How to Get Rid of Fungus in Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil

Do you know how to get rid of fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil? Were you aware that your soil could even get fungus?

Has this happened to you? You go to water your fiddle and notice mushrooms growing in the potting. Or maybe you see white mold growing on top of your soil. Or you might see unexplained brown spots on your leaves.

What gives?

These are all signs of fungus growing in your fiddle leaf fig’s soil and possibly the roots.

If left untreated, it can lead to fungal root infection, which is very dangerous for your tree!

How to Prevent Fungus in Fiddle Leaf Figs

Prevention of fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil is always best, so let’s talk about how to stop fungus from growing in your plant’s soil in the first place.

Fungus likes to grow in dark, damp conditions.

Giving your plant the proper lighting and correct watering routine is the best thing you can do to prevent fungus and encourage the best overall health for your tree. (We also recommend our Houseplant Leaf Armor to protect your plant’s leaves from fungus, bacteria, and insects. As an added bonus, it also cleans and adds shine to the leaves.)

Avoid over-watering

Fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil is a sign of over-watering, which can cause root rot, so you definitely want to nip it in the bud. (Treat root rot with our Root Supplement.)

To dial in your watering routine, check out these posts:

• The Ultimate Watering Guide
• How Dry Is Too Dry? When to Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
• How and When to Water Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant

Light

Make sure your plant gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.

If you aren’t sure how much light your plant needs, read How much light does a fiddle leaf fig need?

Check your other plants carefully

Like bacteria, fungus can spread from plant to plant.

Before bringing a new plant home, make sure to check it for signs of fungal growth or infection. Also check for fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil.

Keep new plants away from your existing houseplants for a few weeks when you first bring them home, and if you notice fungus growing on one of your houseplants, get it away from your other plants to prevent the fungus from spreading.

How to Get Rid of Fungus in Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil

So how do you deal with the fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil that’s already there? Here are our favorite tips.

Carefully remove visible fungus

Use a spoon to scoop off any visible fungus from the top of the soil. This won’t prevent fungus from growing beneath the surface, but it can help if it’s just mild fungal growth.

Bright light

Remember that fungus and mushrooms like dark, damp conditions. Conversely, good light can help your plant fight off a fungal infection and stop one from forming in the first place.

Move your fiddle closer to a bright window, but make sure the sun’s rays don’t actually hit the leaves (make sure the tree never casts a shadow.)

If you don’t have the right light conditions in your home, consider investing in a grow light. (We recommend these grow lights.)

Cinnamon or another antifungal treatment

Cinnamon is naturally antifungal, so it can prevent fungus from growing and even get rid of mild fungus on the soil’s surface.

Sprinkle a little on the top of your soil to discourage fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil from growing or spreading.

Put your plant outside

This is a situation where it might be a good idea to put your plant outside.

The fresh air and extra light can jump-start your plant’s immune system and help the soil dry out faster than it would inside. Just make sure not to put your tree in full sun.

(Full disclosure: Some fiddle leaf figs can handle full sun, but most need to be acclimated to it.)

If you live in an area with warm (but not hot) temperatures, try putting your tree outside in the shade.

Keep an eye on your tree for signs of drying or burning, especially if you live in a dry climate.

Fiddle leaf figs can handle more sun and hotter temperatures with high humidity, but if you live in the desert, you risk drying out your tree.

Keep very close tabs on your fiddle if this is the case.

Repot

If the problem is severe, repot the plant in fresh soil before the fungus causes an infection in the roots.

Gently remove as much of the old soil from the roots as possible. If you notice any mushy roots, remove them. If you see fungus growing on the roots, prune those as well.

Repot into a clean pot with drainage holes and a fast-draining soil to prevent over-watering and fungal growth in the future.

Fungus is no fun

With proper care, you can prevent fungus in fiddle leaf fig soil from taking hold of your precious plant and deal with an outbreak if it happens. This doesn’t have to be the end.

Grab the Essentials for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig:

• Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Potting Soil
• Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food
• Root Rot Treatment
• Houseplant Leaf Armor to protect against insects, bacteria, and fungus (As an added bonus, it also cleans and adds shine to your plant’s leaves!)
• Moisture meter to always know when your plant is thirsty.

To learn more:

• Sign up for our free Fiddle Leaf Fig Care 101 Webinar or enroll in our free Fiddle Leaf Fig Course for advanced fiddle leaf fig care.
• Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter.
• Read The Fiddle Leaf Fig Expert, your complete guide to growing healthy fiddle leaf fig plants. The book is available in full-color paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon now!
• Click to join our community on Facebook: Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource Group.