Fiddle leaf fig trees are one of the most popular house plants and for a good reason. They have interesting, dark-veined foliage, strong stems with heavy bark, and a look that feels like you’ve got a miniaturized tree in your house.
Indeed, the fiddle leaf fig tree is a truly compelling house plant. But if you’re as big a fan of them as we are, then chances are you have seen them when they start to develop yellow coloration in their leaves.
This is a sign that something is likely to have gone wrong with your fiddle leaf. But don’t panic.
There is still a good chance you can fix your fiddle leaf and nurse it back to health. The key is to note the signs it displays and correctly respond before it’s too late.
Reasons For Yellow Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Leaves, And What To Do About It?
Almost anything that can go wrong with a plant, like a fiddle leaf, is likely to cause the yellowing of the leaves.
So the key to saving your fiddle tree is to spot the signs as early as possible, diagnose the problem, and start giving it what it needs.
Unless your fiddle leaf fig tree has contracted some disease that we don’t know about, it is all but certain that one of the reasons below is behind those yellowing leaves.
There are at least five reasons your fiddle leaf tree may turn yellow. Some of these reasons are easily fixable, and some are not, but they are all natural and simple.
In some cases, sadly, you might need help to stop the inevitable degradation of your fiddle leaf tree.
However, your fiddle leaf tree can still be saved if you determine the main culprit.
They are the following:
- Too much water
- Too little sunlight
- Insufficient nutrients
- Pest activity
- Natural, age-related reasons
So now, let’s talk about each one and what to do about it.
Too Much Water
Too much water will damage or destroy almost any plant. Fiddle leaf plants like very moist soil but don’t do well if left in standing water for too long.
This will cause the roots to rot, and nutrients will begin to fail to make their way to the leaves. That is when you will start to see the yellowing.
You want to put these plants in soil that drains well. Consider mixing sand with the soil and keep an eye on it to ensure it drains well. Also, consider investing in a moisture meter.
Too Little Sunlight
Getting the moisture level right and still giving your fiddle plant too little light is possible.
These plants don’t like a lot of direct sunlight. As long as they get plenty of indirect sunlight, the plant will probably have a good balance.
However, too much light will dry these plants out, but too little isn’t good either. So try keeping it near an open window, just outside the reach of direct beams of light.
Insufficient Nutrients
Many plant owners give their fiddle leaf figs plenty of nutrients in the potting soil early on and then forget about soil nutrients down the road.
Hard water is another danger to look out for, as scaling can cover the absorbent surfaces on the roots and starve your fiddle tree.
Make sure that you aren’t giving it hard water. If you have a problem with hard water in your area, you should filter the water you give to your fiddle tree.
Also, try swapping out the potting mix for a fresh batch. That will also give you a chance to make sure the soil drains properly.
Pest Activity
Pests can be bad news for any plant, but fiddle trees seem extra attractive to many plant-eating pests.
Spider mites are the most likely suspect. Check under the leaves for egg clusters and for the fine webbing many pests common to these plants leave.
Moreover, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites are all big fans of the fiddle leaf, and the signs they leave are reasonably distinct.
Check beneath the leaves for holes, patches, webbing, and yellow spots. You should get a magnifying glass to spot them, and make sure to search thoroughly.
Wipe the leaves down on both sides with a dry clean cloth and then go over them with neem oil or another gentle insecticide solution.
Natural, Age-Related Reasons
Of course, every living thing has a limited time on this Earth. Fiddle trees are known for their longevity, but if their time has come, there isn’t much you can do about it.
If your fiddle tree is between 20 and 50 years old, chances are you won’t be able to save it, no matter how green your thumb may be.
Likewise, if the damage from neglect or pest infestation is too great, its final days may be nigh. But if your fiddle tree can be saved, one of the first four causes mentioned above is your likely problem.
If that is the case, you should be able to save your fiddle tree in most cases.