How To Save Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig (Top Guide)

Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig could lead to a variety of problems, including brown spots and root rot. Here’s how to fix overwatering, including the use of a moisture meter and misting the leaves. It might be time for your Fiddle Leaf Fig to be replanted if you suspect that it is suffering from root rot. This article will explain the most common root rot causes and the best treatment.

How can you save a Fiddle Leaf Fig that is too dry?

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  A watering regimen is essential. Water your plant at the same time every week to keep the roots from drying out.
  
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  Use a mixture of soil and gravel to make sure your pot drains well.
  
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  Make sure you water your plants only when they are thirsty.
  

Signs of an Overwatered Fiddle LeafFig

Root rot can cause brown spots to form at the edges and in the middle of leaves. They spread and cause leaves to fall.

Root rot can be confirmed by inspecting the roots. Roots that have root rot will appear mushy and damp.

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  Leaves turn brown and wilt
  

Overwatering can cause brown-colored leaves. The leaves may also appear to shrivel or wilt.

Overwatering can cause yellowing of the leaves. This may be seen on the lower leaves first.

When a plant is trying to conserve energy, leaves can fall off it. This is often a sign of a problem within the plant.

Overwatering can lead to leaves falling from Fiddle Leaf Figs. This could indicate root rot, or a nutrient shortage.

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  Curled Leaves and Stunted Growth
  

Fiddle Leaf Figs often produce new leaves. They will grow new leaves every 4 to 6 weeks.

Over-watering could cause a decrease in the growth of new leaves. Over-watering can also cause leaves to curl.

Edema can be described as a dappling or spot of small red or brown spots on Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves.

These spots are caused by the plant’s roots taking in more water than it can handle.

This causes the cells to burst. These dead cells are what you see on the leaves.

See Also: How to Grow Anthurium in Water

How to Fix an Overwatered Fiddle leaf Fig

You can solve your Fiddle Leaf Fig problem immediately if you have noticed signs of overwatering.

Here are some ways to help your Fiddle Leaf Fig get well again.

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Don’t Overwater

You can immediately take action if you realize that your Fiddle LeafFig has been overwatered.

It is important to measure how much water you give your Fiddle Leaf Fig, and not just pour it out.

These plants need only 1 – 4 cups of water per week depending on their size.

It is crucial to measure the water and be consistent with the amount. This will prevent accidental overwatering.

This will prevent your Fiddle Leaf Fig from accumulating too much water.

Repot your Plant

Repotting Fiddle Leaf Figs can help if your Fiddle Leaf Fig is suffering from excessive watering.

• It is possible that the soil is too wet. It may be possible to restart the process if this happens.
• It is possible that the original pot did not have enough drainage. Good drainage will prevent overwatering in the future.
• The soil could have been too large for your plant. This can lead to Edema, which is the risk of your plant suffering from dryness.

To aid drainage, add 1 – 2 inches (22.5 – 5cm), of gravel to the bottom of your pot. Add soil to the gravel.

To ensure that water does not build up, choose a pot with large drainage holes.

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Fiddle Leaf Figs should be repotted every 1 – 2 years. Choose a pot that is 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10cm) wider than the original pot when repotting.

Repotting can solve drainage problems and soil issues that cause Fiddle LeafFigs to become overwatered.

 

Take a look at the Lighting

How much light your Fiddle Leaf Fig gets will affect how much water it requires.

Overwatering can cause root rot if your plant doesn’t get enough sunlight. The sun creates heat, which allows the soil’s water to evaporate.

Fiddle Leaf Figs love bright, sunny rooms. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause leaf burn.

Avoid putting your plant in shade. This is where the problems with overwatering can begin.

 

Although it may seem like watering once every 1 to 2 weeks seems sufficient, it is essential that roots dry out.

Root rot and other problems related to overwatering can be caused by excessive watering of Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Use a Moisture Meter

The moisture meter can be a great tool to address the problem of overwatering.

The soil is a good place to put moisture meters. They are tiny devices that have “legs”. These sensors monitor the soil’s moisture level.

The moisture meter displays information about the soil’s moisture, such as whether it is dry, wet, or moist.

This is a great way to determine the conditions near your Fiddle Leaf Fig roots – even if the topsoil seems dry, the roots could still be wet.

A moisture meter can be used to determine if the soil is sufficiently dry to need watering and also prevent excessive watering.

A moisture meter can also be used to determine if the drainage is not working properly in the pot. This could cause root problems.

Combat Root Rot

Overwatering can cause root rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs. Roots that are left in excess water can rot.

If you notice leaves turning brown, it is important to act quickly. This could indicate root rot. The leaves will eventually fall if they become brown spots.

• Begin by inspecting the roots of your plant for signs of rot. To loosen the soil, you can squeeze the bottom of the pot before removing the plant from its container.
• Take your Fiddle Leaf Fig and gently hold it by the trunk.
• Examine the roots’ appearance. You will need to take out roots that are extremely wet and appear mushy or brown.
• You can see the roots clearly if you clean the root ball with water.
• Sharp pruning shears are used to remove brown, squishy roots that have been affected by rot.
• To stop the rot from spreading, repot the plant in a new container with fresh soil and gravel.

The current problem can be solved by removing rot. Root rot can be prevented by not overwatering the plants in the future.

Make sure your plant has the right size pot, the right soil, gets enough light and is hydrated with the proper frequency.

Applying a fungicide

You might think that applying a fungicide to fix overwatering of fiddle leaf figs is not necessary but this is not the case. Fungi are fungi that live in soil and attack plants via the roots. If you have a new plant and notice discolored roots, you may have a bacterial infection. The best way to fix this problem is to prevent the fungus from infecting the rest of your plants.

A fungicide will quickly kill the bacteria. You should spray the fungicide on the entire plant and on the affected leaves and stems. Monterey LG 3174 Fungicide and Bactericide is a safe fungicide that is approved for organic gardening. It can also be used indoors. You may prefer an alternative method if you don’t want to use a pesticide

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How to Water Fiddle Leaf Fig

A few simple watering tips can make all the difference in your Fiddle LeafFig’s happiness.

Once you know how to water your plant, it will be much easier to care for it.

Watering Rules

• Water the soil and not the leaves. Watering the leaves directly will cause damage and result in the root system of the plant not receiving enough water. Water the soil around the base of your plant directly.
• Before watering, make sure that the topsoil has dried completely. This will prevent roots from sitting in too much water which is something the Fiddle LeafFig hates.
• These plants like lukewarm or room temperature water because cold water can shock their roots.

Watering Frequency

• You can create a watering plan so you water your plants at the same time every week.
• Fiddle Leaf Figs need only be watered once in 1 to 2 weeks. You can keep an eye on the drying time of topsoil and plan your watering schedule accordingly.

External Factors That Influence Watering Frequency

Consistency is the key to caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig. It also requires paying attention to the environment and adapting watering accordingly.

So that your plant always receives the same amount of water.

 

Too much sunlight can cause water to evaporate faster from the soil.

• You may have to adjust your watering schedule if it is very sunny or warm.
• Water evaporates slower when it’s humid. Because of the high humidity, you may have to water your plants less often.
• You may also need to water Fiddle Leaf Figs slightly more in less humid areas.

Water Quality

• Many chemicals can be found in tap water, including fluoride and chlorine.
• Tap water can also contain minerals and salt. Minerals and chemicals can cause irreversible damage to your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves and roots.
• Because it mimics its natural environment, collected rainwater is the best water for your plant.
• Filtered water or distilled water is better than tap water for Fiddle Leaf Figs, because many of the chemicals have been removed.

When to Water

• Your Fiddle LeafFig can be watered in the morning and evening. These are the best times to water your Fiddle Leaf Fig. Cooler temperatures mean that water evaporates more slowly and plants have more time to absorb moisture.
• The size of your Fiddle Leaf Fig will determine how much water you need.

Size of Fiddle Leaf Figure	Water consumption per week
<2ft. (<0.6m)	1 Cup (240ml).
2 – 3ft. (0.6 – 0.9m)	2 cups (480ml).
3 – 6ft. (0.9 – 1.8m)	3 cups (720ml).
>6ft. (>1.8m)	4 cups (960ml).

How to water after repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig

Because Fiddle Leaf Figs seem very fragile to environmental changes and mobility, they must be handled with care when being transferred.

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These steps will help you ensure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig does not suffer any damage when transplanting it.

• Before transplanting your Fiddle Leaf Fig, don’t water it.
• Before you attempt to take your Fiddle Leaf Fig out of its original container, let the soil dry thoroughly.
• It should be moist enough for the soil to hold together but not too dry. It will be easier to take your plant out of its container if the soil is dry.
• Avoid watering Fiddle Leaf Figs at all costs.

After you have successfully transplanted the Fiddle Leaf Fig into a new container, make sure to water it regularly.

You can help your plants in many ways by not watering them until they are in their new containers.

• This makes it easier to remove the plant from the original container and causes less damage.
• After transplanting, watering your Fiddle Leaf Fig will make it settle in its new container.
• The soil will become cohesive if it is watered at the same time that the soil you have transplanted with the Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Common Mistakes in Watering Fiddle Leaf Fig

Overwatering a Fiddle Leaf Fig can lead to problems. Your plant can suffer from several problems if it is not allowed to dry completely.

Root rot is when roots aren’t allowed to dry properly. Excessive water can also cause soil deficiency by flushing nutrients out of the soil.

Overwatering can also cause the cells of the leaves to burst due to excessive pressure.

These issues can create aesthetic problems, such as the browning of leaves, and can eventually lead to the death of your plant if nothing is done.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common errors in watering Fiddle Leaf Figs.

• Too much water can cause overwatering. Overwatering your beautiful plant or giving it too much water can cause it to drown.
• Fiddle Leaf Figs can also have problems with inconsistently watering. This can lead to soil drying out between watering or excessive drying. It can also cause problems related to overwatering as well as underwatering.
• Avoid watering the Fiddle LeafFig’s leaves. It can cause damage to the leaves if you get water on them. It does not help your plant. Direct watering on the soil will quickly get the water to the roots.

Common Mistakes	How to Avoid
Inconsistent Watering	Create a watering plan so you water your plants once a week.
Too Much	Your plant should be watered according to its size: 2ft. (<0.6m) = 1 cup (240ml) per week 2-3ft. (0.6-0.9m) = 2 Cups (480ml),3 – 6ft. (0.9-1.8m) = 3 Cups (720ml).>6ft. (>1.8m), = 4 cups (960ml).
Overwatering Soil	Make sure there are enough drainage holes in the pot. Add a layer of gravel to the pot.
Watering the Roots and Not the Leaves	Watering should be done at the base of your plant.
Watering in the Heat of the Day	Water in the mornings and evenings when it’s cooler.

FAQs

How can you revive a fiddle leaf fig that is dying?

• It should get enough sun – at least for a few hours per day – in bright, sunny rooms
• Keep it out of direct sunlight and cold air.
• Water about every 10-14 days at room temperature, rain/distilled.
• If root rot is detected, remove any rotten roots.
• Place the plant in a pot that has good drainage and contains a mixture of soil and gravel.
• If the stem is bent or very sick, you can cut it to 12 inches (30 cm) and it will grow back.

Do I need to remove brown leaves from my Fiddle Leaf Fig tree?

• Do not remove brown leaves as soon as they appear. Wait a few weeks and they might recover if they aren’t too damaged.
• It is more beneficial to remove the entire leaf than to just cut off the brown areas.
• If the leaf is still not fully recovered after a few days, you can use sterilized shears to remove it.

How do you know if a Fiddle Leaf Fig is suffering from root rot?

• Root rot can be seen in the leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig.
• The leaves will develop dark brown spots at the edges and the middle.
• The leaves will fall off.
• Root rot can be confirmed by checking the roots. Rotting roots can appear brown and wet.