Leaf drop

Some plants, above all fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants and weeping figs, react to almost any change by shedding leaves. It looks alarming, but a plant that keeps its growing tips usually recovers.

How to tell which cause it is

• Just bought, moved or repotted: shock from new light and temperature. The classic cause.
• Green leaves falling in winter, near a door, window or air conditioner: cold draughts.
• Leaves turning yellow first, then falling: a watering problem. See yellow leaves.
• Leaves crispy before they fall, soil dry: underwatering or very dry air.
• Sticky leaves, small bumps on stems: scale insects or other pests.
• One old, lower leaf now and then: normal ageing.

How to fix it

Shock: pick a bright spot without direct midday sun and leave the plant there. Don't move it again to "try somewhere better" — each move restarts the adjustment.

Cold: move it away from draughty glass and doors. Most houseplants want to stay above 15 °C.

Water: go back to watering when the top few centimetres are dry, thoroughly, and empty the saucer.

Pests: check undersides of leaves and stems, and treat what you find.

Hold off fertilising until new leaves appear; a stressed plant can't use it.

How to prevent it

Choose the spot before you buy, acclimatise new plants gradually, keep them away from heaters and draughts, and water consistently. Fewer changes means fewer dropped leaves.