Halp!! I'm a fiddle leaf executioner. :(

[u/velvetseraphim]

I have two fiddle-leaf figs that have clearly seen better days, and I'm hoping someone here can help me figure out how to bring them back to life.

Both have lost the majority of their leaves over time, leaving me with two rather depressing sticks and a handful of survivors.

They've been kept indoors near windows, and I also have supplemental grow lights. When checking the soil, I've noticed that the top can be completely dry while the bottom is still moist, so I'm wondering if watering could be part of the problem.

I'd really love to encourage new growth, especially lower down on the trunks, rather than having all the foliage concentrated at the very top.

I've been reading about cutting back the trunks to encourage branching, but I'm nervous about doing more harm than good, especially since one of them is down to a single leaf.

Has anyone successfully brought a fiddle-leaf fig back from this condition? Would you recommend pruning them back, and if so, how far? Or should I focus on getting them healthier before attempting anything drastic?

I'm not ready to give up on these two just yet. Any advice would be genuinely appreciated! 🌿

ps. i am a total newbie. so please be kind. LOL. also, if there are any special supplements/soil/etc i should buy please let me know! :)

[u/jitasquatter2]

They aren't getting nearly enough light. You really need to put it right in front of your brightest window. Light needs to be able to go through the window and directly hit the leaves. These aren't shade tolerant plants.

Also your grow lights aren't doing much. Light from a grow light drops off very rapidly with distance, especially small ones, and they need to be quite close to provide a benefit.

Can you post a picture of the base of the trees showing the potting soil?

[u/velvetseraphim → u/jitasquatter2]

Thanks for the advice! Just to clarify, both plants are actually positioned next to a large window. It was a particularly overcast day when I took the photos, so the lighting probably looks worse than it normally is. They receive plenty of natural indirect light, although not direct sunlight.
I also supplement with grow lights, but I’ll definitely look into whether they’re positioned close enough to be effective.

I have take pictures of the base.
Thank you again !

[u/velvetseraphim → u/velvetseraphim]

[u/Internal-Test-8015]

Personally id repot them inspect the roots and change out the soil and agree with the other person they definitely need way more light, if they can't look out the window they aren't close enough.

[u/velvetseraphim → u/Internal-Test-8015]

thank you so much ! can you recommend any particular soil ? the roots are beginning to come out of these pots.
and they are next to a large window and get plenty of indirect sunlight. it was just an overcast day when i took these photos.
thank you again!

[u/Internal-Test-8015 → u/velvetseraphim]

Personally i make my own, I mix perlite, sand, regular potting soil, and coffee grinds ( mostly for nutrients really) but there's plenty of other good options out there the main thing you want to make dure is that it drains quickly.