Why does your Ficus sycomorus have sudden leaf drop? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Ficus sycomorus is sensitive to radical changes in soil moisture. Rapid leaf drop often occurs when the roots are suffocating from waterlogged soil (leading to root rot) or if the soil has become completely desiccated, triggering a survival mechanism.
As a tropical species, sudden exposure to cold drafts or a significant drop in light levels can trigger abscission. This is particularly common when the tree is moved indoors or during seasonal shifts.
Waterborne pathogens like Phytophthora can attack the root system of large Ficus species, causing the tree to lose its ability to support foliage, resulting in sudden wilting and leaf drop.
A sudden inability to maintain foliage can occur if the soil is depleted of essential macronutrients, though this usually presents with chlorosis before total leaf drop.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues: