Your ficus may be losing leaves because of improper watering, pests, fungus, or just because its unhappy with where its been put. Here are the top 8 reasons.
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Ficus are notoriously finicky plants. They are sensitive to temperature changes, being moved, lighting, and other conditions. A ficus tree losing leaves is a common complaint. Why is my ficus dropping leaves? Almost any change in the plant’s environment will make it let its displeasure known by defoliating. Ficus leaves falling off for no discernible reason is one of the top searched questions for fig plant owners.
Seeing the leaves of your ficus nitida turning brown can be worrying. But don’t panic – brown leaves are common on ficus trees and not necessarily a sign of serious trouble. However, brown leaves are not normal and usually signal that the tree is under some sort of stress that needs attention. In this article we’ll go over the top causes of ficus nitida leaves turning brown and what you can do to fix it.
Overwatering
One of the most frequent reasons for brown leaves on ficus nitida is overwatering. Ficus nitida prefers drier soil and excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Check that your soil drains well and allow the top inch or two to dry out between waterings. Water less often in winter when growth slows down. Stick your finger in the soil to gauge moisture before watering. If leaves are browning and the soil is soggy let it dry out before watering again.
Underwatering
While ficus nitida doesn’t like wet soil, allowing it to completely dry out for too long can also make leaves turn brown. Leaves may start to droop or crisp up if the soil stays bone dry for a long time. Keep the soil moist but not soaked and water when the top inch becomes dry. Give it a good soak if you accidentally let it get too parched.
Light Conditions
Ficus nitida thrives in bright indirect light. Too little light can result in weak growth and leaf drop. Move your ficus to a spot with bright light for at least a few hours daily. Slowly acclimate it to increased light levels to prevent leaf scorch. If your ficus gets direct hot sun during 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 area or use a sheer curtain to filter intense afternoon sun.
Cold Damage
Ficus nitida is sensitive to chilly temperatures below 50°F and exposure can make leaves drop. If your ficus was exposed to cold drafts or temps dipping near freezing, brown leaves may occur. Keep it away from drafty windows, vents, and doors in winter. Move outdoor trees to a protected spot 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 increase moisture levels. Misting the leaves occasionally can also help.
Fertilizer Problems
Too much fertilizer can harm roots and cause 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 leaf tips if used incorrectly. Stick to a balanced organic fertilizer applied according to label directions.
Pest Damage
Leaf sucking pests like scale, mealybugs, and aphids can all lead to 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.
Excess Drafts
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 at your plant and move it away from frequently opened doors.
Repotting Stress
Repotting a ficus nitida can sometimes make leaves drop afterward as the plant adjusts. As long as the brown leaves are limited, this is usually not alarming. Avoid repotting during active growth periods and water sparingly after repotting until the roots recover.
Old Leaves Dropping
As part of their natural growth pattern, ficus nitida will often shed older leaves, particularly after a growth spurt. 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 suitable light levels
- Maintain indoor humidity of 40-50%
- Keep away from drafts and temperature swings
- Apply fertilizer properly 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 always a cause for concern. 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.
If you’ve noticed some leaves of your Ficus are dry, browning, and crispy-don’t be alarmed! This is almost always totally normal, and easily fixed.
First, let’s clean up your plant. This allows the plant to direct its energy to new healthy growth.
- Remove the entire brown leaves (they will not turn green again) or the effected portion with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Wipe the blades of your scissors with rubbing alcohol between each snip.
- You may need to trim your plant in stages because you never want to remove more than 20% of the affected leaves at one time–this could shock your plant.Now, let’s get your Ficus feeling like herself again.
Incredibly dry soil
Be sure you’re not underwatering your Ficus. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 1-2” of soil are dry.
If you accidentally let the soil dry out completely, you may see leaves droop, crisp up, brown, and fall. If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order.
Here’s how to soak-water your plant:
- Place your plant in your sink or tub without the saucer. Fill your basin up with about 3-4″ of water. Make sure the water isn’t hot!
- Allow your plant to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min.
- Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil?
- If not all the soil feels saturated, water your Ficus Danielle slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation.
- When your plant’s soil is evenly damp, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while it drains thoroughly. Place the plant back on its saucer and back in its proper spot.
Keep in mind that when the soil goes from bone-dry to saturated, it can cause stress for your Ficus and may cause leaves to drop. Give it some time to adjust.
Not enough humidity
Your Ficus may be crisping up from a lack of moisture in the air. Here are some ways you can increase humidity for your plant:
Mist! One of the easiest ways to bring a boost of humidity to the plant’s surrounding environment is by misting its leaves with filtered or distilled water. Depending on how dry your environment is, you may need to mist several times a day.
Make a pebble tray Pebble trays are another easy DIY solution to increase humidity around a plant. You don’t want a plant’s roots sitting in water, so to prevent that from happening, add clean pebbles in a shallow water-filled tray. The water level should not be above the pebbles. Place the plant on top of the tray. The water will gradually evaporate around the plant, boosting humidity.
Get a humidifier Humidifiers can be a benefit to both people and plants during the winter months. While heaters and fireplaces can dry out a living space, a humidifier adds much-needed moisture to the air. Always follow the instructions regarding where to place it in your home.
Give your plant a shower
Give your high humidity-loving plants a lukewarm shower for 30 seconds. Not only does this increase humidity, but it also rinses off any dust or debris, and discourages pests from taking up residency.
Why Is My Ficus Dropping Leaves?
A ficus dropping leaves can indicate several unfavorable situations. A ficus losing leaves might be due to the most minute environmental or cultural factor. As a houseplant, these are glorious plants, but they are also one of the more picky plants when it comes to care and situation. It might not be any aspect of ficus care you are doing wrong. It could just be the time of year or other uncontrollable factors. Keep reading for some possible causes and solutions to a ficus losing leaves.
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FAQ
How often should I water ficus nitida?
- Watering Frequency:
- General Rule: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry to the touch.
- Newly planted: Water more frequently, especially during the first year, to help the plant establish its roots.
- Established plants: Once established, Ficus nitida is relatively drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering.
- Winter: Reduce watering during the winter months as the plant’s growth slows down.
- General Rule: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry to the touch.
- Watering Technique:
- Water Thoroughly: When you do water, water deeply to ensure the entire root ball is saturated.
- Allow Excess Water to Drain: Make sure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
- Water Thoroughly: When you do water, water deeply to ensure the entire root ball is saturated.
- Signs of Overwatering:
- Yellowing leaves
- Drooping leaves
- Root rot
- Yellowing leaves
- Signs of Underwatering:
- Shriveled leaves
- Leaves turning brown and crispy
- Shriveled leaves
- Other Considerations:
- Sunlight: Ficus nitida thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
- Soil: Ensure the soil is well-draining, such as sandy or loamy soil.
- Temperature: Ficus nitida is very heat-tolerant but should be protected from frost, especially when young.
- Pests: Watch out for pests like thrips and whiteflies, and address them promptly.
- Sunlight: Ficus nitida thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Why are the leaves on my banyan tree turning brown?
Watering your banyan tree correctly is crucial for its health. Aim to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot, which can lead to brown spots on leaves. A well-draining pot or soil mix is essential for maintaining healthy roots.
Should I cut dying leaves off Ficus?
Remove the entire brown leaves (they will not turn green again) or the effected portion with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.
Does ficus nitida like sun or shade?
This tree can grow in both sunny and shady locations and is highly adaptable to different soil types. The Ficus Nitida is also salt-tolerant, making it ideal for coastal locations. This tree is also low maintenance and requires very little care, which is ideal for busy California homeowners.
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.
Why is my ficus tree turning black?
If the tree is being affected by insects and ficus is not being pruned correctly, this will cause its leaves to turn brown as they infest the tree and weaken it because of the stress. The focus will also experience damage from mildew, which can cause them to turn black.
What does a ficus tree look like?
They are small and white in color, which drains moisture from the tree’s healthy foliage. When these ficus pests attack your plant, you can find leaves that turn wilted and yellow. Also, a thick cloud of flies will fly out when you shake the tree.
What happens if Ficus leaves are left untreated?
When grown indoors in dry conditions with natural light, it is possible for the leaves on ficus to turn white or brown as they age. If left untreated, the leaves will eventually die because of this drop in moisture levels. Ficus trees can be identified by the fig-like buds and fruits on the tree.
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.