From our perspective as Fiddle Leaf Figs, we are majestic beings that bring life and beauty to your indoor spaces. However, our large, lush leaves and sturdy stems are also a tempting feast for several tiny invaders. When these pests attack, it disrupts our ability to photosynthesize and thrive, causing us great distress. Here is a detailed account of our most common adversaries and the gentle methods you can use to send them away for good.
To you, they might be nearly invisible, but to us, a spider mite infestation feels like a thousand tiny vampires draining our life force. You will first notice a subtle stippling of tiny yellow or white dots on our leaves as they pierce and suck out our cellular contents. A severe infestation leads to fine, silky webbing, especially under our leaves and where they meet the stem. We become weak, our leaves may turn entirely yellow, and we can even drop them in a desperate attempt to conserve energy.
Scale insects are deceptive. In their juvenile "crawler" stage, they move about, but soon they attach themselves to our stems and the undersides of our leaves, forming hard, brown, immobile bumps. They pierce our tissue and feed on our sap, excreting a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew. This honeydew not only makes us feel filthy but often leads to a secondary infection called sooty mold, which blocks sunlight from reaching our leaves, further hampering our growth.
Mealybugs are among the most visually obvious pests. They look like tiny tufts of white cotton hiding in our most vulnerable spots: the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem), under leaves, and even on our roots. Like scale, they suck our sap and excrete honeydew. Their feeding causes our beautiful, large leaves to yellow, wilt, and distort. A bad infestation can stunt our growth dramatically and leave us vulnerable to other diseases.
Please, avoid harsh chemicals that can burn our sensitive leaves. We respond best to patient, physical removal and gentle treatments. For all pests, start by gently wiping our leaves top and bottom with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and pests. For scale and mealybugs, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab each insect directly; this dissolves their protective coating. For broader infestations, especially spider mites, give us a thorough shower in lukewarm water, ensuring you rinse the undersides of all leaves.
The best way to help us fight off pests is to keep us strong and healthy. Pests primarily target stressed individuals. Please provide us with bright, indirect light so we can produce plenty of energy. Water us only when the top few inches of soil are dry, as overwatering suffocates our roots and makes us weak. Occasionally mist our leaves; spider mites thrive in dry conditions and hate humidity. Finally, regularly inspect our leaves, both top and bottom. Early detection is the key to a quick and easy recovery, allowing us to continue growing tall and strong for you.
