Fig Tree Leaves Turning Yellow – Causes and Prevention

Fig tree leaves turning yellow might signify the plant is getting too much sun. Ensure that fig trees get enough shade or prune them if necessary. If you’re unable to provide enough shade, it may be better to replant your fig tree since they are not very drought-tolerant plants and require a lot of water. Although they might go dormant during times of extreme heat, they will likely recover when the weather cools down again in the fall or winter months. Figs trees are most responsive to fertilizer when they are young.

Fig tree’s leaves turning yellow could also be due to excessive sun exposure, low humidity, or low water levels. It could also indicate the presence of bugs, such as spider mites, or disease. Diagnosing the cause is essential so you can treat it quickly. The plant should be repotted if it is overcrowded and not receiving proper drainage. Correcting sunlight exposure by pruning branches that overshadow the plant can also help.

It is essential to water fig trees when the soil feels dry. Regular watering will keep fig trees healthy. Without enough water, fig trees are susceptible to various diseases and pests that can cause leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely, branches to die back, or tap roots to rot.

Causes For Fig Tree Leaves Turning Yellow

• Too much sun
  Whitefly is small white insects that suck sap from the leaves, causing yellowing and a stippling effect. Spider mites create a fine webbing on the underside of leaves that causes yellowing and can eventually kill the leaves. Yellow spots on fig tree leaves can indicate a fungal infection. It is often a result of too much fungus and moisture in the air, overwatering, or heavy fungal growth on the plant.
• Low humidity
  If the fig tree is not getting enough water, its leaves will eventually start to drop off. Since fig trees like humidity levels between 50-70 percent and temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit, you should be able to get by only giving your fig tree enough water when it is watered. For low humidity, fans are usually recommended. These can reduce the risk that certain pests will develop in their eggs or larva stage, such as whiteflies or spider mites that would otherwise dry out and become inactive or die outright if found under a fan.
• Phosphorus deficiency
  Fig trees often have a phosphorus deficiency, which causes yellow leaves. The best way to treat this problem is to avoid overwatering and allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions. You can also feed your fig tree with liquid fertilizer containing phosphorus to help it recover from this condition.
• Too much nitrogen fertilizer
  Too much nitrogen fertilizer can cause leaves to fork, bud, and grow excessively, creating new leaves and branches, but then often dropping them due to a lack of nutrients from the ground or water because of over-fertilization. It can also cause leaves to turn brown. It is also possible that your soil may be full of nitrogen, so even though you have added nitrogen fertilizer, it is not being used.
• Drought
  Fig tree’s leaves turning yellow can become yellow and eventually fall off because of a lack of water and a prolonged dry spell during a period when fig trees are not supposed to experience drought. If you notice your fig tree leaves turning yellow because of drought, ensure that the soil is moist throughout the day and avoid overwatering. If this does not restore the condition to normal, it may be best to replant the fig tree to cope with dry spells better by using pruning techniques or drip irrigation in early spring for maximum results.
• Too much water
  If not enough water is provided, it can weaken the fig tree and make it susceptible to several diseases and pests that can cause yellowing, leaf fall, or death. Water weekly in the morning with regular drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses. Do not overwater during dry periods since overwatering will weaken your plant and allow harmful insects to attack it through roots or stems. It is also essential for you to ensure that you have sufficient drainage for your fig tree roots to develop into healthy plants. Ficus trees are very slow-growing and need a lot of time to be healthy and thrive over time. It is a good idea to allow your fig tree to get established from the beginning before you begin to prune it.
• Mites and spidermites
  Small white insects and spider mites can cause yellow leaves in your fig tree and delicate webs on the underside, causing browning and eventually dropping leaves. Eliminate giant insects using pesticides, as they can be carriers of certain diseases that could infect your plant, including fig-killing nematodes. It is essential to treat leaf infection by spraying it with horticultural oil.
• Rhizobia deficiency
  The roots of fig trees cannot acquire nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen from the soil when the soil is loaded with rhizobia bacteria. This problem can occur when the fig tree is grown in too much clay or peat or if the base of the plant is not allowed to develop deep enough to absorb nutrients from the soil. You may solve this problem by using a high-nitrogen fertilizer and adding a source of nitrogen into your soil higher than most common plants like beach grass, which contains rhizobia bacteria. Make sure you keep your soil moist and work the root with a long-handled trowel to loosen it and allow air to circulate.
• Foliar disease
  Many fig tree diseases can be prevented entirely by keeping your tree free of insects, applying horticultural oil, or spraying with horticultural oil as soon as the first symptoms of infection appear. First, identify the cause of leaf yellowing so you can treat it before it becomes harmful, such as spider mites, whiteflies, or other insects. Chlorine bleach is not recommended as it can burn plants, so only use it when dealing with an insect infestation. You are responsible for following all the safety precautions on the label before using bleach.
• Foliar damage from other plants
  If you have several fig trees nearby, there may be competition for water and nutrients between them, which can lead to yellowing leaves or dies. You can avoid this by spacing your fig trees at least 6 inches between each one. Ficus trees are very slow-growing, so spacing will allow them time to develop deep roots and a strong canopy that will provide enough water and nutrients they need.

Solutions For Controlling Fig Tree Leaves Turning Yellow

• Add a source of nitrogen fertilizer.
  Adding some nitrogen fertilizer can significantly help your fig tree grow and thrive over time. The best type of fertilizers is high-nitrogen fertilizers, such as 10-10-10 or 11-11-15, with the most readily available value per pound of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Because they have a long-lasting effect on plants, it is recommended to use them in early spring and at the end of the season during dry periods when your plant must replenish its reserve levels for growth.
• Add a good source of water to your soil.
  Pay attention to the amount of water and the irrigation method you use. Too much water will weaken your fig tree, while not enough water will cause the roots to remain dormant and be unable to grow into healthy plants. You can accomplish this by using unique plants such as peat moss or sand, but it is best if you use organic materials that promote better results in your soil. Ensure that you keep the plant well-watered during dry periods like early spring and late fall when it is most needed and during dry spells in between.
• Do not overwater.
  Wetting your plant excessively with water during dry periods can cause the roots to become weak and ultimately lead to the tree’s death. When watering, ensure that you can see moisture in the soil throughout the day and avoid overwatering as much as possible. The best way to control this is by using drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses for regular watering and allowing your soil to remain moist for a few days after rain before irrigating your plant again.
• Treat insect infestations.
  Various insects can cause yellow leaves in fig trees and cause them to become unhealthy, which in turn will endanger their life. Insecticides are very useful in controlling insect infestations and reducing the adverse effects on your plant’s health. If a severe infestation affects your entire garden, consider contacting a professional gardener to take care of it.
• Apply horticultural oil as soon as symptoms appear.
  Like with pest control, you can use pesticides and fungicides specifically designed to be used against diseases and insects that cause leaf yellowing, browning, or death of your fig tree. Ensure you follow all safety precautions by following the label instructions carefully, especially when using pesticides around plants such as children and pets.
• Spray with horticultural oil.
  You can reduce the stress on your plant by spraying it with horticultural oils, which will help eliminate any unhealthy plants that have become infected with bacteria and fungi. Controlling pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites will prevent these diseases from spreading to healthy plants, making it easier for you to treat infections that already appear. It is essential to keep the soil moist to prevent stress, but you must also allow it to dry between watering.
• Use a fungicide or pesticide.
  Choose the type of pesticide or fungicide recommended for your plant and follow the label instructions closely. It is best to choose pesticides and fungicides that have a low impact on the environment and are considered organic rather than choose ones that are highly toxic and can affect surrounding plants in your garden, as well as pets and children.
• Improve drainage by loosening the soil around the root zone with a long-handled trowel.
  Plants that lack proper drainage will be more susceptible to diseases and pests and are more susceptible to death. To help improve drainage, loosen the soil around the root system with a long-handled trowel.
• Remove competing for vegetation around the fig tree with a rake.
  To ensure adequate water supply to your plant and prevent yellow leaves, try to remove any competing vegetation blocking regular waterings from reaching the roots of your fig tree. Many areas can also cause more stress for the plant as it won’t have enough sunlight for photosynthesis, leading to leaf yellowing and other symptoms of toxicity or problems in the root zone.
• Repot in the fall.
  If your plant becomes stressed due to a lack of water or other factors, it is recommended to report it in the fall. It will help encourage better water uptake and healthy root growth that will benefit your fig tree over time.
• Prune dead branches with secateurs in early spring.
  Dead branches that have become infected by fungi can kill your fig tree if they remain infected for too long, making it necessary to remove them. At the same time, they are still small and manageable by hand to prevent further damage from occurring and kill off the tissue that may still be able to grow new healthy leaves or trees over time. It is essential to keep dead branches from falling to the ground and getting into the surrounding soil. Try to cut them as close to the soil and remove them with many layers of newspaper before composting or disposing of them.
• Fertilize in early spring after pruning.
  After pruning your fig tree, make sure you fertilize it again in early spring so that it can begin growing new leaves immediately after pruning and will be able to use its reserve stores of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium more effectively so that it can help it to grow new roots as well as leaves. In contrast, its old ones die off naturally over time.

Fig trees are beautiful and valuable plants that can help make a garden more attractive, but they can be challenging to grow. They require particular soil conditions and watering methods to thrive and can be harmed by pests or diseases. Unfortunately, if your fig tree starts to lose its leaves or turns yellow, it is usually a sign that it has become infected with a disease or insect and will not recover without your intervention.

To keep your plant healthy, it is recommended to start by following all the steps for proper planting and weathering of the soil so the root system can establish itself quickly. It would help if you did not overwater or underwater your plant, but water is enough to ensure the top few inches of soil are moist but not soggy.
To control pests and plant diseases, you should always use pesticides and fungicides specifically formulated for fig trees that are safe for humans and animals and highly effective.

To ensure proper irrigation for your fig tree throughout the year, you should use drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses that a timer can easily control so that the right amount of water is provided at the right time. You should also remove any competing vegetation with a rake and fertilize it early in the spring. Prune dead branches as soon as they appear and report them in the fall to help them grow new roots.

Following these steps can help your fig tree maintain its health, beauty, and productivity for many years!