Ficus Leaves Turning Brown – Causes and Solutions
Ficus leaves turning brown is a symptom of the tropical plant ficus, which may lead to plants not flowering or even dying. Ficus, also known as fig trees and liquidambars, have been around for centuries. They grow well in conditions that include humidity and high heat. When grown indoors in dry conditions with natural light, it is possible for the leaves on ficus to turn white or brown as they age. If left untreated, the leaves will eventually die because of this drop in moisture levels.
Ficus trees can be identified by the fig-like buds and fruits on the tree. The leaves will also be very similar to fig leaves as they appear lance-shaped with a pointed tip. The upper side of the leaf is a bright green, while the underside is more yellow-green. Ficus can also have male or female flowers that look much like figs and can grow from 4 to 6 inches long. These flowers are typically white and grow in clusters at the end of branches or on tall stems above the leaves. Their leaves tend to get larger as ficus ages, though they stay green in color.
Causes For Ficus Leaves Turning Brown
- Translocation
Ficus are tropical plants and therefore have a natural resistance to cold weather. If they are kept outside in the winter, their leaves may turn brown because of the extreme weather condition. The leaves on a ficus will also turn brown if they are not receiving enough sunlight. Ficus trees need at least three to four hours of sunlight daily. If the tree is placed in an area that does not receive this amount of sunlight or is not watered enough, it will naturally lose its leaves as it tries to preserve its own life and preserve the buds and flowers on its branches. Ficus can also lose their color if they are over-or under-watered.
- Too Much Pruning
Because ficus trees are tropical plants, they may grow taller than what is desired. It can lead to the branches being too close to each other and the loss of sunlight that ficus needs. The result can be the browning of the leaves because of the lack of sunlight. A ficus tree should also never be pruned too much to remain healthy and sustain itself correctly. It is also essential that a ficus tree not be pruned until after its flowering period when no leaves are present on the tree. It will ensure that the leaves will protect the buds and flowers on the tree. - Nutrient Deficiencies
Ficus trees are very tropical plants. They will not naturally be as resistant to germination and growth as a plant from colder climates may be, especially in areas where it is too cold for them to grow. If a ficus tree does not receive enough sunlight, it will stop flowering or create smaller fruits causing them to produce fewer seeds. It can lead to a lack of nutrients for the ficus tree, causing the leaves to turn brown due to low potassium levels and a lack of vitamin D3 production. Ficus trees must receive enough sunlight and nutrients to avoid serious issues with the leaves turning brown. - Overwatering
While ficus trees are tropical plants, they will only ever be able to survive in a specific range of temperatures because their buds and flowers depend on their surroundings for survival. If a ficus tree is overwatered, the buds and flowers on its branches will not get enough sun to live or provide food for themselves. It can lead to the leaves on the tree dying off as they are overwatered and unable to produce food due to a lack of sunlight. It also prevents the tree itself from being able to survive the winter months because it needs to adapt to be able to live through months of having less sunlight. - Insects
Insect damage is another cause of a ficus tree’s leaves turning brown. The most common insects that can damage a ficus are aphids and scale insects, which suck the sap out of the tree’s leaves, buds, and flowers. Aphids, in particular, can also help spread plant diseases from one plant to another, which affects all of their leaves, including many that have not yet turned brown. You can easily remove them from the tree with a soapy water solution or insecticidal soap. Scale insects can also be removed from the leaves by hand but may need to be chemically treated by a professional if the tree is damaged severely by them. - Leaves Color
Leaves on ficus trees are typically green, though they have been known to change color at certain times. During their winter months, they will more likely turn a dull green or brown because of the lack of sunlight they receive. These leaves are also sometimes affected when receiving too much water or sunlight, causing them to turn yellow or white. If the tree is being affected by insects and ficus is not being pruned correctly, this will cause its leaves to turn brown as they infest the tree and weaken it because of the stress. The focus will also experience damage from mildew, which can cause them to turn black. - Poor Light Conditions
If the ficus tree does not receive enough sunlight, it will have a dull green color on the leaves. It could be because of poor light conditions throughout the year or if there is a problem with that particular ficus tree. If insects and other issues stress ficus trees, it can cause them to become unhealthy, causing them to have fewer leaves and having their leaves turn brown due to lack of nutrients. - Transplanting
If a ficus tree is moved from one location to another, its leaves will likely turn brown. It may be too hot, too cold, or receiving too much or little sunlight. It also has to adjust to its new environment, where the temperature or humidity may differ from where it was initially transplanted. If the ficus tree is transplanted into an area where insects are affecting it, it can also cause the leaves on it to turn brown due to the pests’ damage. - Pruning
Ficus trees are tropical plants that develop their leaves through natural sunlight. If the tree does not receive enough of this, then its leaves will turn brown as it attempts to conserve energy. Pruning is done to keep them in shape and prevent them from becoming too top-heavy. However, you should not prune a ficus tree too much as it may cause damage to the tree’s health and growth due to excessive leaf loss.
While ficus trees can turn brown during certain times of the year, they can survive and maintain their healthy color during other times.
Solutions For Preventing Ficus Leaves Turning Brown
- Light Conditions
The best way to prevent a ficus tree from turning brown is to ensure it receives enough sunlight and does not receive too much. If a ficus tree receives enough sunlight, its leaves will stay green and healthy. It is also essential to ensure that the ficus tree is kept at an appropriate temperature so it will survive in the area without any problems. If the ficus tree is too warm or too cold, it should be given an additional light cloth to help raise its temperature and humidity levels. - Watering Levels
The best way to prevent ficus leaves from turning brown is by not overwatering them or over-watering them. Too much water can cause a ficus tree to lose its leaves because the extra moisture on its leaves can cause them to wilt and die off because of the lack of sunlight on them. It will help prevent ficus trees from turning brown if the tree is watered using a soapy solution. The soapy solution will help flush out any pests on the tree, which you can remove with a spray or insecticidal soap, both of which should be sprayed onto the tree regularly to prevent damage. If a ficus tree is being damaged by insects and is not being pruned correctly or is not getting enough sunlight, it should not be overwatered. - Proper Pruning
Pruning ficus trees can help them remain healthy and prevent them from turning brown, allowing them enough sunlight and proper water levels throughout the year. They should be kept healthy by pruning branches too low to the ground and branches that have shading on them. It is also important to prune them so they can get the proper amount of sunlight through. They should be kept on a slightly elevated branch base to receive enough sunlight still. - Insect Control
If a ficus tree is affected by insects such as aphids or scale, it will need to be sprayed with insecticidal soap for up to two days to kill off these pests, which excrete honeydew on ficus trees that can damage the foliage. You should consult a professional to treat the ficus tree for severe infestations. If a ficus tree is being affected by these pests and has been sprayed with insecticidal soap, it will need to be pruned to remove any damaged leaves for them to remain healthy. - Ficus Tree Pruning
Ficus trees do not generally require pruning unless they are overwatered or damaged by insects. If there is damage on a particular branch, such as too much shade or shade from other branches, it needs to be cut back to its appropriate height for the ficus tree to grow healthy again. This pruning will help prevent further damage to that branch and all its leaves. - Fertilization
Fertilization may not be needed on a ficus tree until it becomes older, though it will still help keep it healthy by keeping its leaves green and preventing them from turning brown. If a fertilizing program is started on a ficus tree, you should check them regularly to ensure they receive the proper amount of nutrients they need throughout the year. If the ficus tree is being affected by pests, it should be treated with an appropriate insecticidal soap or spray to remove these pests before fertilizing begins. - Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity will help prevent ficus leaves from turning brown because they will help prevent damage caused by too much moisture. Suppose a ficus tree is being affected by pests. In that case, humidity may need to be increased to help them survive. However, too much humidity can also cause ficus trees to turn brown, so it would be best to keep the humidity levels within the recommended ranges. It is also essential to ensure that temperatures do not become too high or too low for the ficus trees throughout their year because this could cause them to die. - Mulching
Fertilization, pruning, and preventing ficus leaves from turning brown will help prevent the ficus tree from turning brown. If a ficus tree is kept healthy with proper watering and fertilization throughout its year, it will remain green and healthy. You should also keep it away from areas that are too hot or cold because this can cause damage to it. - Pruning Tools
You should use pruning tools such as pruners regularly to cut back branches that are breaking off due to damage or if they have become too low and are blocking sunlight from reaching other branches on its display. Creating a proper tree shape for a ficus tree is also necessary. It will help prevent the browning of the leaves on a ficus tree if it is properly pruned and shaped. - Leaf Shine Products
Leaf shine products are used to help keep the leaves from turning brown or brown, depending on the variety of ficus trees. It will also help keep bugs away from it and prevent fungal infections. These leaf shine products can usually be used for up to 10 days at a time but need to be reapplied now and then, just like fertilization needs to be reapplied throughout the year. It can be sprayed onto the ficus tree once a month or every few weeks, depending on how often it is being pruned or fertilized. - Planting Orchids Around a Ficus Tree
A ficus tree doesn’t need to have an orchid planted near it, but it can help prevent the ficus leaves from turning brown and help it keep healthy.
The beauty of a ficus paradise depends on various factors, not all of which can be controlled by people. It is necessary to choose plants that suit your space, location, and climate. A variety of plants are suitable for different situations within different latitude zones.
The cause of brown leaf tips on a ficus is caused due to improper nourishment. There are many reasons a ficus tree loses its leaves; improper watering, insufficient sunlight, extreme temperatures, pests & disease, and more. Fertilizing it less than once a year can cause damage to the plant. If the leaves keep falling off, then the reason could be incorrect fertilization. Proper fertilization will make the leaves remain healthy and green in color without any spotting or yellowing. To prevent this untimely fall of leaves, you must regularly apply fertilizer or plant food to your ficus trees every three months.
