Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Not Growing? 15 Common Causes

Fiddle leaf fig is one of the favorite indoor plants of many people. However, this plant is not easy to care for. So, why is my fiddle leaf fig not growing?

Irregular watering, poor drainage, inadequate natural light, a lack of humidity, and insect infestations are some reasons why the fiddle leaf fig stopped growing. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make your plant more favorable and aid in the growth of your fiddle leaf.

For more information, keep reading!

Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Not Growing?

The development of a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus Lyrata) may be hampered by poor-draining soil, inconsistent watering, inadequate fertilizer, pests and diseases, inadequate direct sunlight, a lack of humidity, and stress.

Fiddle leaf figs’ general surroundings and growth circumstances are often to blame when they fail to produce new leaves. Fortunately, most of these problems are manageable and straightforward to fix.

Since each of these problems can potentially prevent your fiddle leaf from developing, let’s examine each in more depth.

Winter Season

Due to their tropical nature, these plants can experience growth slowdowns during prolonged winters or extremely cold weather.

If you notice that your Fiddle isn’t developing when it’s wintertime, keep in mind that it is a typical plant response. You should start to see fresh expansion as spring approaches since it is collecting its energy.

New Environment

If you’ve just taken your leaf indoors, that’s a very understandable explanation for ‘why isn’t my fiddle leaf fig growing’. Or if the plant has just gone through a change, like relocating or repotting.

Ficus Lyrata leaves are infamous for not enjoying changes. So if you’ve recently taken your plant home or changed its environment, you could see that it takes a little longer for your leaves to become used to their new surroundings.

Poorly-Draining Soil

Although these lovely creatures appreciate dampness and a lot of water, standing in pools of water will impede their development and eventually lead to difficulties. So, it will help if you ensure water flows into the tray once you water the plant.

Additionally, check the soil occasionally with the touch of a finger to ensure it is damp but not soggy. The too-wet ground is clumpy, and black, and may have an unpleasant smell.

Irregular Watering

To grow steadily, plants require water. A dry leaf will not develop naturally. When the upper few inches of the pot are dry, you may know the leaf needs watering. Some sensor meter products ensure precise and quick test results.

Watering intervals might range from once per week to every ten days. Once you do a watering job, it is essential to feed the plant a lot of water until any extra runs out the bottom of the container.

Under-Fertilization

Healthy Ficus Lyrata requires a lot of nutrients from nitrogen-rich soil conditioners. Without it, they can not grow their dark-green, large leaves.

Therefore, in the spring and summer, you can fertilize your houseplant every few weeks. In the fall and winter, reduce the frequency of fertilization.

Pest Infestation

Untreated pest invasions will impede a Ficus’ growth, which is why your leaf fails to produce new leaves.

Look for any evidence of apparent creepy crawlies or tiny holes in your plant’s leaves to help spot pest infestations.

Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be practical ways to repel pests. It’s essential to keep your Ficus lyrata separate from other trees to stop bug invasions from spreading.

Insufficient Light

The most suitable location for your plant is typically near an east-facing room where it may obtain direct sunlight. However, watch out for very intense sunshine.

Your fiddle leaf fig can become sunburned and lose its leaves if exposed to them for an extended time. It will help if you put it in places that receive 6 to 8 hours of light each day, preferably not the harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Lack Of Humidity

The ideal humidity range for Ficus lyrata is between 30 and 65 percent. They get used to warm, humid temperatures because they originally lived in the rainforests.

Your leaf may begin to brown in the margins and fight to produce new leaflets if it doesn’t have access to dampness. You can encourage it by constantly misting your indoor plants or adding a diffuser to the area.

Root Rot

Due to a fungal infection caused by the roots resting in too much moisture, fiddle leaf figs may sometimes have brown blotches. Overwatering and inadequate drainage often cause root rot.

If you do not stop the rot promptly, it spreads to the plant’s leaves, slowing its development and ultimately destroying it. Let the plant dry out for a few weeks if there are just a few brown spots on the leaves. The roots will have enough time to recuperate from the excessive moisture in the soil. However, inspecting the roots for rot will be wise if these brown patches have spread to more than a few locations.

Removing the container and looking at the roots is the best approach to determining if the fiddle leaf fig has root rot. Root rot on fig leaves is present if the roots are mushy, brown, or black. Stop watering the plant immediately, and then put it somewhere dry with enough sunshine so the soil can dry out. However, it is preferable to trim out the impacted roots and repot the plant if the root rot is too severe.

Needs Repotting

When is the right time to repot the fig leaves? It could be time to transfer your fiddle leaf fig to a bigger pot when it starts to appear too big for the one it’s in. The plant will have more area to expand and get taller. It is also beneficial to completely repot the plant, which involves digging out as much dirt as possible from the roots and placing them in brand-new soil.

Instead of using the old soil, which has lost its nutrients, the plant will get new nutrients to grow this way. Every two to three years, most fiddle leaf figs need repotting. Even with fragile plants like fiddle leaf figs, repotting might be scary, but it doesn’t have to be.

Unable to Breathe

The buildup of dirt and dust on leaves often prevents plants from completing photosynthesis. I recommend gently cleaning the leaves every three to four months with room-temperature water.

To keep the plant clean, give it a good shower once every six months. It keeps pests away from the plant and ensures the leaves can absorb and use sunlight more effectively.

Sensitive to Temperature

Your fiddle leaf figs will grow best at temperatures between 60 and 75 °F. In contrast, they struggle in temperatures below 55 °F. The plants may retain heat during the brutal winters by using a humidifier or sprinkling the foliage with lukewarm water.

Keep some heat on throughout the winter and use a humidifier to maintain the proper temperature to help the fiddle fig not grow. During the winter, keep the plant away from windows and avoid exposing it to too many chilly drafts. Additionally, watch out for burning the leaves if you set the plant too close to the fireplace to raise the heat.

Bacterial Infection

New leaves that have a bacterial infection quickly become yellow. The leaves will eventually start to fall. You may remove the afflicted leaves from the plant and repot the plant with new potting soil if less than 50% of the leaves are affected. Ensure the plant receives enough light and that you are not overwatering it.

Pest Infestation

Your fiddle leaf fig may get infected by pests like scales, mealybugs, and spider mites. Infestation with problems is very destructive, inhibits plant development, and even threatens the plant’s life. Your fiddle leaf fig has been affected by pests if the leaves have little holes or web-like formations below them.

To keep pests away from the plants, you may apply insecticides. Use neem oil on your fiddle leaf fig if you’re seeking something organic. Additionally, you may clean the leaves of your healthy fiddle leaf fig with soapy water, which should also deter pests.

Prone To Sunburn

Sunburn is evident if the healthy fiddle leaf fig leaves become pale or yellow and subsequently develop brown patches. If this occurs, move the plant further from the sun to alter its position.

What Do You Not Do If Your Leaves Aren’t Growing?

There are a few typical remedies that I’ve seen people attempt that most likely won’t help your fiddle leaf grow.

Remove the highest-growing bud

Fiddle leaf fig won’t grow if you cut the growing tip back. After pruning, the clipped petiole would no longer produce new growth.

Reposition the plant

It’s wise to leave it alone because fiddle leaves will not want people to move them around. It’ll be able to calm down and establish a routine after all.

How Can You Make Fiddle Leaves Grow Faster?

Here are a few easy pieces of advice that may make a difference in developing your fiddle leaf fig plant.

Ensure it is in a pot that is the right size

Ficus lyrata quickly grows out of its pots due to its rapid growth. Therefore, it is crucial to pot them again whenever they become too big. Always choose good pots for fig leaves for repotting twice as big as the mulch of your plant. Ensure it has enough draining holes in addition to this. Additionally, your vase will distribute wetness more easily if you add a layer of pebbles to the base.

Frequently fertilize

Ficus lyrata puts a lot of work into growing. The ground we buy at plant markets or use in our fields frequently lacks the necessary nutrients to aid their growth.

You can add an azote-rich compost to the soil around your tree to help it thrive and grow more quickly. Use lower amounts of mulch over periods during your leaf’s growing season to prevent stressing your tree or surprising it. Discover the advice you must follow to guarantee that your fiddle leaf fig properly continues to produce strong new leaves.

Conclusion

So, why are my fiddle leaf fig leaves not growing? The common signs of fiddle leaf figs not growing new leaves include irregular watering, poor drainage, inadequate sunlight, not enough light, a lack of humidity, and insect infestations.

Fortunately, as you’ve seen, identifying the potential reason generally boils down to the process of elimination. Thereby, the tree will grow according to your wishes. Once you have resolved the issue, your fiddle leaf fig leaves will return to being their healthy, happy self.