Journal/Troubleshooting · 5 min read
Fiddle Leaf Fig Brown Spots: Diagnosis & Treatment
Brown spots on a Fiddle Leaf Fig point to one of four things. Here's how to identify which — and exactly what to do about it.
Quick answer
Brown spots on a Fiddle Leaf Fig usually mean root rot (dark spreading spots), bacterial leaf spot (tan spots with yellow halos), underwatering (crispy edges), or sunburn (pale patches on top). The shape and location tells you which.
Fiddle Leaf Figs are famously dramatic, but their brown spots are actually pretty diagnostic if you know what to look at. Match yours to one of these four patterns.
1. Dark brown spots that spread out from the centre
Root rot from overwatering. Unpot, trim any mushy roots, and repot in fresh, gritty soil. Cut back watering.
2. Small tan spots with yellow halos
Bacterial leaf spot. Remove affected leaves, improve airflow, and avoid getting water on the leaves.
3. Brown crispy edges
Underwatering, low humidity, or salt build-up from tap water. Soak the pot, mist regularly, and flush the soil with distilled water once a month.
4. Pale brown patches on top of the leaf
Sunburn from a sudden move to direct sun. Move it back into bright indirect light and don't remove the leaf — it can still photosynthesise.
Not sure which one you're looking at? Take a close-up photo in PlantMe and get a specific treatment plan for your fig.
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