If you live in the Southeastern U.S. or any region with warm, humid summers, chances are your fig tree will encounter a little rust now and then. Don’t panic—it’s not unusual, it’s not fatal, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
Let’s talk about fig rust, what it is, what it looks like, and why it’s really not a big deal—especially if your tree is otherwise healthy and producing fruit.
What Is Fig Rust?
Fig rust is a fungal disease (Cerotelium fici) that commonly affects fig trees in humid climates. It typically appears in late summer to early fall, especially after long stretches of rain or high humidity.
You’ll recognize it by:
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Small yellow to orange spots on the upper side of the leaves
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Rusty reddish-brown pustules on the underside
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Eventual yellowing and leaf drop, particularly from the lower branches up
Why It Happens (Especially in the Southeast)
Fig rust thrives in warm, moist environments—which makes places like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and coastal Texas ideal for it to appear. Even brief periods of humid weather can create perfect conditions for spores to spread.
If your fig tree is planted in a spot with limited airflow, shaded lower limbs, or overhead watering, you may notice symptoms even sooner.
Does It Harm the Tree or Fruit?
Nope. Not really.
While it can look dramatic—especially when your tree starts dropping leaves in mid to late summer—fig rust rarely affects the fruit, and it won’t kill your tree.
You might see:
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Slightly earlier fruit ripening
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A little less photosynthesis due to fewer leaves
Even the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension emphasizes that this is mostly cosmetic and not worth worrying over. As they put it:
"Fortunately, fig rust is more of a cosmetic issue and does not significantly harm the tree. Most of the time, the tree will recover on its own without any major intervention."
— UF/IFAS Extension Marion County
That’s the official word—and it matches what we see every season in customer gardens across the South. Overall, a mature, well-established fig tree will bounce back just fine next season.
What You Can Do About It (And When to Ignore It)
In many cases, fig rust doesn’t need treatment—especially if it occurs late in the season after fruit has developed. However, if you’d like to minimize future issues, here are a few simple practices:
✅ Good Practices for Prevention & Control:
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Prune for airflow: Thin out interior branches in winter
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Rake up and discard dropped leaves in the fall (don’t compost them)
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Avoid overhead watering, especially in the evenings
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Apply a copper fungicide in spring if your tree is heavily affected year after year
But again—in most cases, no treatment is necessary.
📦 What If My Fig Tree Arrives With Leaf Spots or Dropping Leaves?
If your new fig tree arrives with some spotted leaves or is already beginning to shed them, don’t be alarmed—this is not uncommon during shipping, especially if the tree was grown in or shipped from a humid environment like the Southeast.
Even if you're in a drier or cooler region, fig rust may still show up on early-season leaves, particularly if the tree was recently exposed to high humidity at the nursery or during transit.
✨ Here's what to know:
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It does not mean the tree is unhealthy or won’t thrive.
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Rust is superficial and typically resolves as the tree adapts to your local environment.
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Once planted and established in your climate, the tree will put out new, healthy growth—often without any signs of rust.
If you're unsure, gently remove affected leaves, provide good sun exposure and airflow, and allow the tree to adjust. It’s incredibly resilient and will bounce back beautifully with a little time and care.
A Note of Reassurance
If your fig tree is suddenly dropping leaves, but the fruit looks fine, and you’re in a humid part of the country—this is normal. It’s called seasonal fig rust, and it’s just part of fig-growing in the South.
Your tree is likely healthy. It’s doing what fig trees do: adjusting to moisture, surviving heat, and getting ready to rest for fall.
So keep watering, enjoy the harvest, and know that next year’s growth will return with the same energy as always.
Want to Grow Your Own Fig Tree?
At Plant Me Green, we offer container-grown fig trees shipped right to your door—perfectly suited for Southeastern climates.
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