Is Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Dropping Leaves? Here’s Why and How to Save It Before It’s Too Late

Fiddle leaf figs dropping leaves can look dramatic – big glossy leaves suddenly yellowing or tumbling to the floor – but this common problem is rarely game over. Your plant is signaling stress, so figuring out the reason why gives you the upper hand for fixing it.

Having a good grasp of the basics of fiddle leaf fig care may cover the essentials, but when leaves start falling, zeroing in on the trigger makes all the difference. These tropical beauties are sensitive to change, so even small shifts can trigger leaf loss.

Each underlying issue shows slightly different signs, which makes identifying and solving the problem easier. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of a fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves and how to get your plant back on track.

Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Dropping Leaves?

Fiddle leaf figs react fast to changes – a new location, draft, or watering slip-up – and these picky houseplants drop their leaves. It’s their way of saying something’s wrong, but catching it early usually means a full comeback. Lower leaves tend to go first in most cases, but sudden upper leaf drop points to shock or pests.

The most common culprits of fiddle leaf fig leaves falling off are overwatering, underwatering, low light, temperature swings, or shock from moving. Each shows slightly different signs, so matching symptoms to causes will help you save time. Once the issue is fixed, new growth often appears within a few weeks as your plant recovers.

1. Overwatering

Overwatering tops the list of causes for fiddle leaf fid leaves dropping. Soggy roots from too much water can suffocate. Leaves turn yellow from the bottom up, then drop as rot sets in. If soil stays wet too long, it invites root rot that spreads fast and smells bad when you check on your plants.

Always inspect soil moisture before watering. Stick a finger about 1 inch (2.5 cm) down into the soil. If it’s damp, wait and don’t water. Use a well-draining potting mix, like this one from Miracle-Gro that’s made specifically for houseplants, and always plant in pots with drainage holes.

Fix an overwatered fiddle leaf fig by letting it dry out completely. Then if the roots are mushy, repot your plant and trim away any rotted roots with sterile scissors. To prevent future problems from overwatering, invest in a 4-in-1 moisture meter like this one from Amazon.

2. Underwatering

Underwatering dries out roots, makes leaves curl and turn brown at edges, and eventually makes fiddle leaf figs drop their leaves to save energy. You can spot this issue easily when you see soil pull away from the sides of your pot. Check the roots to see if they’re shriveled and feel brittle.

To fix an underwatered fiddle leaf fig, water your plant thoroughly until it drains out bottom. You can also soak the entire pot in the sink if the soil is totally dried out and hydrophobic, or won’t take in any water.

Prevent underwatering with weekly checks by lifting the pot – a light pot means that your plant is probably thirsty. A consistent plant watering routine keeps roots happy and leaves lush.

3. Low Light

Low light slows photosynthesis, leaving lower leaves yellow and eventually making them drop. Another sign of low light is when stems become leggy and stretch toward the window. Also, when growth slows, this could be a sign of a lack of sufficient sunlight.

Move your fiddle leaf fig to a sunnier spot with bright, indirect light. South or west-facing windows are ideal. Rotate your plant for even exposure to avoid leaning. If your house doesn’t have enough natural light, supplement with a grow light. I like this full-spectrum LED from Amazon.

3. Temperature Swings & Drafts

Temperature swings and cold drafts stress plants. Leaves may drop suddenly, often after turning brown or black around the edges. Heating vents or AC blasts can cause similar issues with crispy edges.

Keep indoor temperatures stable at around 65-85°F (18-29°C) and place plants away from drafts, heaters, and windows. If you want to move your houseplants, acclimate them slowly to their new spot.

Prevent leaf drop by providing consistent room temperatures and checking new locations have the ideal growing conditions for your fiddle leaf fig. Even small fluctuations can add up over time and cause problems.

4. Transplant Shock

Transplant shock often hits after repotting or moving and can make a fiddle leaf fig drop leaves as the plant adjusts to its new soil or light conditions. After the roots have been disturbed, uptake of nutrients and water slows temporarily. This is especially likely if you repot or transplant your plant in winter.

Water well after repotting a fiddle leaf fig and avoid fertilizing immediately. Give your plant some time and maintain proper plant care as you wait for new growth, which signals recovery.

To prevent leaf drop from transplant shock, handle roots gently and provide the same light conditions in the new location as the previous spot where you kept your plant. The best time to repot houseplants is in the spring when they begin actively growing again.

5. Pests & Diseases

Spider mites, which are a common houseplant pest, suck the sap out of foliage, leaving behind spots, yellowing leaves, and eventually making leaves drop. Check the undersides of leaves for webs or tiny bugs weekly. Fungal houseplant diseases caused by overwatering also make brown spots appear and spread.

Inspect plants often if you suspect issues starting. Wipe off mites with soapy water. This insecticidal soap from Amazon is perfect for cleaning pests off of houseplant leaves. It also helps to increase air flow and reduce moisture.

Prevent pests and diseases by putting new plants in quarantine before adding new ones to your collection or when moving plants back inside for winter. Always clean your tools to stop the spread of pests and diseases.

6. Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient deficiency often shows up as yellowing between the veins – also known as chlorosis – or pale, lackluster leaves dropping from the lower parts first. The plant pulls what it can from older foliage to keep new growth going.

Old soil depletes key elements over time, leaving the whole thing starved and more prone to shedding leaves that look tired and thin. A number of different nutrient deficiencies can cause fiddle leaf figs to drop leaves.

Here are some of the deficiencies that may be the cause of your plant losing foliage:

• Nitrogen Deficiency: A nitrogen shortage leaves plants looking pale or yellowish overall, especially older ones. Slowing growth and new leaves that stay small and weak are signs of nitrogen deficiency. This happens when soil runs low on a key element that aids in chlorophyll production, making the plant look faded and sluggish.
• Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency, also known as iron chlorosis, causes bright yellowing between veins on younger leaves, but the veins stay green. This is common in alkaline soil that locks iron away. New growth suffers most, turning pale and spindly without enough to keep that healthy green going.

• Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium deficiency shows yellowing between veins on older leaves with brown edges or spots because the plant pulls this element to new parts first. A lack of magnesium leads to curling or brittle foliage, especially in overwatered or compacted pots that hold too much dampness.
• Potassium Deficiency: Potassium deficiency brings brown, scorched margins and weak stems that bend easily, and lots of leaf drop. A lack of potassium weakens the overall structure, making the plant prone to disease in nutrient-poor or sandy soils that drain fast.
• Calcium Deficiency: Calcium deficiency appears as distorted new growth, brown tips, or spots on leaves. Roots struggle to take up calcium in cold or acidic conditions that mess with absorption. It hits tips and young parts of plants first, stunting growth and leaving leaf edges looking rough.

Fertilize with a balanced liquid houseplant food, like this one from Miracle-Gro, monthly during spring and fall. Mix it with water to half-strength to avoid fertilizer burn. Flush soil occasionally with plain water to clear salts.

Prevent nutrient deficiencies by replacing pots with fresh soil every one to two years. Test soil if yellowing lingers. pH issues often lock elements away and a soil test can tell you exactly what your plant needs.