Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look at the underside of the leaves for rust spots.
- Check if the spots are on the side of the plant facing the sun.
- Clear away fallen leaves from the base of the tree.
Likely causes
Fig Rust
Most likelyHow to tell: Small, reddish brown spots appear on the leaves. Eventually, the leaves may turn yellow and drop off early.
What to do: Remove and destroy any infected leaves to stop the fungus from spreading. Improve air circulation around the tree and avoid getting water on the leaves when you irrigate.
Sunburn
PossibleHow to tell: Bleached or scorched spots appear on leaves that were suddenly moved into harsh, direct sun. This happens if the plant was not hardened off.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with partial shade for a week. Gradually introduce it to full sun over 10 to 14 days.
Find out what's wrong with your fig
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If the spots are covering most of the foliage and causing heavy leaf drop, the tree is under stress. A few spots are manageable.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the tree rather than overhead to keep the leaves dry.
Fig: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fig and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will fig rust kill my tree?
- It rarely kills a mature tree, but it can weaken it and reduce fruit production. Keep the area clean to minimize the impact.
- Should I use a fungicide?
- Fungicides are rarely necessary for home gardeners. Good sanitation and proper watering usually solve the problem.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Fig
- Why are my common fig's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my common fig dropping its leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my Ficus carica?
- Why is my fig tree growing so tall and thin?
- Why are my fig tree's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my fig tree drooping?
- How do I fix root rot on my fig tree?
- Why are my fig tree leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.