Fiddle Leaf Figs (FLFs) often develop small, reddish-purple spots on their leaves. While these specks can be alarming, they are generally a sign of environmental stress rather than a fatal disease. This discoloration is the plant’s physical reaction to an imbalance in its care routine, usually related to inconsistent watering. Understanding the cause and making adjustments will ensure the plant continues to thrive and produce healthy new growth.
Understanding Edema: The Primary Cause of Purple Spots
The purple or reddish-brown spotting seen on Fiddle Leaf Figs is edema, which is water retention in the leaf cells. This occurs when the root system absorbs water faster than the leaves can release it through transpiration. This imbalance causes excess internal pressure, known as turgor pressure, to build up within the plant’s vascular system.
The delicate, newly formed cells in young leaves are particularly susceptible to this pressure spike. When the pressure becomes too great, the thin cell walls rupture, causing permanent damage. These damaged, collapsed cells appear visually as small, scattered, dark red or purple spots.
Edema spots are most visible on new leaves because older leaves have thicker, more rigid cell walls that can withstand the increased pressure. The physical damage is permanent, though the spots may fade slightly as the leaf matures. Edema indicates the plant is taking up water inconsistently or too quickly, often following a period of dry soil.
Differentiating Spotting: When to Worry
While edema is the most frequent cause of purple or reddish spots, it is important to distinguish this issue from more serious problems. Edema spots are typically small, scattered specks, usually less than 3 millimeters across, and appear primarily on new foliage. They do not spread across the leaf surface or transfer to other leaves.
Fungal or bacterial leaf spot infections present with different visual characteristics. These infections manifest as larger, dark brown or black lesions that often have a soft, wet, or yellow-haloed appearance. Such spots tend to appear on older, lower leaves first and rapidly increase in size or quantity if left untreated.
Pest infestations, such as spider mites, cause stippling—tiny pale or yellow dots where the insect has sucked the chlorophyll from the leaf. Edema spots are distinct because they are pigmented red or purple and may appear slightly raised or corky to the touch. If the spotting is exclusively reddish-purple and confined to new growth, the diagnosis remains edema.
Correcting Water Practices and Environment
Resolving edema requires establishing a consistent watering routine to address the internal pressure imbalance. The most effective strategy is to allow the top two to three inches of soil to dry out completely before watering the plant again. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water flows freely from the drainage holes.
Allowing the soil to dry adequately prevents the rapid, excessive water uptake that triggers cell rupture. Never let the plant sit in collected saucer water, as this suffocates the roots and promotes edema and root rot. The potting mix should be light and porous, allowing for quick passage of excess moisture.
Environmental factors also prevent future edema, particularly light and temperature. Placing the Fiddle Leaf Fig in bright, indirect light helps the leaves transpire water more efficiently. Increased light encourages the leaf pores to remain open, aiding in moisture release and reducing pressure buildup. Maintaining a stable, warm temperature and avoiding cold drafts will also support steady transpiration and limit new purple spots.