Fiddle Leaf Figs are notoriously picky about the temperature in which they grow.
The ideal temperature range for growing fiddle leaf figs is 60-75 °F. Do not leave your plants in temperatures below 50 °F for an extended period. It can withstand temperatures up to 100 °F with ease. However, if the temperature is too high or too low, it can hurt the health of fiddle leaf figs.
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What Temperature Do Fiddle Leaf Figs Prefer?
Fiddle Leaf Figs are native to the tropics. They are native to the warm rain forests of western Africa, where it is hot and humid all year.
They prefer warmer temperatures, ideally between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 24 degrees Celsius).
However, they will survive at the lower end of that range, but their growth will slow. The Fig tree may eventually go dormant.
This is a slumbering state in which all growth ceases, and even basic biological processes move slowly, if at all. It’s almost like hibernation. They’ll conserve energy until the seasons change again.
What Temperature Is Too Cold For Fiddle Leaf Figs?
If the temperature drops below 65°F, your Fig will not thrive. Dark spots on the plant’s leaves will appear as its growth slows down.
A sudden drop in temperature can cause leaves to entirely fall off. When the weather is terrible, figs lose a lot of their leaves in a big way.
In addition, cold drafts can damage your Fig. If your Fig is placed near an air conditioning vent or against a cold window, no amount of warmth will protect it from harm.
Signs Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Has Been Exposed To The Wrong Temperature
Leaves Dropping
Leaves from Fiddle Leaf Figs fall off the tree at the first sign of stress. You can tell if your growing conditions are too hot or cold, too drafty or otherwise unstable by shedding your Fig’s leaves.
This is similar to the sudden and permanent change that occurs when a tree is brought indoors, from its incredible fall patio to its warm living room for the winter.
If you keep your Fig at a temperature that it can handle, it will return to its former glory. During the warmer months of the year, you should feed it a diluted fig tree fertilizer to help it rebuild. (See the Amazon prices here)
However, if your Fig is losing its leaves in the winter, you’ll have to wait until spring for them to reappear. It will likely go dormant until the weather warms up, so fertilizing is pointless.
In addition, nutrients left in the soil may cause root damage or fungal blooms in the growing medium, both of which can be harmful to the Fig.
Blackened Leaves
The blackened leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig signify that it has been exposed to too much heat. In either case, the weather may be too extreme. Doesn’t it baffle you?
Your best bet is to pay attention to what’s happening around you. For example, it is most likely overheating if your Fig develops black patches on the side closest to the window in the summertime.
Likewise, the side closest to an air conditioning vent may darken if it is moved away from the cold source.
It’s best to leave those leaves on your Fig because they can still produce food for your Fig. It may be tempting to remove those leaves.
Dry Leaf Edges
If the leaf edges of your fiddle leaf fig are crispy and dry, they have been dehydrated. Plants that are either too hot or too dry are most susceptible to this issue.
If you look at the edges of the leaves, you can tell when the Fiddle leaf fig is drying out, especially in the hottest months of the year.
This is because the plant loses even more water due to transpiration when the temperature is high. So, from the top-down, the leaves begin to lose their moisture.
It is more challenging to identify dry edges caused by low humidity. Depending on personal preferences, climate control systems can produce either hot or cold interiors, depending on the season.
If you keep your Fig in an area that’s either too hot or too cold, it’ll suffer from a lack of humidity.
A 30 to 65 percent humidity level is ideal for Fiddle Leaf Figs. As air conditioners and heating systems tend to dry out the air, this can be a challenge. As the temperature rises, so does the amount of moisture in the air.
Once you bring your figs indoors for the winter, it’s a good idea to mist them frequently to keep them healthy.
An electric humidifier is an additional choice. (See the Amazon prices here) Having a humidifier near your Fiddle leaf fig will help maintain a constant humidity level.
Sometimes the Fig curls its leaves instead of shedding them dramatically. Temperatures that are either too hot or too cold will prevent your fiddle leaf fig from curling its leaves.
Curling is temporary, and once the temperature issue is resolved, they’ll slowly uncurl. So even though there are other possible explanations for curled leaves, I covered them here.
Sunscald
Dry, pale spots on your Fig’s leaf are the first indication of sunscald. After that, the color fades and the patches spread to any leaf exposed to sunlight.
However, it can also be caused by an overly powerful grow light, which is more common outside.
Sunscald is a sign that you need to move your Fig to a more shady part of your home.
Unfortunately, the leaf’s damage cannot be reversed. Eventually, the pale area will dry out and become crisper.
If you want to feed your Fig, I suggest trimming the leaves back to about a third of their original size. However, severely burned leaves can be removed.
Can Fiddle Leaf Figs Survive Outside in Winter?
In general, I recommend not leaving any tropical plants outside during the winter, especially if you live in the north.
You must bring it in for the season if the outdoor overnight temperature falls below 55°F (12°C). These are tropical plants that are not at all adapted to cold nights.
There aren’t many places in the country where you can leave figs unattended. However, you might be able to leave your Fig on your porch during the winter if you live in the Florida Keys or Hawaii.
However, bringing them inside and out of the cold weather is preferable for the vast majority of people.
Can Fig Trees Take Frost?
You should avoid exposing the Fiddle Leaf Fig to cold temperatures. If the air is cold enough to freeze the dewfall around them, it will also freeze the water in their tissue.
Frozen tissue cannot be reactivated regardless of how long it defrosted. As a result, icy water expands and crystallizes, puncturing the cells of plants like this fiddle leaf fig.
Frozen patches of unusually bright green can quickly turn black and mushy as they thaw, one of the most visible signs of frost damage.
Roots are just as vulnerable as leaves, showing the most visible damage signs. If the roots of a Fig are frozen, it is a death sentence.
As the weather turns colder, bring them inside.
How Do You Take Care of A Fiddle Leaf Fig During Winter?
- Remove the Fiddle Leaf Fig from the vicinity of any windows or doors.
- Avoid exposing the Fig to drafts and breezes.
- Maintain a high humidity level.
- Water only when the top two inches of soil are dry.
- Only fertilize in the spring.
- Consider using a grow light if bright, direct sunlight is insufficient.