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Fiddle leaf figs are popular houseplants with large, bright green leaves that brighten almost any room. While fiddle leaf figs are relatively easy to care for, they are prone to some challenging issues.
When your fiddlehead fig is in trouble, you can often save it by treating its specific problem and providing it with the right care and conditions.
Once your plant has recovered, encouraging new growth will revitalize the plant and help it thrive.
Root rot is caused by too much moisture in the soil from overwatering. Fiddler fig tree roots need oxygen to live, they should be kept slightly moist but never wet.
Steps To Fix Root Rot In A Fiddle Leaf Fig
Many plant owners, keen to take good care of their new plants, water them too often, resulting in the roots sitting in the water and drowning.
The only way to know for sure is to take the root ball out of the pot to examine it.
If you know what to look for and follow these steps at the first sign of trouble, your fiddle leaf fig may be able to perform a full recovery.
1. Identify The Signs Of Root Rot
Knowing what to look for is half the battle. If your plant’s leaves are browning or falling off, you may have root rot.
Check the ground first. The only way to be sure is to remove the plant from the pot and examine the root ball. If the roots are brown or mushy, the plant has root rot.
2. Report Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
To prevent the further spread of root rot, it is best to use new soil and a new pot when repotting your fiddle leaf fig tree. The new pot should not be much larger than the old one.
An additional 3 to 4 inches in diameter is all your plant needs. If you use a pot that is too large, moisture can build up, which can damage the roots of the fiddle leaf plant again.
Plant your fiddle leaf fig tree in a new pot of fresh soil. Use a new pot 3 to 4 inches larger in diameter than the old pot.
Pour a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot before adding soil, this will ensure proper drainage. Be sure to use fresh, well-drained soil, and don’t pack it too tightly.
You need to make sure there is room for air to circulate. It may also help to lay a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot before adding soil.
This wicks moisture away more efficiently and prevents roots from becoming stuck in standing water.
3. Clean The Roots
The first step in reversing root rot is to uncover and wash the roots of the plant. Use clean water at a mild temperature.
Water that is too hot or too cold can damage delicate roots. Be sure to remove any film, damp soil, and debris from the root ball to give your plant a chance at healthy roots.
Cutting off diseased roots It is very important to remove all diseased parts of the roots. Otherwise, the disease can spread throughout the plant and eventually kill it.
You can tell where the affected areas are because they are brown or black and moist. Use these sharp scissors to cut off any damaged roots.
When you’re done, the remaining roots should be firm, dry, and light.
4. Water Properly
Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot on fiddle leaf fig plants, and once it starts it can quickly kill the plant.
It can cause fiddle leaf fig roots to settle in stagnant water or moist soil, resulting in soggy and diseased roots.
Water the plant copiously after transplanting. This will help her settle into her new surroundings. Look for drainage holes at the bottom to ensure excess water can drain out of the bottom.
Watering, your soil may be too firm. Water your plant immediately after transplanting. After watering, check the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
If the water does not drain from the pot, improve the soil and replant the fiddle leaf fig tree. If the soil is too firm, remove the fiddle leaf fig tree. Then mix the potting soil with perlite or coco coir to ensure it drains better.
5. Allow To Dry
After watering the newly transplanted plant, place it in a spot that will get plenty of indirect sunlight and leave it alone. Most violin figs take 1-2 weeks to dry between waterings, depending on their size and the environment in which they grow.
It may be tempting to water the plant once the topsoil dries up, but don’t do it. The ground underneath may still be wet.
As a general rule of thumb, when in doubt, soak your reed rather than pour it over.
Locate your plant so that it receives bright, indirect sunlight for 6 hours a day. Bright indirect light allows the plant to get the sunlight it needs to revive without overheating. If your plant doesn’t get enough sun, the leaves will likely start to brown and fall off
6. Maintain Good Temperature
Maintaining a moderate to warm room temperature also prevents the fiddle leaf fig tree from overheating or becoming too cold.
Also, keep your plant as far away from drafty areas as possible. Even if you control the room temperature, windows, vents, and heaters can cause leaves to turn brown.
If your fiddle leaf fig tree gets too cold, you may see red spots on the new leaves. In this case, move your plant to a warmer spot.
7. Fertilize Properly
Fertilize your plant once a month, except in winter. Add about 1 teaspoon of liquid fertilizer to the soil of your fiddle leaf fig tree during spring, summer, and fall.
Avoid adding fertilizer in winter or more than once a month to avoid giving the plant more nutrients than it can consume.
Granulated fertilizer can be difficult to process and you risk – fertilizing it. Using a liquid fertilizer is generally a safer option as it is easier to control.
For best results, use a fertilizer specifically formulated for fiddle leaf figs. If you can’t find it, use an all-purpose fertilizer that contains about 30% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 20% potassium.
8. Create An Insect Trap
Craft a mosquito trap to get rid of a mosquito infestation. If you see mosquitoes flying around your plant, fill a small bowl with honey or apple cider vinegar.
Cover the plate with plastic wrap, then poke a few holes in the top with a toothpick. Place your mosquito trap on the ground next to your plant.
Mosquitoes will crawl through the holes to get at the honey or apple cider vinegar, but they probably won’t be able to get out. It can also be helpful to allow the soil on the plant to dry out while you treat the infestation.
Mosquitoes generally nest in the top layer of soil and thrive in moisture, so drying out the soil prevents them from laying and hatching eggs.
Setting up a mosquito trap will usually eliminate a mosquito infestation within a few weeks.
9. Kill Insects
Water, alcohol, and neem oil kill spider mites and mealybugs. If you notice small black or white bugs or dark spots on the leaves, twigs, or stems, spray the infected areas with water to manually remove as many as possible.
Then dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and press on it. each point to kill the insects. The small insects or black spots are likely mites, while the white spots are usually mealy bugs.
You can also spray your plant with a neem oil-based product to kill any insects. that you can’t see.
Spray your plant with neem oil if there is mold on the main stem.
Purchase a neem oil-based plant spray fungicide and apply it liberally to the moldy area. Repeat this every few days until the mold starts to die and goes away. You can also use neem oil in leaves that otherwise look healthy.
Instead of neem oil, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 liter of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mold generously until the solution disappears.
Neem oil mushroom-based fungicide sprays are widely available online and in-plant supply stores.
Can A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Recover From Root Rot?
A fiddle leaf fig tree can recover from root rot, but it’s important to catch the problem early. At the first sign of browning or drooping leaves, check your plant’s roots.
If they appear ill, take immediate action to repair them. Flushing and trimming the roots and repotting can eliminate root rot and allow your plant to fully recover.
A fiddle leaf fig tree can recover from root rot, but only if the problem is caught early. At the first sign of brown or drooping leaves, examine the root ball.
If the roots are diseased, wash and cut them immediately and transplant the plant. Root rot can be difficult to spot at first, but can quickly kill the entire plant.
Time is of the essence. If you act quickly, your plant can fully recover. Root rot can be undetectable in its early stages, but it spreads quickly.
If left untreated, the entire plant will die. fig your best chance for a full recovery.
Can Fiddle Fig Root Rot Be Fixed Without Repotting?
One of the most important steps in repairing fig root rot is transplanting the plant into a new container. This new container should have fresh soil.
Repotting in this way ensures that the plant and its growing environments are disease and bacteria-free.
Skipping this step can endanger your plant. To save your fiddle leaf fig tree, you need to report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still, need more answers? Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.
Can A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Recover From Root Rot?
A fiddle leaf fig tree can recover from root rot, but only if the problem is caught early. Root rot can be hard to spot at first, but can quickly kill the entire plant.
How To Fix Root Rot On A Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Rinse all roots thoroughly with water. Repot the plant into a new, well-drained container with fresh soil that drains quickly.
Place your Fiddle in bright, indirect light and water once.
Should I Water My Fiddle Fig Tree After Transplanting It For Root Rot?
Be sure to water it until plenty of excess drains are drained. You may notice that the ground level is also falling.
You can press gently but firmly into the soil with your hands or tap the pot lightly to help it settle. Be careful not to water your fiddle fig again until the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
How Do You Revive A Dying Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?
In short, the best thing you can do to help your fiddle leaf fig tree survive is to leave it alone to slowly and naturally recover on its own.
How Long Does It Take For Root Rot To Heal?
About Five to Seven Days Provided you have properly identified and treated root rot, your plants should recover in about five to seven days.
How To Save Root Rot?
Begin treating root rot by removing the plant from the soil and washing the roots with running water.
Wash away as much of the affected soil and roots as possible while treating the plant gently. Next, use clean, sharp scissors to snip away any remaining affected roots.
Final Thoughts
Fiddle leaf fig trees are susceptible to root rot, a condition that if not treated properly can quickly kill your plants, such as brown or falling leaves, or constantly wet soil, act quickly.
Remove the plant from its pot, rinse the roots and cut off any brown ones, then transplant the plant to a new container with new soil.
After setting up your plant, water it liberally and give it enough time to dry out.
