The two most common problems for fiddle leaf fig plants are ironically the opposite of each other: too much water and too little water. But what’s worse is that it’s actually tough to tell which is which.
Over-watering leads to root rot, a fungal condition that kills the plant’s roots and leaves. 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. Under-watering and too much sun work together to dry out and burn your plant, so you’ll want to treat those issues together.
But how do you know for sure if your plant is too wet or too dry? First look; brown spots, dropping leaves, and curled edges can be a symptom of both conditions. Here are the subtle differences between an over-watered and under-watered fiddle leaf fig plant.
The fiddle leaf fig is one of the most popular houseplants around due to its large, vibrant leaves. However, these plants are also finicky, and overwatering is a common problem many fiddle leaf fig owners face. An overwatered fiddle leaf fig will exhibit signs of stress like dropping leaves, spots on leaves, and even root rot in severe cases.
In this article we’ll cover the causes and signs of an overwatered fiddle leaf fig. We’ll also provide tips on how to fix an overwatered plant and prevent overwatering in the future.
What Causes Overwatering in Fiddle Leaf Figs?
There are a few key causes of overwatering in fiddle leaf figs:
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Watering Too Frequently Fiddle leaf figs only need to be watered once every 7-10 days on average Watering more frequently than this does not allow the soil to dry out sufficiently between waterings.
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Poor Drainage: Fiddle leaf figs need soil that drains well. Dense, heavy soil or a pot without drainage holes can lead to waterlogged roots.
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Excessive Amounts of Water: Giving your fiddle leaf fig large amounts of water at once can cause root issues even if you don’t water frequently. Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
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Low Light Fiddle leaf figs kept in low light conditions are more prone to overwatering issues. Their growth slows, and they take up less water.
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Cool Temperatures: Plants kept in cool spots below 65°F may not need as much water. The cooler conditions slow their growth rate.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig is Overwatered
If you suspect you may be overwatering your fiddle leaf fig, look for these common signs:
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Wet or Soggy Soil: Stick your finger into the soil. If it feels wet 1-2 days after watering, the plant is getting too much water.
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Mushy or Loose Leaves: Healthy fiddle leaf fig leaves should feel firm. Mushy or drooping leaves can mean overwatering.
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Wilting: While fiddle leaf figs wilt when underwatered, they may also wilt from overwatering if the roots are damaged.
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Leaf Spotting and Dropping: Small brown spots on the leaves are a sign of overwatering. The spots may spread, and leaves may yellow and drop.
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White Fuzzy Growth on Soil: This white, cotton-like growth is mold, which thrives in the damp environment of overwatered pots.
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Rotten Smell: An unpleasant, rotten odor from the potting mix or plant is a sign of root rot and decay.
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Slow Growth: Overwatered fiddle leaf figs devote energy to surviving rather than growth. You’ll see less new leaves.
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Root Rot: Brown, mushy roots that feel hollow or break away easily are caused by persistent overwatering. This can kill the plant.
How to Fix an Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
If you catch overwatering early, it’s often possible to save an overwatered fiddle leaf fig. Here are some tips:
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Allow the Plant to Dry Out: Stop watering and allow the potting mix to dry completely. You can even remove it from the pot to speed drying.
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Trim Damaged Growth: Prune off any leaves or roots that are dead, yellowed, or rotting to prevent decay from spreading.
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Repot in Fresh, Dry Mix: Repot in a container with drainage holes using fresh, dry potting mix to give the plant a new start.
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Move to a Sunny Spot: Place the fiddle leaf fig in a warm, sunny, breezy location to encourage drying out and limit mold growth.
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Treat Root Rot: Use a fungicide drench to kill root rot pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective for mild cases.
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Remove Excess Water: Pour out any water pooled in the saucer after watering. Consider using gravel or pebbles to prevent standing water.
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Adjust Your Watering: Once recovered, create a new watering schedule based on your plant’s needs and only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
How to Prevent Overwatering
Once you get your overwatered fiddle leaf fig back on track, keeping it healthy means taking steps to prevent overwatering in the future:
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Choose a Quick-Draining Soil: Use a potting mix specifically for fiddle leaf figs or amend regular mix with perlite for drainage.
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Water Less Frequently: Wait until the top several inches of soil are dry before watering again. This is usually every 7-14 days.
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Water Thoroughly: When you do water, pour enough so that some drains from the pot’s bottom. This ensures the whole root zone is hydrated.
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Check Before Watering: Stick your finger in the soil to gauge moisture rather than watering on a set schedule.
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Don’t Let It Sit in Water: Always dump out any water in the saucer so the plant isn’t taking up excess moisture.
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Give it Bright Light: Ensure your fiddle leaf fig gets several hours of indirect sunlight or bright daylight each day.
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Maintain Warmth: Keep your fiddle leaf fig in temperatures above 65°F for healthy growth and water intake.
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Increase Air Circulation: Use a small fan to keep air moving around the plant. Stagnant air increases humidity.
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Watch for Signs: Check for any signs of overwatering like leaf spotting, mold, or smell regularly so you can adjust care.
Putting it All Together
While it might seem counterintuitive, it is possible to overwater even a drought-tolerant plant like the fiddle leaf fig. Stay vigilant for the signs of overwatering like soggy soil, wilting, leaf damage, and foul smells from the pot. Catching the issue early makes it more likely you can revive your plant.
Prevention is also key. Choose a well-draining potting mix, water only when the top few inches of soil have dried out, and ensure the plant gets plenty of light. Maintain these habits, and your fiddle leaf fig will thrive for years to come!
Symptoms of an overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
A telltale sign of too much water and/or root rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs is brown spots near the center of the leaves, as well as around the edges. Multiple yellow almost always means too much water.
Overwatered Fiddles will also show a general browning, with tiny dark spots or shady areas, that can spread quickly from one leaf to another 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, as plants tend to protect their new growth and shed the older leaves first.
If you’re still not sure, try using a moisture meter to check the moisture levels in your plant’s roots.
Symptoms of a dry Fiddle Leaf Fig
Determining if your Fiddle is underwatered or overwatered requires a bit of intuition, but chronically dry Fiddles do show a few kew differences from overwatered ones, and one is curled leaves.
Another way to tell your plant is underwatered is noticing where the brown spots lie. Oftentimes, brown spots on a dry Fiddle will show up on the edge of the leaf, versus in the middle near the “veins”. The brown spots will also often appear all over the plant, from top to bottom, whereas root rot usually starts to affect only the bottom leaves first.
Finally, and probably most importantly, 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, with either yellow, droopy, or “spotted” leaves. Furthermore, while both cases will show leaf drop, usually overwatered Fiddles drop their bottom leaves first, whereas a dry Fiddle will drop leaves from anywhere on the plant.
THIS is What Happens When You ERRATICALLY Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
FAQ
How do you fix an overwatered fiddle leaf fig?
Fortunately the treatment is easy and cheap: spray the plant thoroughly with a mixture of half water and half rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Be sure and wet the tops and bottoms of the leaves and the stems. Don’t spray the soil, though.
What does an overwatered fig look like?
Symptoms of Root Rot in a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
The telltale sign of too much water and not enough sunlight is that your plant will start to get brown spots in the middle of the leaf as well as at the edges. You may also see a yellowing of the leaves before they fall off.
Do fiddle leaf figs like to dry out between watering?
Fiddle leaf fig trees prefer to dry out completely between waterings, and while they take a good deal of water to keep healthy, consistent moisture will drown it. Check the tree regularly and do not water if the top two-inches of soil are still moist from the previous watering.