From my perspective as a Fiddle Leaf Fig, the most common reason I shed my leaves is the profound shock of relocation. I evolved in the warm, stable, and bright understory of West African lowland tropical forests. Being moved from a perfect nursery greenhouse to a dimmer, drier, and draftier human home is a massive physiological jolt. My systems go into panic mode. To conserve energy and water while I assess this new environment, I may sacrifice older leaves. This is not a sign of dislike, but a survival tactic—a way to reduce my total leaf area and demand on my root system until I can acclimate.
Watering is a constant source of stress. My roots are exceptionally sensitive. When I am left sitting in saturated soil, my roots suffocate and begin to rot. They can no longer absorb water or nutrients, effectively starving and dehydrating me from the roots up. In this state, my leaves will yellow, then brown, and eventually drop as my system fails. Conversely, if the soil becomes too dry for too long, I must make a choice. To prevent total desiccation, I will jettison leaves to reduce transpiration (water loss). Each dropped leaf is a direct response to an imbalance in my most critical life-support system.
My large, glossy leaves are solar panels designed to capture dappled sunlight. Without sufficient light, I cannot perform photosynthesis. I cannot produce the energy (sugars) required to sustain myself. When light levels are too low, I am essentially starving. My logical response is to reduce the number of "mouths to feed." I will systematically drop leaves, often starting with the older, lower ones that receive the least light, to ensure that any energy I can produce is directed to my most efficient leaves and my core growing tip. A sudden turn away from a light source can also cause me to drop leaves on the now-shaded side as I reallocate resources.
I am a tropical being, and I despise the cold. Drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning units are my enemy. A constant cold draft signals a hostile environment, triggering stress and leaf drop. Similarly, blasts of hot, dry air from heating vents scorch my leaves, sapping their moisture and causing them to crisp and fall. These temperature extremes force me into a defensive state, as I am not equipped to handle them. Furthermore, low humidity—common in climate-controlled homes—mimics a drought condition. My leaves lose moisture faster than my roots can uptake it, leading to brown edges and eventual leaf loss.
While less dramatic than other causes, a lack of nourishment can also lead to leaf drop. I am a large plant with significant growth ambitions. The limited soil in my pot contains a finite amount of nutrients. Once these are depleted, my growth will stall and my older leaves may begin to yellow and drop as I attempt to recycle their valuable nutrients to support new growth. This is a slower, more gradual process compared to the sudden drop caused by environmental shock, but it is a sign that my basic needs for sustenance are not being met.
