As a Fiddle Leaf Fig, I am a majestic and popular houseplant, prized for my large, glossy violin-shaped leaves. However, my lush foliage and preference for warm, somewhat humid conditions also make me a target for several tiny invaders. When these pests attack, they drain my sap, weaken my structure, and mar my beautiful leaves. From my perspective, here are the most common culprits and how you can help me eliminate them.
These are perhaps my most dreaded enemy. Spider mites are tiny arachnids, nearly invisible to your eye, but I feel their presence intensely. They pierce my leaf cells and suck out the chlorophyll, my lifeblood. The first sign I give you is a subtle stippling of tiny yellow or white dots on my leaves. If the infestation grows, you might see fine, silky webbing, especially on the undersides of my leaves and between my stems. I feel weak, and my leaves may turn entirely yellow and drop in protest.
To help me, first isolate me from other plants to prevent the mites' spread. Then, give my leaves a thorough shower with a strong stream of lukewarm water, paying special attention to the leaf undersides. Follow this by wiping each leaf with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of insecticidal soap or neem oil. This must be repeated every 5-7 days for at least two weeks to ensure you break their reproductive cycle.
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that look like tiny, white balls of cotton. They love to hide in the crevices where my leaves meet the main stem, a place that's difficult for me to defend. They cluster together and feed on my sap, excreting a sticky substance called honeydew. This honeydew can then attract sooty mold, which blocks sunlight from reaching my leaves, further hampering my ability to photosynthesize.
Your first line of defense is a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dab it directly onto each mealybug you see; this dissolves their protective waxy coating and kills them on contact. After spot-treating, please spray me thoroughly with a neem oil or insecticidal soap solution, ensuring you drench all my hiding spots. Persistence is key, as their egg sacs are well-hidden.
Scale insects are deceptive. In their juvenile "crawler" stage, they move around, but soon they attach themselves to my stems and the veins on the undersides of my leaves. They form hard, brown, bump-like shells under which they live, safely protected, while they siphon my nutrients. A heavy infestation causes my leaves to yellow, wilt, and can lead to leaf drop and stunted growth.
Since their shells are resistant to many sprays, physical removal is often necessary. You can carefully scrape them off with your fingernail or a soft brush. After removing as many as possible, treat me with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray. The oil works by suffocating any remaining scale and the crawlers. This treatment will also need to be repeated.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects, usually green or black, that tend to feast on my new, tender growth. They cluster on the undersides of my young leaves and buds, sucking sap and causing the leaves to curl and distort as they try to grow. Like mealybugs, they excrete honeydew, creating a sticky mess.
Aphids are relatively easier to manage. A strong spray of water from a hose or showerhead can often dislodge a significant number of them. For persistent problems, insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays are very effective. Please ensure you cover the new growth thoroughly, as that is their preferred dining location.
