Why Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Is Dropping Leaves—and How to Fix It

Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is a beautiful tree with large, oval-shaped leaves that make it a desirable houseplant. One downside is that this species can be difficult to care for. A tropical plant native to western Africa, fiddle leaf figs thrive with ample sunlight, high humidity, and moist soil. When its needs aren't met, or the plant is stressed, it can drop its leaves. To prevent this from happening, we spoke to gardening experts who shared several reasons fiddle leaf figs lose leaves—plus tips for how to fix each issue.

Overwatering

Overwatering a fiddle leaf fig can cause the soil to become waterlogged, depriving the roots of oxygen and potentially leading to root rot. This can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

Prevent overwatering by feeling the soil before watering your plant. "If the potting mix feels moist or wet, hold off for a few days and check again," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. If the soil is waterlogged beyond repair, Langelo recommends repotting the plant in a container with well-draining potting soil. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole for water to escape.

Underwatering

On the other hand, underwatering can also cause a fiddle leaf fig to lose its leaves. This is because the potting mix does not contain enough moisture for the roots to access. "The best way to prevent underwatering is to check on your plant regularly," says Hancock. If the potting mix feels dry more than about 50 percent of the way down the pot, then give it a good watering."

Too Much Sunlight

In its native habitat, fiddle leaf fig plants grow in full sun, so too much sunlight isn't typically an issue. However, if the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight too quickly, the leaves may become sunburned and have a bleached appearance. "In time, these damaged leaves will drop," says Hancock.

To prevent this from happening, acclimate your plant to the sun by slowly exposing it to increased amounts of sun over the course of a couple of weeks, Hancock advises. If your plant is already sunburned, consider moving it to a location where it receives less intense rays but still gets at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Too Little Sunlight

Similarly, a fiddle leaf fig rarely drops leaves from too little sunlight. That said, abruptly moving the plant from a bright spot to a dim one can stress the plant, causing it to lose leaves. "In nature, plants are rooted in place and don’t suddenly go from one set of growing conditions to another," says Hancock, adding that this can be stressful for plants.

Prevent this shock by acclimating your plant to its new home. "For example, if you’ve had it outside for the summer and want to bring it in for the winter, bring it inside for a couple of hours one day. The next day, add another hour," says Hancock. "Over the course of a week or two, let it spend more and more time inside so it adjusts."

Pests

Pests can weaken the plant, causing leaf drop. "Most common houseplant pests attack by sucking moisture and nutrients from plant cells, much the way a mosquito attacks a person," says Hancock.

To prevent pests, carefully check any new houseplants you bring into your home for signs of an infestation. Keep the plant in another room for a few weeks if you're unsure. If your fiddle leaf fig already has an infestation, consider treating it with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, but remedies may vary depending on the type of pest present.

Disease

Certain diseases like leaf spot can weaken your fiddle leaf fig plant, causing it to lose leaves. To protect your plant against these diseases, give it a good environment with a lot of sunlight, appropriate watering, and fertilization from time to time, says Hancock.

How you treat the disease will depend on the type of disease it is. "Like pests, different diseases are treated differently," says Hancock. "A particular fungicide might be effective in stopping one disease, but not another."

Root-Bound Plant

When a fiddle leaf fig becomes root-bound, it will drop its leaves because there isn’t enough space in the pot for the plant to receive proper water, nutrition, or oxygen, says Langelo. When the soil is hard, compacted, or pulling away from the edge of the pot, the roots are likely root-bound. Another sign is seeing roots growing out of the drainage holes.

To fix this issue, repot your fiddle leaf fig in a container that is about 2 to 3 inches bigger in diameter than its current container. Gently remove the plant from the pot, loosen any circling roots, and place the plant in the new container with fresh potting soil. "After you repot it with fresh potting soil, wait about a month and fertilize it," says Langelo.

Low Humidity

Low humidity levels (below 30 percent) can stress your fiddle leaf fig and cause it to lose leaves. Increasing humidity by placing a humidifier nearby or grouping it closely with other plants can help prevent this issue. "Plants release moisture as they breathe, so a cluster of plants can help humidify one another," says Hancock.

Temperature Fluctuations

Sudden temperature fluctuations and drafts can cause a fiddle leaf fig to lose its leaves. "In nature, plants don’t usually experience the kind of sudden temperature shifts they do when they’re with us," says Hancock.

If you plan to move the location of your fiddle leaf fig, do so gradually to avoid shocking the plant. Additionally, Hancock says to keep your plant away from heating and cooling vents, as well as drafty doors or windows. These plants prefer a temperature above 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, Langelo adds.

Aging

Your fiddle leaf fig can also drop leaves naturally with age, but unfortunately, there's no remedy for this. On the bright side, these plants have long lifespans. "A fiddle leaf fig can live 10 to 15 years on average as a houseplant," says Langelo. "Their lifespan can go up to 50 years in their natural habitat."