The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is prized for its large, violin-shaped foliage, but this tropical tree, native to western Africa, is notoriously sensitive to its surroundings. Leaf curling is a common, non-specific sign that the plant is experiencing environmental stress and attempting to conserve moisture or protect itself. Pinpointing the exact cause requires careful observation of the leaf’s appearance and the plant’s immediate environment.
Curling Caused by Hydration Imbalances
The most frequent cause of leaf stress in Fiddle Leaf Figs is directly related to the consistency of soil moisture, which can be either too little or too much. When the plant is underwatered, it enters a self-preservation mode to prevent the loss of remaining internal moisture. This causes the leaves to physically curl inward, forming a distinct “taco” shape, which reduces the surface area exposed to the air and slows transpiration. If the soil is bone dry several inches down, the solution is a thorough soaking until water flows freely from the drainage holes.
Conversely, overwatering causes stress by drowning the root system, which leads to root rot. When the soil remains perpetually soggy, the roots are deprived of the oxygen necessary for their function, causing them to decay and become soft and mushy. Damaged roots cannot effectively transport water and nutrients to the leaves, mimicking the symptoms of dehydration. This often results in leaves that curl downward or invert, sometimes accompanied by brown spots near the center of the leaf, and requires immediate action like checking the roots, trimming away any diseased portions, and repotting in fresh, well-draining soil.
Curling Caused by Atmospheric Stress
Beyond the soil, the air surrounding the Fiddle Leaf Fig presents several challenges. As a tropical species, the plant thrives in high humidity. Low indoor humidity—especially during winter when central heating is active—causes moisture to be pulled from the large leaves. This atmospheric drying prompts the leaf margins to curl inward and often turn brown. Placing a humidifier nearby or using a pebble tray can help maintain the preferred humidity range, ideally above 40%.
The plant is also highly sensitive to sudden or sustained temperature fluctuations, which can trigger an immediate stress response. Positioning the plant near a cold, drafty window or next to a hot air vent exposes it to quick shifts that cause shock, leading to leaf curling and sometimes leaf drop. Maintaining a consistent temperature between 60°F and 90°F is necessary for the plant’s well-being.
Light intensity is another external factor. The plant prefers bright, indirect light. When exposed to intense, direct afternoon sun, the leaves may curl inward as a protective mechanism to shield the surface from scorching and excessive water loss. Conversely, if the plant is placed in a spot with extremely low light, the new leaves may grow in a weak, distorted, or curled shape. The remedy for light-induced curling is relocating the plant to a spot with filtered light or moving it closer to a window.
Curling Caused by Biological Threats
In some cases, curling is a result of sap-sucking pests that feed directly on the leaf tissue. The two most common culprits are spider mites and thrips, which damage the leaves and cause them to become deformed or curl as a reaction to the injury. Spider mites are difficult to see, but their presence is often betrayed by fine, delicate webbing found between the stems and leaves, or by tiny yellow or white stippling marks on the leaf surface where they have pierced the cells.
Thrips are minute, slender insects that scrape the leaf surface to feed on the plant’s contents, leading to distorted new growth and silvery scars on the foliage. For a mild infestation, physically rinsing the plant’s leaves with a strong stream of water can dislodge many of the pests. More persistent infestations can be treated with a horticultural oil, such as neem oil, or an insecticidal soap. Apply the treatment thoroughly to all leaf surfaces, especially the undersides, and repeat every few days for several weeks to break the pest life cycle.