Hello plant people: Expert advice needed. I have had a Ficus Benjamina for about 5 years, potted up this past summer from a 10 inch terracotta pot to a 12 inch ceramic pot. Watering is different in the ceramic pot but it is shooting out new growth as if it really really likes its new home. But I noticed these spots. Can anyone tell me what this is? I absolutely adore this tree. Please help. Thank you 💚😊
The small, dark spots are likely Edema (Oedema) or a minor leaf spot issue The small, dark spots are likely Edema (Oedema) or a minor leaf spot issue, both usually caused by inconsistent watering and the change to a moisture-retaining ceramic pot. Here is what to do: Water Less Often: The ceramic pot keeps the soil wetter. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Make sure the drainage hole is clear and empty any excess water from the tray immediately. The small, dark spots are likely Edema (Oedema) or a minor leaf spot issue, both usually caused by inconsistent watering and the change to a moisture-retaining ceramic pot. Here is what to do: Water Less Often: The ceramic pot keeps the soil wetter. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Make sure the drainage hole is clear and empty any excess water from the tray immediately. That's a beautiful tree! The new growth is a great sign that your Ficus likes its new pot. The small, dark spots are likely Edema (Oedema) or a minor leaf spot issue, both usually caused by inconsistent watering and the change to a moisture-retaining ceramic pot. Here is what to do: Water Less Often: The ceramic pot keeps the soil wetter. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Make sure the drainage hole is clear and empty any excess water from the tray immediately. Monitor New Leaves: The existing spots won't heal, but if the new growth comes in clean, you've fixed the issue! Your tree is adjusting well, just fine-tune the watering! That's a beautiful tree! The new growth is a great sign that your Ficus likes its new pot. The small, dark spots are likely Edema (Oedema) or a minor leaf spot issue, both usually caused by inconsistent watering and the change to a moisture-retaining ceramic pot. Here is what to do: Water Less Often: The ceramic pot keeps the soil wetter. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Make sure the drainage hole is clear and empty any excess water from the tray immediately. Monitor New Leaves: The existing spots won't heal, but if the new growth comes in clean, you've fixed the issue! Your tree is adjusting well, just fine-tune the watering! Hello Mimi, That's a beautiful, mature Ficus Benjamina! It's completely normal for a tree that size to take a bit of time to adjust after a major change like repotting, especially moving from a porous terracotta to a non-porous ceramic pot. Here's my analysis of the situation: 1. The Leaf Spots The small, reddish-brown or dark spots on the older leaves, particularly after a repotting and change in watering, strongly suggest Edema (also called Oedema) or a minor Leaf Spot Fungus likely triggered by the watering change. Edema: This is not a pest or disease, but a physiological response. It happens when the roots take up water faster than the leaves can transpire (release) it. The excess pressure bursts cell walls, creating these spots, often on older leaves. Cause: Moving from terracotta (which "breathes" and wicks away moisture) to ceramic (which retains moisture) means the soil is staying wetter for longer. The roots may be temporarily taking up too much water. Leaf Spot Fungus: A minor fungal infection can also be triggered by leaves staying wet for too long (perhaps from splashing during watering or high humidity with poor air circulation), especially when the plant is a bit stressed from repotting. 2. The New Growth The fact that your tree is shooting out new growth is a fantastic sign! It means the tree is establishing itself in the new pot, the roots are happy, and it's putting energy into recovery. This suggests the issue with the spots is minor and likely temporary. 3. Recommended Plan I suggest a few simple adjustments: Adjust Watering (Crucial): Since the ceramic pot holds water, be very careful not to overwater. Only water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Use a moisture meter or stick your finger deep into the soil. When you do water, give it a thorough soak until water runs out the drainage hole, then empty the catch tray immediately so the roots aren't sitting in water. Monitor the Spots: The affected leaves will not heal, but they are still helping the plant. If the spots stop appearing on the new growth, you've solved the problem. You can safely prune off the most unsightly older leaves if you wish. Ensure Air Circulation: If the leaf spots continue, ensure the plant has good airflow around it (but not a cold draft). This helps keep the leaves dry and discourages fungal growth. In summary: It sounds like you are doing a great job, and the tree is recovering nicely. Focus on adjusting the watering for the ceramic pot, and the spots should stop forming.
1 likeThank you so very much for your reply. I recently added a grow bulb to my lamp and I thought maybe it was too much too fast for the ficus but I think you’re correct about the edema. Drain hole on the deeper ceramic pot is smaller than the one in the breathable terracotta pot I had the tree in previously. Thanks for saying she’s beautiful, I think so too. I just let her do what she wants! 🙏🏽
It could be thrips. I am currently dealing with some on my plants and they are tough suckers to get rid of. They hide on the bottoms of the leaves and bite/suck the sap out of the plant. They end up leaving these dry spots/holes
0 likes