Why Are My Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Curling? [4 Main Reasons]

Ficus lyrata is a flowering plant of the Moraceae mulberry and fig families. Ficus lyrata is commonly known as fiddle-leaf figs.

Another reason fellow leaf figs are so common and often so expensive is that they are more significant than conventional home plants. All of them always dream in their kitchens, bedrooms, and dining rooms of roses, succulents, and other tiny plants.

So, let’s start with the question- Why Are My Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Curling? 

Firstly, if your fiddle plant lacks nutrients, this condition will happen. If you don’t water the plant well, you can still see the curling leaves. Another cause could be inadequate lighting and temperature. Finally, insects can cause curling leaves.

Now, we are just warming up-. 

You have to get to the root of the problem to support the plant. That is why with its potential solution, we have clarified every reason.

Therefore, please read along if you want to save your plant!

4 Reasons Why Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Are Curling? [Along with Solutions]

It is deceiving, and it is disappointing to see your precious plant’s pain mainly because there is probably a lack of care behind this.

Yup, curly leaves start to appear on your plant If the plant is not adequately cared for. The reason your plant is now sick is your stupid mistakes! But you should repair that! 

1. Nutrient Deficiency 

Now, lack of nutrients is the first reason why the plant has curly leaves. 

Fiddle leaf Figs need a blend of healthy nutrition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Therefore, if there’s a deficiency in one of the nutrients-

Nutrients that are not present in the soil can cause a lack of nutrition. And this will lead to the curly leaves. 

So, if a plant lacks this nutrient-

They’ll stop growing and start curling their leaves. Moreover, if you don’t make a quicker move, they will just die.

How do you know that phosphorous deficiency is the problem?

Well, a soil test or an inspection is possible. You or a soil laboratory will do this. Use a soil test kit if you’d like to do the test.

Only read the package instructions and test your ground. In this tool, you will know in no time how much nutrient is missing.

Solution 

To be frank, turning the situation back to normal is not that difficult. Follow the instructions, thus.

Remove the leaves concerned first. We recommend that the leaves be cut where their stalks begin. This prevents damage to the tissues of the plant.

After the curly leaves have been discarded, Take a phosphorus-rich fertilizer for yourself. Two fertilizers are to be used. It is possible to choose either a bone meal or phosphate.

2. Over or Underwatering

Over or under-watering to any plant can cause devastating results. As all plants need watering, as it’s the owner, you should have that in mind when, how, and how much you have to water your plant.

So, how much water do Fiddle Leaf Fig plants need? 

The easiest way to do it is to water like clockwork for your plant’s wellbeing and never let it dry out so that you can see shrinkage in the soil, which is taking the soil off the sides of your pot.

You don’t have to provide enough water from your plant.

Water your plant the same quantity every week to keep things easy.

Water 1 cup per week in Fiddle Leaf Fig plants less than 2 feet from the soil to the highest leaves. Water with 2 cups of water a week for plants more significant than 2 feet tall.

Water regularly and check your plant for adequate humidity once a week.

You should try misting or use a humidifier near your plant every one to three days.

Solution

Whether you’ve under or overwatered the plant. If the soil is pretty wet, you’ve overwatered the plant. And it wasn’t able to absorb all of it. 

So, lift the plant up and put it into another container or pot. The pot should have at least 3-4 drainage holes. After replanting, be a bit patient. Because the water needs to be drained. 

Once you’re sure, enough water has been drained, test the soil. Use a moisture meter to know whether the soil is moist or not. If it is, you can start watering again. 

Now, if you touch the soil and it’s scorched. That means you haven’t provided enough water. And the poor plant is begging for some!

Therefore, quickly start providing water to your Fiddle Leaf Fig plant. Water till you see it coming out of the pot’s drainage holes. Then let the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant absorb the water through its roots. 

Follow a consistent irrigation plan. Fiddle leaf figs usually are watered once a week or if the earth’s top pulse is dry. To combat dry air, use a moisturizer in the region, or damp the leaves in the surrounding air every 1-3 days to raise the moisture content.

3. Insufficient Lighting & Wrong Temperature

Incorrect lighting and temperature can literally kill your plant with time. These poor living conditions are responsible for curly leaves. Now, Fiddle Leaf Fig plants thrive in bright places. This plant needs to be provided sunlight for 6-7 hours a day.

 Fiddle Leaf Figs favor bright sunspaces. Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can cause leaf burn.

Now it’s also essential to check the temperature. At least 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit should be given in the daytime. And at nighttime, 55-60 degrees.

It is, therefore, best to provide illumination by the temperature scale. There is no appreciation of both excess or inadequate lighting and temperature.

Since the leaves are burning so much sun. The plant gets hungry while there is not enough light and temperature. The curly leaves are therefore visible on the plant.

Solution 

It may suffer from root rot due to overwatering if your plant doesn’t get enough light.

If you detect that it’s due to insufficient lighting and temperature, for your comfort, we’ve created a great list of LED grow lights.

Check the temperature of that spot until bringing the plant under the sun. You’re all fine if the temperature suits the perfect one!

4. Infestation of Insects

Perhaps you’re not the only one who likes your fiddle leaf leaves. Insects like mites, pheasants, and mealybugs may choose to have a meal on your favorite plant. 

This ensures that the nutrients your plant requires are taken, and your body and blood are impaired. In brown places and curls, this can be seen.

Solution

The treatment is pretty easy! And that’s using a plant-based pesticide. 

You can solve this problem easily and efficiently if you act quickly. Wash your plant leaves and stem with a warm soapy rag.

The infestation of insects is easy to handle. Use a houseplant neem oil product. The household solution is to put a tablespoon or two of baker’s soda in a spray bottle of water and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil.

Make sure each leaf turns to spray underneath, and note where the leaf meets the stem. Wait two weeks, check again, then, if necessary, repeat the spraying procedure.

FAQs: 

Question: When fig leaves curl, what does it mean?

Answer: The curled leaf is a symptom of the failure to fulfill tree growth requirements.

Question: How can I stop curling my leaves?

Answer: Often allow a top inch or two (approx. 2.5 to 5 cm) in the soil to dry out to prevent curling leaves from too soggy soils. Using drainage pits at all times.

Question: How do I know if I need water for my fiddle leaf fig?

Answer: The best way to know if your Fiddle Leaf needs water is to look at the blade after you have realized the few inches of soil have dried.

Take Away

Above, we have discussed the reasons, and these are the most common and primarily occurring reasons. As you have read through the whole article-

So, where did you mess up? 

Share your answers and thoughts with us by leaving a comment. Good luck saving your precious Fiddle Leaf Fig plant!