The Basic Root Rot Treatment for an Indoor Potted Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Although people have been adding indoor plants to their homes for a long time, this trend has only skyrocketed after going viral on social media.

Today, nearly 66% of the American population owns at least one indoor planter, and most millennials simultaneously have more than five indoor plants at home. 

However, although an indoor plant can enhance your living space’s overall look, the choice of the planter will play a major role in the impact it makes on its surroundings.

For instance, narrower and relatively congested spaces would look calming and more breathable with the addition of a couple of tiny cactuses, succulents, or wall creepers.

However, placing small planters will not do much for a space’s outlook or atmosphere if you have a large and spacious house. Instead, it would be best if you had a bold addition that can create quite the dramatic statement a wide open and empty space needs.

One such planter that is globally demanded its size, remarkable height, excellent tolerance, and relatively easier care routine is the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree. 

The Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Native to many African countries, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is a one-of-a-kind indoor tree that is both beneficial to the surrounding atmosphere and incredible to look at. 

Known for growing a stunning fifty feet outdoors and nearly ten feet indoors, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is characterized by its large, deep green, violin-shaped glossy leaves decorated with numerous veins running around its surface.

Usually planted in a neutral or white-colored floor-standing vase placed at an empty and well-illuminated corner or center of a space, the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is always selected to function as the focal point of a room.

Known for being nearly impossible to go unnoticed, the widespread canopy and tall height of an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree can do wonders for large homes, hotel lobbies, restaurants, or offices.

Not only does it create quite the drama, but its dark green foliage and deep brown sleek trunk bring a subtle yet powerful wild touch to the entire room while still being undeniably chic and elegant. 

Moreover, apart from its unquestionable beauty and powerful appeal, an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is also demanded across the globe for its high tolerance and ability to withstand unideal external conditions for quite an impressive period.

Hence, if you are someone who cannot provide a planter excessive attention or care due to their preferences or occupational responsibilities, no other indoor plant could be as easy to manage and keep alive as the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree. 

However, although many plant enthusiasts can keep their indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s alive for 30 to 50 years, others helplessly let their plants die, mainly due to root rot. 

Despite being one of the most tolerant indoor trees in the market, a Fiddle Leaf Fig will eventually suffer from root decay and fatal dehydration if its watering requirements are frequently ignored. 

Hence, if you want your masterpiece planter to retain its lush green foliage, towering height, and overall aesthetic appeal, being well-informed about the planter’s unique watering needs and atmospheric requirements is crucial.

Continue reading below to learn all you need to know about your indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s basic care routine and the major cause behind its fatal root rot diseases.

Moreover, the article also highlights the primary root rot treatment one needs to provide their Fiddle Leaf Fig tree as soon as they identify a fungal infection in their plant.

Let’s get started!

An Indoor Potted Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree’s Basic Care Routine

Watering

Although the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is naturally adapted to growing in warm and damp conditions, its water requirements are significantly reduced when planted indoors.

Hence if you have an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, watering it once every five to ten days should be enough, as long as its soil retains moderate amounts of moisture at all times.

As soon as you notice your indoor potted tree’s soil getting too dry, water it even if it’s a little early according to its schedule.

If one fails to pay attention to the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s dry and crusty soil, the leaves lose their pigment, turn yellow, curl inwards, and fall off.

Moreover, if an inexperienced or poorly informed caretaker overwaters the already damp soil of their Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, the chances of root rot increase.

Sunlight

The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree tends to grow the healthiest and fastest when it enjoys at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted indirect sunlight.

Hence, place your deep green indoor tree at a spot under a skylight or a large enough window.

Moreover, since the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s canopy can be quite wide, it is important to rotate the tree’s pot every few days so that all parts of it benefit from the much-needed sunlight exposure.

However, although a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree can be grown outdoors, direct sunlight can damage and completely burn out its leaves. 

Humidity

Since excess watering can be dangerous for an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, monitoring the atmospheric humidity is important.

If the external humidity exceeds 65%, you need to invest in a better ventilation system and water your planter less frequently.

Moreover, if the external humidity is below 30%, water your planter more, invest in a powerful humidifier, and spray your tree’s leaves with water to keep them fresh and well-hydrated.

Temperature

Although the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is a tolerant plant species, extreme temperature fluctuations can affect its growth rate and appearance.

Hence, focus on keeping your lush-green tree away from cold and drafty windows, and also do not place it directly under an air conditioner’s vent.

Pruning

To encourage new leaf growth and keep the tree in a pleasant shape, the dead and damaged leaves of a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree should be pruned as frequently as possible.

Signs Your Indoor Potted Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is Suffering from a Root Rot Disease

• The leaves have lost their glossy texture and are turning yellow
• The tips of the leaves are brown and dried up
• The leaves are dry and curled inwards
• The tree is shedding more leaves than usual
• The tree is unable to remain upright and is drooping sideward

What Causes Root Rot in an Indoor Potted Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree?

As briefly mentioned above, the primary reason leading to a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s root rot is overwatering. This is how it happens:

• No matter if an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is watered beyond its requirements or is placed in an excessively humid environment, the roots of the plant will only absorb the amount of water according to their cell capacity.
• As a result, with no extra water being used up by the plant, all excess moisture will accumulate inside the indoor tree’s pot.
• If nothing is done to drain and dry the excessively damp soil, a medium that invites and harbors fungal growth is created.
• As a result, any airborne fungal spore will take less than a few days to settle on the damp soil, reproduce, and spread to the tree’s roots.
• If fungus manages to grow all over the root’s surface, root rot will begin.
• If most of the roots are decayed and consumed by the growing fungus, the entire tree will suffer from insufficient water intake.
• If such conditions continue for an extended period, the plant will dehydrate and die prematurely.

The Primary Root Rot Treatment for a Fungal Infected Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

If you can notice your indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree displays the signs of root rot, do the following to save it from premature plant death:

• Begin by using a garden shovel to carefully dig the entire plant and its root ball out of the infected soil.
• Since a Fiddle Leaf Fig tree can be large and heavy, you might need additional hands to slide the planter out of its pot.
• Once it is out, place the tree’s root ball under running water, until all the soil and fungal growth are washed away.
• If you can still see some fungus on the root surface, use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove it till no traces of any fungal growth remain.
• Examine the roots and use pruning shears to cut off all the dead and damaged root bits and pieces.
• Use a microfiber cloth to clean the remaining roots, and spray on some water to keep them hydrated during the treatment.
• The second main step of the process is to find another pot with a better drainage system and wider drainage holes.
• Fill the new pot with a highly nutritious and well-drained potting mix, and gently replant the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree’s roots into the soil.
• Use your hands to pat down the soil to remove any air pockets, and use a spray bottle to add moisture.
• Finally, use the pruning shears to cut and remove all dead, curled-up, and faded leaves from your Fiddle Leaf Fig tree to prepare the plant for new growth.
• Moreover, you can also add a natural fungicide to the soil to ensure no further fungal infection endangers the plant.

Final Thoughts

Apart from growing incredibly tall and large, an indoor potted Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is also an excellent air purifier. However, if the tree is watered too frequently, root rot can be expected.

Fortunately, if the signs of plant distress are noticed on time, the rotten roots can be pruned off, and the fungal infection can be contained to prevent premature plant death.

Read more:

• Why Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Lose Leaves, and Can This Recover?
• How to treat Fungal Infection in Fiddle Leaf Fig [Helpful Tips]