Replanted A Ficus Lyrata That Is Now Slowly Dying And I Don’t Know What To Do About

Question

Hi, everyone! I need help with a problem with a ficus lyrata. I had this plant in a pot that seemed relatively small as it had grown a lot, so I decided to replant it (I don’t know how relevant this is, but the soil I bought for replanting is vegetable soil). As I’m not a plant expert or anything, I did it with someone’s help. During the process, the roots were gigantic and super compacted, and the person suggested trimming some of them to fit better in the pot, so we did that. Now, the plant is dying! In the first few hours, the lower leaves turned yellow and fell off. After that, no other leaves turned yellow but they look dull and lack shine. Yet they continue to fall off in droves. The plant is leaning and seems to have little support, and the leaves are pointing towards the ground.  What should I do? How can I save the plant? It has been with my family for like 4 years now and my wife absolutely loves it so she is devastated it’s dying so I’d appreciate all the help to try and save it! Thanks in advance.

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Answer 1

Pruning roots on a Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) is safe when done during repotting, typically every 2-3 years. Use sharp shears to trim circling or congested roots, avoiding more than one-third removal to prevent stress. Ensure well-draining soil in the new pot to prevent root rot. Adjust watering post-pruning, initially watering slightly less. Monitor the plant's stress, adjusting care as needed, as Ficus lyrata is sensitive to environmental changes. If unsure, seek advice from a local nursery or plant care professional for optimal results.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-tree-care.htm