’s normal for a fiddle leaf fig to lose a couple of leaves at the bottom but excessive leaf dropping is not normal.
If your fig tree is losing leaves, evaluate all the possible causes. First, bear in mind that this tree doesn’t like change.
After buying your tree and moving it to your home, it needs time to acclimate. It may lose leaves around bottom of the stalk during this period.
Fiddle figs don’t appreciate dry conditions, either in the air or the soil. It’s critical you water it as soon as you notice that the first 3 to 4 inches of soil are dry.
There are two major reasons I’ve observed of why these plants may lose leaves. They are:
- Coming home from the store and placing your fiddle leaf fig in a shady corner. Sure it looks great on there, but your tree disagrees. It likes a lot of indirect sunlight and wants its place in front of a big sunny window. In my fig tree Facebook page groups, it’s quite common for us to share photos of our babies and they’re ALWAYS sitting in front of sunny windows. It’s their special spot!
- Unknowingly placing your fig tree near or directly against a heating or AC vent. This will surely kill your plant so move it IMMEDIATELY.
If you’ve met all the above conditions and your tree still isn’t thriving, there could be another cause. Let’s look closer at the leaves themselves for clues.
Why are the leaves on my plant turning white?
FAQ
What to do when leaves are turning white?
When your plant doesn’t have enough light to create energy, chlorophyll stays pale and so do the leaves. N.B. Even if your plant doesn’t have green leaves there is chlorophyll in its leaves. Solution: Just move your plant somewhere a bit brighter, e.g. closer to a window.
Why are the leaves on my fig tree turning pale?
If your plant isn’t getting the energy or nutrients it needs, you may notice discoloration of the leaves. They may start to lighten between the veins and turn a lighter green before turning bright yellow. Yellow leaves can also be caused by a insect infestation, or root rot, both of which can lead to leaf drop.
Can a fig tree recover from sunburn?
Experiencing sunburn damage on your fig tree’s leaves can be disheartening, but the good news is that your tree still has the potential to recover and it likely will. Fig trees are resilient plants, and their ability to bounce back from sunburn damage offers a glimmer of hope to concerned gardeners.