Fiddle Leaf Fig root rot

Brown leaf patches and leaf drop can accompany root trouble, but they do not prove it. Inspect roots when decline continues in wet soil, the base softens, or the pot smells sour.

Keep roots that hold together

Remove the pot carefully, supporting the heavy plant. Trim roots that are mushy or shedding their outer layer, clean the container, and replace decomposed mix. Choose the pot by the remaining roots rather than the height of the tree.

After repotting

Set the trunk at its original depth, water the fresh mix evenly, and drain. Keep bright indirect light and stable warmth. Check the old root ball as well as new surrounding mix before watering again. Resume fertilizer when active growth returns.