Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Stick your finger 5 centimeters into the soil to check for moisture.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
- Lift the pot to see if water is trapped in the saucer.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels soggy and the leaves turn yellow or brown starting from the bottom.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 5 centimeters of soil dry out completely. If the soil stays wet for more than two weeks, repot the plant into fresh, well draining soil and trim away any black, mushy roots.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools at the bottom of the pot or the pot lacks drainage holes.
What to do: Ensure your pot has holes at the bottom to let excess water escape. Place the pot on a saucer, but never let the plant sit in the drained water for more than an hour.
Find out what's wrong with your fiddle leaf 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the stem feels soft or mushy near the base, the rot may have spread too far to save the plant. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the top few centimeters of soil are dry before watering again. Use a pot with drainage holes and a chunky, well draining soil mix.
Fiddle Leaf Fig: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fiddle leaf 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
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots, repot in fresh soil, and adjust your watering schedule.
- How often should I water?
- Water every 7 to 14 days, but only when the top few centimeters of soil are dry. Never follow a strict calendar without checking the soil first.
More problems with Fiddle Leaf Fig
- How do I get rid of pests on my Fiddle Leaf Fig?
- Why is my Fiddle Leaf Fig dropping its leaves?
- Why are my Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Fiddle Leaf Fig drooping?
- Why does my Fiddle Leaf Fig have spots?
- Why are my Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Fiddle Leaf Fig growing so leggy?
- Why are my Fiddle Leaf Fig leaves curling?
Back to the Fiddle Leaf Fig guide
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.