The fiddle leaf fig tree has become a houseplant among plant lovers. They create stunning pieces for any home and are renowned for their lovely, unique, and enormous green leaves.
The fiddle leaf fig tree is a synthetic, popular, and expensive houseplant. People often wonder why fiddle leaf figs are expensive. With a well-established reputation that is much adored and in high demand, It is a sensitive plant that will curl when affected by man, nature, or pests.
What Causes Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Curling?
Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves require various diverse attention that must be met. These requirements include; Light, additional nutrients, good soil, and water are a few examples. If these are not met Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves curl.
1. High-Temperature Condition
In the Fiddle Leaf, humid climates, Tropical plants like warm, which is what fig prefers. On the other hand, if the environment around your plant is excessively hot, the leaves may curl.
Fiddle Leaf Figs are susceptible to high-temperature exposure, which can force the leaflets to wilt, become yellow and brown, and end up dropping off.
Solutions
The ideal temperature range for fiddle leaf figs is between 65 and 75 degrees.
Moving your fiddle leave fig to a cooler or shadier area will help you ensure that it isn’t in direct sun.
Because the direct sun can cause the leaves to twist.
2. Light
Extremely demanding are fiddle leaf figs. They require the correct quantity of sun intensity for optimum plant growth, and long hours of light are ideal for fiddle leaf figs. As a result, they require at least 6-7 sunshine hours each day to stay healthy.
They will only be able to regenerate if they receive enough light. As a result, leaves may curl because they won’t receive enough nourishment.
As a result, if your fiddle leaf fig is exposed to high temperatures, the leaves will become burnt and curl. A room with plenty of light for most of the day should do the trick.
Solutions
Try to place your plant so it gets an abundance of bright, circular sun.
Place your sting Plant in the designated position. But only count on its leaves to unfold; your fiddle leaf fig may need some time to fit into its new surroundings.
3. Water Quality
The ideal pH for optimum growth is 6.5, the pH number found in rainwater and bottled spring water. Because it doesn’t carry nutrients as effectively as water with the proper pH value, you might find that pure water or regular tap water stunts your plant’s growth or even causes the leaves to wrinkle and curl.
Similarly, some water may be highly Mineralized, and mineral content in hard water is higher than in soft water.
Water should be lukewarm or at room temperature when watering plants because cold water might shock them. These minerals can trigger the soil to become too salty and absorb vital nutrients, which will cause the leaves to curl.
Solutions
Water the fiddle leaf fig daily with rainwater if possible. The water that your plant would’ve had access to its natural environment is most accurately represented by this water.
Use distilled or filtered water if you can’t access rainfall. You may conserve rainwater and use it once a week because it contains fewer minerals and pollutants than tap water. Instead, you should use spring water. But the cost might be a little high.
4. Lack of Nutrition
Fiddle leaf figs prefer a combination of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Through photosynthesis, they transform essential nutrients into sugars they consume A lack of nutrients can be brought on by a lack of nutrients within the soil, damaged stems that cannot absorb nutrients, or an inadequate amount of sunlight that prevents the plant from producing its food.
Solutions
Fertilize your plants frequently with a 3:2:1 fertilizer, at minimum once every one to two weeks.
For most of the day, ensure the Fiddle Leaf Fig gets a lot of bright sunshine to promote photosynthesis.
Refrain from over-watering to prevent root rot. Nutrients cannot be taken from the soil by rotten roots and transferred to the leaves.
5. Root Rot From Over Watering
Root rot develops when roots are left in moist soil for an extended period.
Because the water can’t escape your pot and the roots must remain wet, poor drainage can lead to over-watering and root rot.
As a result, the roots won’t be able to draw water and nutrients into the soil, and the plant will suffer from a lack of these essential elements, which will cause the leaves to curl.
Solutions
- Fiddle Leaf Figs should only be watered once the soil has dried.
- Ensure that the pot has numerous sizeable drainage holes.
- If you want to know whether the soil needs watering, use a water meter.
6. Exposure To Too Much Or Too Little Light
Even while fiddle leaf figs benefit from lots of light, overexposing them can become an issue.
Many hours of bright, indirect sunshine is excellent for these plants. They may have difficulty in direct sunlight.
A Fiddle Leaf Fig similarly lacks sufficient sunlight to use in the process of photosynthesis if it does not receive enough light. Therefore, the lack of sunlight will cause leaves to curl due to inadequate light.
Solutions
Try to place your plant so that it gets plenty of sunlight or indirect sunlight.
Use solar shades on windows to shield the Fiddle Leaf Fig if you are still concerned that it is receiving too much direct sunshine.
7. Soil Type
Fiddle Leaf Figs require light, well-drained soil they may have issues with root aeration (their roots can’t breathe!)
Poor soil can also promote issues with bacterial or fungal growth, salt or chemical buildup, and other issues.
Solutions
Pick a potting mix that claims to drain well when potting medium your fiddle leaf fig. Instead of just soil, layer the container with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of gravel before adding the soil. Drainage will benefit from this.
8. Pests
A Fiddle Leaf Fig can become infested by various common pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale insects, etc.
A Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves can turn brown, red, or yellow due to pests. They may also result in the leaves curling, falling off, and changing shape.
Other typical signs of pests include:
- Tarry leaves
- Webbing-covered leaves
- The leaves have a white, powdery substance.
Solutions
You can take a few steps to eliminate pests if you believe the fiddle leaf fig contains them.
Start by attempting to hand-pick the pests out. To get rid of aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and scale, use a cotton swab or Q-tip coated in rubbing alcohol.
You can also apply soap, neem oil, or insecticide to get rid of bugs.
Neem oil is an organic remedy that won’t damage your plant.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of insecticidal soap with a cup of water.
- Spray the remedy on the infected area to kill all the bugs.
It would be best if you reapplied the treatment every few days until the bugs are gone. You should use neem oil by combining one teaspoon with one cup of water. To eliminate all the pests, squirt the solution onto the affected area. Additionally, until these pests are gone, it is a must to apply neem oil again every few days.
9. Transplant Shock
Fig leaves could begin to curl. It happens when a plant gets transported from one place to another without having time to adapt to its new habitat.
This may occur if you move your plant to a different spot in your house or report it.
The following are additional signs of transplant shock:
- Leaf fall
- Weakened leaves
- Colored leaves
- Slower growth.
Solutions
Give the Fiddle Leaf Fig some time to get used to its new surroundings if you suspect it’s suffering from transplant shock. Your plant may experience stress due to transplant shock, so it’s crucial to remain patient and offer it the time it requires to recuperate.
You can take the following actions to aid your plant in overcoming transplant shock:
- Ensure the soil is hydrated but not damp by giving your plant regular water.
- Choose a spot for your plant where it will get plenty of bright indirect light.
- Before your plant’s complete recovery from transplant shock, do not fertilize it.
How to Stop the Curling of Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves
Let’s look at how to stop Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves from curling in the first place now that you know some of the most typical causes of this phenomenon.
Here are some suggestions to bear in mind:
- Select the Proper Potting Mix
- Properly water your plant.
- Choose The Right Spot For Your Plant
- Don’t Change The Temperature
Taking care of your Fiddle Leaf Fig is the best way to keep it healthy without curls. Remember to fix curling issues on time to avoid total damage to the plant.