Diagnosing and Treating Spots on Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle leaf figs (Ficus lyrata) are stunning indoor trees, but they can develop troubling leaf spots. A plant owner recently shared photos of small black spots that resemble soot and larger brown spots along leaf edges, suspecting overwatering after a period of personal loss. The plant sits in a decorative pot with marbles for drainage, but the soil remained wet.

Key Care Requirements

Light: Place your fiddle leaf fig within 4 feet of a sunny, uncovered window. Insufficient light is a primary cause of leaf spotting.

Watering: Water thoroughly only when the top half-inch of soil feels dry. Allow excess water to drain completely; never let the pot sit in standing water.

Potting: Avoid repotting unless absolutely necessary. Excess soil retains moisture and leads to root rot. If already repotted, be extra cautious with watering.

Water Quality: If tap water is hard, use filtered or distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.

Diagnosing the Spots

Leaf spots on fiddle leaf figs are often a general stress response to:

• Inadequate light
• Overwatering or underwatering
• Root rot from poor drainage

Spots limited to older, lower leaves are common. However, widespread spotting on new growth signals a care issue.

Action Plan

1. Move the plant directly in front of the brightest window.
2. Check soil moisture: allow the top inch to dry before watering.
3. Ensure the decorative pot has no standing water.
4. Remove severely affected leaves if desired; they won't recover.
5. Monitor for new growth – proper care should reduce future spotting.

Photos provided show the plant and its potting situation. The expert advises that with correct light and watering, the plant should stabilize.