Spots or spots of white on the leaves of your favorite fig tree can be scary. But don’t panic. Most of the time, it’s easy to figure out why fig leaves are turning white or pale and treat them.
This article explores the most common causes of white leaves on fig trees It also provides tips on preventing and resolving these issues to restore your tree’s vibrant green foliage
Understanding Why Fig Leaves Turn White
There are several potential explanations when fig tree leaves start losing their color and turn white or pale:
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Powdery Mildew – This fungal disease shows up as white/gray spots that spread into dry, fuzzy patches. Humid conditions and poor air circulation promote it.
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Scale Insects: These are tiny bugs that feed on sap and leave yellow or white marks, usually along veins. They weaken trees and reduce fruit yields.
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Sunscald – Exposure to excessive direct sun bleaches leaves white. It mostly affects young or newly planted trees.
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Nutrient Deficiencies – Lack of minerals like magnesium and iron hinder chlorophyll production, causing paleness.
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Hard Water Deposits – Mineral residues in hard water used for irrigation can leave white buildup on leaves.
Powdery Mildew: The Prime Suspect
Powdery mildew is one of the most common reasons for white spots and patches on fig leaves. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in humid, stagnant air environments.
On fig trees, powdery mildew first appears as small chalky gray-white spots on leaf surfaces. These spots gradually grow and spread, forming dry, fuzzy or powder-like white patches. The disease typically starts on the undersides of leaves or stems and buds before moving to the upper leaf surfaces.
Trees with dense foliage and poor air circulation are prone to powdery mildew outbreaks. Crowded conditions and excessive moisture promote the fungal growth. Powdery mildew tends to develop in spring and fall when fluctuating temperatures occur – cool humid nights followed by warm sunny days.
Both outdoor and indoor potted fig trees can get powdery mildew. But indoor trees are at higher risk due to the stable warm and humid conditions favored by the powdery mildew fungus.
Treating and Preventing Powdery Mildew
If your fig tree has powdery mildew, take prompt action to treat it and stop its spread:
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Prune off badly infected leaves and branches to reduce spore sources.
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Improve air circulation around the tree by thinning dense growth.
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Apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicides to fight the fungus.
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Water the tree early in the day so leaves can dry out. Avoid overhead watering.
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For indoor fig trees, increase ventilation and airflow in the room.
To prevent powdery mildew recurrence:
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Plant trees in sunny, well-ventilated spots.
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Space trees appropriately to prevent crowding.
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Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization and over-wetting the leaves.
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Promote airflow with pruning and fans if needed.
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Use drip irrigation and mulch to prevent moisture on leaves.
Investigating Other Causes
There are other things besides powdery mildew that can cause white spots or patches on fig tree leaves.
Scale insects are tiny immobile pests that attach themselves to the bark and leaves to feed on sap. Their infestations leave yellowish blotches or spots, typically concentrated along the main leaf veins. Pruning off highly infested branches and spraying horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps can control scales.
Sunscald happens when young or newly transplanted fig trees are suddenly exposed to intense direct sunlight. The upper leaves facing the sun get bleached. Check for a pattern of white upper leaves with green lower leaves pointing toward the shaded trunk. Gradually acclimate trees to prevent sunscald.
Lack of nutrients, especially magnesium and iron, lowers chlorophyll levels, which makes leaves look pale with darker veins. Foliar sprays or changes to the soil can fix shortages that have been proven by testing.
Hard water deposits left by irrigation or misting with mineral-rich hard water also whiten leaves. Switch to distilled or rainwater to avoid further buildup. Gently wipe to remove existing deposits.
Restoring Healthy Green Foliage
Catching and quickly resolving any issues is key to keeping fig leaves vibrant. Examine trees regularly and respond rapidly at the first sign of problems. Knowing your fig variety’s specific needs will help you customize care.
Promote vigor through proper planting, watering, light levels, and nutrition. Healthy, thriving trees better withstand and recover from diseases, pests, and stresses.
Rule out serious pests or diseases that warrant removing badly infected trees to prevent spreading. Always sterilize tools after pruning sick plants. Removing and destroying affected leaves and branches also keeps problems from spreading.
With timely troubleshooting and care adjustments, your fig can bounce back from white leaves. Stay attentive to its needs, and take prompt action at the initial signs of distress. With your diligent care, the fig’s foliage will soon return to its beautiful bright green glory.
What is Eating My Fig Tree Leaves? Coping with Nibbled Foliage
If you spot small holes on your fiddle fig tree’s leaves, take a very close look at either side of each leaf. You may notice small bugs on either side. Sometimes, you can even see the webs they form.
Insect infections are challenging to eradicate, especially when the invaders have settled in and set up home.
Arm yourself with patience and the right equipment. You should be able to make your fiddle leaf fig tree bug-free again. Here are some efficient treatments:
- Apply neem oil directly to the leaves. (2)
- Put one teaspoon of oil and one teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle.
- Add water to the rest of the bottle and spray it on the leaves.
This is a spray bottle I repurposed and placed my neem solution in. You can order good quality neem online locally.
Whichever method you use, make sure you treat both sides of each leaf. Don’t forget the stem. Apply every two weeks as needed.
Stop the infestation from spreading by keeping your fig tree away from other houseplants.
My Fig Tree is Dying: How to Save Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Let’s first address the common indications that your fiddle leaf tree is suffering. Before giving up on your plant, try working your way through some easy fixes. Here are the main clues something has gone wrong and how to remedy them.
- Excessive leaf loss
- Brown spots
- Yellow leaves
- Foliage with holes
- Curled leaves
- White leaves
If your plant exhibits any of the above symptoms, read on.
A fiddle leaf fig should lose a few leaves at the base every so often. Too many leaf drops are not normal.
If your fig tree is losing leaves, evaluate all the possible causes. First, bear in mind that this tree doesn’t like change.
After buying your tree and moving it to your home, it needs time to acclimate. It may lose leaves around bottom of the stalk during this period.
Fiddle figs don’t appreciate dry conditions, either in the air or the soil. It’s critical you water it as soon as you notice that the first 3 to 4 inches of soil are dry.
There are two major reasons I’ve observed of why these plants may lose leaves. They are:
- When you get home from the store, put your fiddle leaf fig in a cool spot. Sure it looks great on there, but your tree disagrees. It likes direct sunlight and wants to be near a big window that gets a lot of it. A lot of the time, people on my fig tree Facebook page share pictures of their babies, and they’re always sitting in front of sunny windows. It’s their special spot!.
- Putting your fig tree next to or right up against a heating or air conditioning vent without meaning to This will surely kill your plant so move it IMMEDIATELY.
If you’ve met all the above conditions and your tree still isn’t thriving, there could be another cause. Let’s look closer at the leaves themselves for clues.
Why are the leaves on my plant turning white?
FAQ
What to do when leaves are turning white?
When your plant doesn’t have enough light to create energy, chlorophyll stays pale and so do the leaves. N. B. Even if your plant doesn’t have green leaves there is chlorophyll in its leaves. Solution: Just move your plant somewhere a bit brighter, e. g. closer to a window.
Why are the leaves on my fig tree turning pale?
If your plant isn’t getting the energy or nutrients it needs, you may notice discoloration of the leaves. They may start to lighten between the veins and turn a lighter green before turning bright yellow. Bugs or root rot can also make leaves turn yellow, which can then cause the leaves to fall off.
Can a fig tree recover from sunburn?
Experiencing sunburn damage on your fig tree’s leaves can be disheartening, but the good news is that your tree still has the potential to recover and it likely will. Plants like fig trees are strong, and the fact that they can recover from sunburn gives worried gardeners hope.