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Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaf Drop: Light and Watering Check

Fiddle leaf fig dropping leaves after 4–5 months: most commonly insufficient light. Watering when top soil feels dry is correct only if in original pot.

Light Requirement

Ficus lyrata needs to be directly in front of a bright, uncovered window all day. "Near" a window isn't enough.

Watering Nuance

If repotted, wait until soil is dry several inches down. Original pot: dry 1 inch. Overwatering in large pots kills these quickly.

Brown Edges

Can indicate low humidity, inconsistent watering, or fertilizer burn. Address light first—it's the primary driver.

House Plants: Philodendron Yellowing at Base: Adjustment or Overwatering?; Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaf Drop: Light & Water Fixes; Fiddle Leaf Fig Sunburn and Heat Stress Recovery; Rescuing a Fiddle Leaf Fig from Overwatering in Decorative Pot; Fiddle Leaf Fig Repotted in Winter: Damage Control; Fiddle Leaf Fig New Growth Brown: Check Watering and Light; Reviving a Defoliated Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) After Neglect; Fiddle Leaf Fig Odor Mystery: Cat Urine Smell and Remediation; Fiddle Leaf Fig Dropping Leaves After Repotting Root-Bound Plant? Wait for New Growth Before Fertilizing; Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Care: Iconic Statement Plant

Garden Articles

Fiddle Leaf Fig: Why NOT to Repot a Thriving Plant

Fiddle Leaf Fig Brown Edges: Overwatering Once Isn't Root Rot

Fiddle Leaf Fig Root Rot: Drainage and Patience

Fiddle Leaf Fig Care: Light, Watering, and Aerial Roots

Saving a Declining Fiddle Leaf Fig After Purchase

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Lower Leaf Loss: Tree Habit, Not Shrub

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): The Trendy, Large-Leaved Statement Tree

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