My indoor potted fig has had partial browning of most of its leaves for the 3-4 years I’ve had it.
I’m ready to give up on it, but as sons’ gave to me I’d like to try a little longer.
Is it caused by intermittent watering perhaps? Lack of misting it?
It’s in a west facing window hence getting later afternoon sun, and it’s behind a gauze curtain.
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners. Your Variegated Fig Tree (Ficus elastica Tineke) has an abiotic disease common on Rubber Trees. Filtered light best mimics the home tropical conditions of this plant. You indicate that the tree is behind a curtain. Does that mean it gets direct light? If so, you should move it to see if the new leaves are still affected in another location without direct sunlight.
Too little humidity might also be an issue. It needs a humid atmosphere, hard to achieve in our indoor climate, especially in winter. The simplest way to solve this problem is to place pebbles in the saucer under the plant that extends 3-4cm from the base of the pot. Keep some water in the saucer. Also, mist the plant frequently. However, it is important not to over-water the plant. Only water when the soil is dry, once a week should be adequate. The fig should be re-potted every few years with porous soil. If this is impossible because of its size, remove the top 1.5cm of soil and add potting soil mixed with perlite. Most potting soils don’t have enough perlite to make the soil as permeable as this plant needs.
As the tree grows you might wish to prune the tree. Prune in late winter before new growth starts. Cut just before a leaf. You can remove damaged leaves, especially if new leaves are un-damaged. If any non-variegated leaves appear remove them immediately: they will otherwise take over the plant. The Royal Horticultural Society has reliable information on growing house plants. Click here for the link
July 2, 2024.