Some of the most popular houseplants have fiddle leaf figs. These plants have big, bright leaves. But these plants are also picky, and many fiddle leaf fig owners have trouble with their plants getting too much water. If you water your fiddle leaf fig too much, it will show stress symptoms like dropping leaves, spots on the leaves, and in the worst cases, root rot.
In this article we’ll cover the causes and signs of an overwatered fiddle leaf fig. We’ll also provide tips on how to fix an overwatered plant and prevent overwatering in the future.
What Causes Overwatering in Fiddle Leaf Figs?
There are a few key causes of overwatering in fiddle leaf figs:
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Watering Too Frequently Fiddle leaf figs only need to be watered once every 7-10 days on average Watering more frequently than this does not allow the soil to dry out sufficiently between waterings.
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Poor Drainage: Fiddle leaf figs need soil that drains well. Dense, heavy soil or a pot without drainage holes can lead to waterlogged roots.
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Excessive Amounts of Water: Giving your fiddle leaf fig large amounts of water at once can cause root issues even if you don’t water frequently. Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
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Low Light Fiddle leaf figs kept in low light conditions are more prone to overwatering issues. Their growth slows, and they take up less water.
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Cool Temperatures: Plants kept in cool spots below 65°F may not need as much water. The cooler conditions slow their growth rate.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig is Overwatered
If you suspect you may be overwatering your fiddle leaf fig, look for these common signs:
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Wet or Soggy Soil: Stick your finger into the soil. If it feels wet 1-2 days after watering, the plant is getting too much water.
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Leaves that are soft or loose: Fiddle leaf fig leaves should feel firm if they are healthy. Mushy or drooping leaves can mean overwatering.
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Wilting: Fiddle leaf figs wilt when they don’t get enough water, but they can also wilt from too much water if the roots are hurt.
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Leaf Spotting and Dropping: Small brown spots on the leaves are a sign of overwatering. The spots may spread, and leaves may yellow and drop.
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This fuzzy, white growth on the soil looks like cotton. It’s mold, which loves the damp conditions of pots that are too wet.
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Rotten Smell: An unpleasant, rotten odor from the potting mix or plant is a sign of root rot and decay.
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Slow Growth: Overwatered fiddle leaf figs devote energy to surviving rather than growth. You’ll see less new leaves.
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Root Rot: Brown, mushy roots that feel hollow or break away easily are caused by persistent overwatering. This can kill the plant.
How to Fix an Overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
If you catch overwatering early, it’s often possible to save an overwatered fiddle leaf fig. Here are some tips:
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Allow the Plant to Dry Out: Stop watering and allow the potting mix to dry completely. You can even remove it from the pot to speed drying.
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Trim Damaged Growth: Prune off any leaves or roots that are dead, yellowed, or rotting to prevent decay from spreading.
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Repot in Fresh, Dry Mix: Repot in a container with drainage holes using fresh, dry potting mix to give the plant a new start.
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Move to a Sunny Spot: Place the fiddle leaf fig in a warm, sunny, breezy location to encourage drying out and limit mold growth.
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Treat Root Rot: Use a fungicide drench to kill root rot pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective for mild cases.
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Remove Excess Water: Pour out any water pooled in the saucer after watering. Consider using gravel or pebbles to prevent standing water.
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Adjust Your Watering: Once recovered, create a new watering schedule based on your plant’s needs and only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
How to Prevent Overwatering
Once you get your overwatered fiddle leaf fig back on track, keeping it healthy means taking steps to prevent overwatering in the future:
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Choose a Quick-Draining Soil: Use a potting mix specifically for fiddle leaf figs or amend regular mix with perlite for drainage.
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Water Less Frequently: Wait until the top several inches of soil are dry before watering again. This is usually every 7-14 days.
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Water Thoroughly: When you do water, pour enough so that some drains from the pot’s bottom. This ensures the whole root zone is hydrated.
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Check Before Watering: Stick your finger in the soil to gauge moisture rather than watering on a set schedule.
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Don’t Let It Sit in Water: Always dump out any water in the saucer so the plant isn’t taking up excess moisture.
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Give it Bright Light: Ensure your fiddle leaf fig gets several hours of indirect sunlight or bright daylight each day.
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Maintain Warmth: Keep your fiddle leaf fig in temperatures above 65°F for healthy growth and water intake.
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Increase Air Circulation: Use a small fan to keep air moving around the plant. Stagnant air increases humidity.
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Watch for Signs: Check for any signs of overwatering like leaf spotting, mold, or smell regularly so you can adjust care.
Putting it All Together
While it might seem counterintuitive, it is possible to overwater even a drought-tolerant plant like the fiddle leaf fig. Stay vigilant for the signs of overwatering like soggy soil, wilting, leaf damage, and foul smells from the pot. Catching the issue early makes it more likely you can revive your plant.
Prevention is also key. Choose a well-draining potting mix, water only when the top few inches of soil have dried out, and ensure the plant gets plenty of light. Maintain these habits, and your fiddle leaf fig will thrive for years to come!
Symptoms of an overwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig
A telltale sign of too much water and/or root rot in Fiddle Leaf Figs is brown spots near the center of the leaves, as well as around the edges. Multiple yellow almost always means too much water.
Overwatered Fiddles will also show a general browning, with tiny dark spots or shady areas, that can spread quickly from one leaf to another over the course of a week.
As mentioned above, you may also notice that your plant drops its bottom leaves first. That could be a sign of root rot, since plants first shed their old leaves to protect their new growth.
If you’re still not sure, use a moisture meter to check how much water is in the roots of your plant.
Symptoms of a dry Fiddle Leaf Fig
Determining if your Fiddle is underwatered or overwatered requires a bit of intuition, but chronically dry Fiddles do show a few kew differences from overwatered ones, and one is curled leaves.
Another way to tell your plant is underwatered is noticing where the brown spots lie. Oftentimes, brown spots on a dry Fiddle will show up on the edge of the leaf, versus in the middle near the “veins”. The brown spots will also often appear all over the plant, from top to bottom, whereas root rot usually starts to affect only the bottom leaves first.
Lastly, and this is likely the most important thing, your dry fiddle leaf fig’s leaves may look healthy in other ways. On the other hand, a plant with root rot will have leaves that are yellow, droopy, or “spotted.” Furthermore, while both cases will show leaf drop, usually overwatered Fiddles drop their bottom leaves first, whereas a dry Fiddle will drop leaves from anywhere on the plant.
THIS is What Happens When You ERRATICALLY Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
FAQ
How do you fix an overwatered fiddle leaf fig?
Luckily, the cure is simple and doesn’t cost much: spray the plant all over with a mixture of half water and half isopropyl alcohol. Be sure and wet the tops and bottoms of the leaves and the stems. Don’t spray the soil, though.
What does an overwatered fig look like?
Signs That Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Has Root Rot: If your plant has too much water and not enough sunlight, it will start to get brown spots in the middle and edges of the leaves. You may also see a yellowing of the leaves before they fall off.
Do fiddle leaf figs like to dry out between watering?
Fiddle leaf fig trees like it when they don’t get wet for a while. They need a lot of water to stay healthy, but too much water will kill them. Check the tree regularly and do not water if the top two-inches of soil are still moist from the previous watering.