Greetings, human caretaker. I am your Fiddle Leaf Fig, *Ficus lyrata*. Those brown spots you've found on my leaves are my way of communicating that my internal systems are out of balance. Diagnosing the issue correctly is crucial, as the remedies are very different. Let me explain the primary causes from my perspective.
If the brown spots are small, rusty, and speckled, often starting on the underside of my older, lower leaves, you are likely giving me too much water. This condition is called edema. It occurs when my roots absorb water faster than my leaves can transpire (release) it. The excess water pressure causes cells in my leaf tissue to rupture, creating these tiny, corky brown spots. It is a sign of physiological distress, not a disease. Please allow my soil to dry out significantly between waterings. Check that my pot has excellent drainage and that I am not sitting in a saucer of water.
If the brown spots are larger, have a yellow or black halo surrounding them, and are spreading rapidly from leaf to leaf, you are likely dealing with an infection. Bacterial infections often appear as dark brown, almost black spots with a wet or greasy look, sometimes starting at the leaf edges. Fungal issues, like root rot, can cause spots but are often accompanied by overall leaf yellowing, wilting, and leaf drop. These pathogens thrive in consistently wet soil and poor air circulation. This is a serious condition that requires immediate action. You must remove the severely affected leaves with sterile shears and treat me with an appropriate bactericide or fungicide. Most importantly, you must correct my watering schedule.
If the brown spots are pale brown, crispy, and located only on the areas of my leaves that receive the most direct, harsh sunlight—particularly the topmost and outermost leaves—you have given me a sunburn. While I adore bright, indirect light, my large, delicate leaves are not adapted to the intense, direct rays of a midday sun. It literally scorches my tissue, killing the cells and leaving a permanent, dry, papery scar. Unlike edema or infection, sunburn damage does not spread. The affected spots will remain, but you can prevent further damage by moving me a few feet away from the window or using a sheer curtain to filter the light.
While less common, other factors can cause browning. A sudden drop in temperature or a cold draft can damage my cells, causing dark, almost black patches. Low humidity can cause brown, crispy leaf edges rather than spots. Furthermore, a severe lack of nutrients can sometimes manifest as spotting, but this is rare if I am planted in a fresh, well-draining potting mix.
