These 6 Big Mistake Are Why Your Fiddleleaf Fig Keeps Dying

Remember the day you came home with your fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata), eager to help the little tree mature into a gorgeous specimen and focal point for your interior décor? Are you now regretting that decision because no matter what you do, it just hasn’t thrived the way you’d hoped?

If so, you’re far from alone! The truth is that -- when it comes to likes and dislikes -- a fiddleleaf fig -- also known as the banjo or lyre-leaved fig -- is as temperamental as the most finicky of cats. But don’t despair!

As long as there’s life in your tree, there’s hope. We’ll show you how to avoid the most common fiddleleaf-care problems!

Mistake #1: You’re Using the Wrong Pot

The chances are your fiddleleaf fig will be coming home in a plastic grower’s pot. Replace it with a clay/earthenware container that lets the potting mix “breathe.” Make sure it’s no more than 2 inches wider at the lip then the existing pot, and make absolutely sure it has at least one drainage hole in the base.

Using a pot without a drainage hole dooms your lyre-leaved fig to a slow death by drowning! And keeping it close in size to the grower’s pot lets the roots feel “snug.” They’ll thank you for it!

Mistake # 2: You’re Using the Wrong Potting Medium

Having the right pot won’t matter unless you fill it with the right potting medium. And once again, drainage is key. A sand-based, commercial palm/cactus mix allows great drainage, never clumps and won’t smother the roots.

To repot your banjo fig:

  1. Layer your new pot’s base with 1 ½- to 2 inches of coarse gravel, It’s available at most garden stores. The gravel prevents the potting mix from draining away during watering

  2. Lift your tree from its original container, gently untangle the root ball and center it on the gravel. Pour the potting mix slowly around the sides of the new pot. 

  3. Tamp the mix down several times as you add it. Stop filling about ½ inch from the rim to leave room for watering.

Mistake #3: Your Tree’s In the Wrong Spot

The trick to keeping any plant happy indoors is to mimic its natural growing conditions as closely as possible. As a native of Western Africa, your fiddleleaf fig loves a warm, humid spot with plenty of bright, indirect light.

Think a south- or west-facing window away from hot or cold drafts. A fiddleleaf that’s very unhappy with its location will start to shed it leaves.

If that happens, reposition it immediately. If you must skimp on light, expect a spindly tree.urn.

Wherever you put it, have a humidifier nearby. Or spritz it with a spray bottle of water two or three times a week when the sun is strong enough to dry it quickly.

Finally, be sure to rotate the tree one-quarter turn every week. Otherwise, it will lean toward its light source.

Mistake #4: Your Banjo Fig Has Root Rot

If your banjo fig’s leaves are spotted with crusty brown blotches, nasty root rot fungus is the likely culprit. The roots are drowning and you need to act quickly.

Lift the tree from its pot and gently remove the potting mix. Trim off the mushy parts of the root ball.

Disinfect the inside of the pot with a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water. Replace the tree and refill the pot with fresh potting mix.

Mistake #5: You’re Overwatering

What’s the best way to water so root rot doesn’t return?

Wait until the top 3 inches of potting mix are completely dry. To check, simply insert a pencil 3 inches deep into the surface. If damp mix clings to the pencil, try again in 24 hours.

To give the entire rootball a drink, fill a tub with enough lukewarm water to cover the lower half of your tree’s container. Set the tree in the tub and leave it overnight. (For a large banjo fig, this may require two people.)

The potting mix will soak up enough water to saturate the entire rootball -- and your tree will love the extra humidity!

Mistake #6: Lyre-Leaved Figs Needs Regular Cleaning

Your fig’s leaves are yellowing and dropping from their stems because you haven’t been keeping them clean! Their green color comes from chlorophyll. It lets them absorb sunlight and make food.

When dust blocks the sun, the leaves stop making chlorophyll. They turn yellow and your tree begins to starve.

Control dust by wiping the leaves every three or four days with a soft, clean microfiber towel. While you’re at it, check for dry potting mix or insect infestations.

The bottom line?

Fiddleleaf fig trees are finicky! They can’t handle:

  • drafts 

  • overly wet or dry soil

  • dusty leaves 

  • low humidity

  • the wrong amount of sun 

And when they do get ideal growing conditions, what happens? They grow too large to live as indoor plants!

If you’re rethinking the wisdom of trying to care for your Fiddleleaf, Autograph Foliages can help! Simply replace your temperamental tree with one of our amazingly lifelike artificial ones.

Our Artificial Fiddle Leaf trees stand from 3 feet to 7 feet tall, with single or multiple natural-wood trunks.  They ship potted in a black weighted base for easy install.  Add your own perfect decorative planter.  Artificial Fiddle Leaf trees are available in regular material or Inherent Fire Retardant material. Autograph can custom-build your own Fiddle Leaf tree in sizes from 5 ft to 20 ft. tall with our premium quality artificial Fiddle Leaf branchesconstructed with strong wire, quality resin stems, and fabric leaves in regular or FireSafe material.  Fiddle Leaf branches are available in 30 inch or 34 inch sizes.  Fiddle Leaf trees are popular faux decor trees for commercial plantscape applications including large atriums, indoor shopping malls, restaurants, bars, hair salons, corporate office buildings, and more.  I

And best of all, you can set them down anywhere and walk away. They’ll stay perfectly lush, glossy and green without taking up a minute of your time!

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