Figs are deciduous trees.

Is that your way of saying "this is normal"?

It isn't normal at this time of year. Figs have pretty good built-in calendars, and unless you are fiddling with light, day length and such it shouldn't be happening.
But it isn't clear what IS happening. Was the leaf drop sudden, or did they look wilty, get dry then drop?
If it was sudden, it sounds like the plant might have been shocked. Did someone open the window on a cold day (or something else unusual)?

vmzral,
I wouldn't worry too much. I kept my first Fig tree indoors as a potted plant. That was before I learned that they should go dormant and have a rest. Mine would loose all its leaves about this time of year just before it was warm enough to put outside. The first time it happened I thought it was dead but after being outside for just a little while it put out new leaves and figs. So don't give up, just wait a little bit and see what happens.

Fignut,

The leaves got crunchy... and then dropped. Nothing unusual has happened lately that could shock it.

Upon further investigation, there is no soil-borne mealy bugs; no root rot; and yes, it is green and still alive when you scratch the bark.

It is currently basking under my grow light... but it hasn't been up until now.

Any guesses?

My experience is with outdoor figs only. Peg919 has experience with indoor figs - I'd say she and randomname are right, and I was wrong.

"Figs are deciduous trees."

Not in warmer climates! As a matter of fact, Brown Turkey (same variety as Vmzral's fig) is one of the most popular varieties grown in Hawaii, where they are not deciduous but do just fine.

brandon7, I hate to disagree with you but Ficus caria is classified as a deciduous tree and in my opinion may display semi-deciduous characteristics in tropical climates. I don't know of any credible literature that describes Ficus Caria as an evergreen.

The process of losing leaves is called abscission. In the case of the majority of the lower 48, leaf loss coincides with winter. However, in other areas of the world, plants lose their leaves during the dry season or during other seasonal variations in rainfall.

I think that vmzral experienced one of those triggers while growing his/her fig indoors and the plant went dormant.

I hope vmzral follows up this post with the rest of the story when it becomes known.

Here is a link that might be useful: California Rare Fruit Growers ficus carica

In (semi)/tropical regions, the F.carica is known to
ramdomly and BRIEFLY shed the leaves in a (semi?)
dormant state. NO, F.c is not an evergreen tree...

I would like to add my opinion,that this fig got tired for not be given a dormancy time and it could very well get so weack that the plant will die.
I would like to say to the main poster,that if it has conditions,to keep it dormant in the winter time ,like an basement,then do so and the fig will grow much stronger and produce ripe fruits too,when brought inside(grow lights) at the begining of Spring,20th,of March.
Not all Fig cultivars can survive without dormancy,and all of them benefit from it.
H

I saved this fig tree from Lowes. He was on the floor at the end of summer, I felt bad for him so i paid $5 and took him home. He was doing great!! sooo many new leaves i was sooo happy not now its wilting why???? im so sad i wanna safe him and bring him back...but how????

Elaine, wilting leaves can be due to not enough water - or too much. Did you put your fig into a new (bigger) pot?