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.
Ficus trees are very popular houseplants known for their lush, tropical foliage. However it can be frustrating when your ficus suddenly starts dropping leaves for seemingly no reason.
Excessive leaf drop can be alarming, but there are several common causes behind it that can often be easily fixed with a few simple adjustments to your ficus tree’s care routine.
In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons why your ficus may be losing leaves, along with solutions to get your plant healthy and thriving again.
Overwatering Is The Most Common Trigger
The number one cause of sudden heavy leaf drop in ficus trees is overwatering Ficus have very delicate roots that are extremely sensitive to too much moisture
Constant soggy soil leads to root rot, where the roots become damaged by fungal infections. Rotting roots are unable to absorb water and nutrients properly, which starves the plant and eventually causes the foliage to yellow and drop off.
The lower and older leaves tend to show symptoms first when a ficus is overwatered. It’s important to check soil moisture before watering and only add more when the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch.
Ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom and that the plant is potted in a well-aerated soil mix. Adjust watering frequency appropriately.
Underwatering Can Also Lead To Leaf Drop
While overwatering is more common, allowing your ficus tree to dry out too much between waterings can also cause leaf loss.
Underwatering stresses the plant, prompting it to drop lower leaves in an effort to conserve resources and energy.
Ficus trees appreciate even, moderate moisture. Water whenever the top inch or so of soil becomes dry, usually every 1-2 weeks. Water less often in winter when growth slows.
Low Light Levels Will Cause Leaf Loss
Ficus trees prefer bright, filtered light similar to a tropical forest understory. Too little light will cause them to drop leaves and take on a sparse, spindly appearance. New growth may be pale or yellowish.
If your ficus is losing leaves and looks like it’s not getting sufficient light, move it to a brighter spot in the house near an east or west facing window. Avoid direct hot sunlight, which can scorch leaves.
Exposure To Cold Drafts
As tropical plants, ficus trees are very sensitive to chilly conditions. Exposure to cold drafts from windows, AC vents, or simply low winter temperatures can shock ficus trees and cause sudden leaf drop.
Keep your ficus in the warmest spot in your home and sheltered from any drafty doors, windows, or HVAC vents. Consider using a portable space heater to maintain indoor temperatures above 60°F in winter.
Overfertilizing Damages Roots
While regular feeding is beneficial for ficus trees, using too much fertilizer or fertilizing too often can damage roots and cause leaf loss.
Fertilizer salts accumulate in the soil and eventually burn the tender feeder roots. If leaf drop occurs after fertilizing, immediately discontinue fertilizer applications.
When fertilizing, only use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 months during active growth periods.
Pests Can Lead To Premature Leaf Drop
Spider mites, scale, and mealybugs are common pests on ficus trees. They damage foliage, causing leaves to yellow and drop prematurely.
Check for small insects on the undersides of leaves and along stems if leaf drop is accompanied by any stickiness or honeydew dripping from the plant. Treat any pests found immediately.
Diseases Like Leaf Spot
Fungal diseases like leaf spot can also lead to leaf loss in ficus trees. Infected leaves develop spots or blotches before yellowing and falling off.
Isolate affected plants to prevent spreading. Treat fungal diseases immediately with a fungicide appropriate for use on ficus trees.
Stress From Environmental Changes
Any sudden changes in environment can stress a ficus tree. For example, moving a ficus outside for summer after it’s been indoors can shock the plant.
Introduce any environmental shifts like location or temperature changes slowly over a period of 7-10 days. Keeping conditions stable is key to prevent stress.
Normal Seasonal Leaf Loss
Keep in mind that ficus trees do naturally drop some older leaves throughout the year, particularly when seasons change.
As long as the leaf loss isn’t excessive, with no more than 1/2 of the tree defoliating, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
Solutions To Get Your Ficus Thriving Again
- Check soil moisture before watering and only water when top inch is dry
- Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes
- Move plant to a bright, warm location out of direct sun
- Maintain indoor temps above 60°F and shelter from drafts
- Mist leaves regularly to boost humidity
- Inspect frequently for pests and treat any found ASAP
- Use half strength balanced fertilizer every 2-3 months when actively growing
- Slowly acclimate ficus to any environmental shifts over 7-10 days
With a little attentive care and prompt troubleshooting, you can get your ficus tree back to good health and looking beautiful in no time. Focus on addressing any underlying issues as soon as you notice extensive leaf drop.
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.
You Moved It Recently (Image credit: Mila Naumova / Getty Images)
One of the biggest pieces of advice from seasoned Ficus owners is to never move the plant. l once had a magnificent Ficus tree but I had to move. I babied the Ficus in its new home but to no avail. These plant’s sensitivity to change is maddening. Even temporarily moving the plant to clean the area could cause it to drop a leaf or 2.
My Ficus Bonsai is dropping leaves
FAQ
How to stop Ficus from dropping leaves?
How do I encourage new leaves on my Ficus?
Keeping feeding every time you water (the weekly weakly method is great for Ficus), and wait! Warmth and light both help trigger new growth also, but because Ficus don’t tend to like change, I normally return them to their favourite spot to recover and get growing.
How often should I water my Ficus?
How to get Ficus leaves to grow back?
feed your ficus well to make it strong and healthy. Prune all branches way back leaving only 2 or 3 nodes in spring and summer. Generally the harder you prune the more shoots will sprout from that stem. Allow the new shoots to grow, feed and care well then prune again to induce more new buds and shoots.
Why is my ficus tree losing leaves?
First of all, realize that it is normal for a ficus tree to lose some leaves. A few leaves dropping off a ficus tree will not hurt it and it will regrow, but if your ficus is losing more than a few leaves, the following reasons could be why: The most common cause for dropping ficus leaves is that its environment has changed.
Will a ficus tree drop leaves?
Because out of all the houseplants you could have picked, weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is probably the most finicky. The question is not if it will drop leaves. The question is when? emPhoto: Steve Bender/em. Here are four common reasons a ficus tree drops its leaves. 1. You bought it at a greenhouse and brought it home.
How do you know if a ficus tree has leaf loss?
Check for small insects on the undersides of leaves and stems if leaf drop is accompanied by any stickiness. Fungal diseases like leaf spot can also lead to leaf loss in ficus trees. Infected leaves develop spots or blotches and soon yellow and fall off. Isolate affected plants and use a fungicide to treat disease.
Why do ficus trees drop their leaves when repotting?
Ficus trees react to root disturbance during repotting, resulting in stress. Another thing fussy ficuses don’t appreciate is root disturbance. When their roots are manhandled and exposed to the air when repotting, they become stressed and may respond by dropping their leaves.
What does a Ficus dropping leaves mean?
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.
Why do fig trees drop leaves?
Fig trees appreciate even, moderate moisture. When the plant does not receive adequate water, it may react by dropping some leaves. In the winter, the ficus is not actively growing and should receive a bit less moisture. This may cause it to drop a few leaves but that is normal.