The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) has become a highly sought-after houseplant due to its large, violin-shaped foliage. While beautiful, this tropical tree is a vigorous grower that can quickly outgrow its indoor space. Regular pruning is a necessary practice for maintaining the plant’s health, controlling its size, and sculpting it into a desirable tree-like form. Cutting back the fig helps redirect the plant’s energy, encouraging dense leaf production and the development of lateral branches for a fuller, more balanced appearance.
Essential Preparation and Timing for Pruning
The timing of a major cutback significantly impacts the plant’s recovery and new growth response. Schedule any heavy pruning for the late winter or early spring, just before or at the start of the plant’s active growing season. Performing the cuts during this period ensures the plant has the maximum amount of light and energy to dedicate toward healing the wounds and pushing out new foliage.
Before making any cuts, assess the fig’s overall health, looking for any damaged, diseased, or discolored leaves that should be removed. Use sharp pruning shears or loppers that are the correct size for the stem being cut to ensure a clean, quick cut that minimizes trauma to the plant tissue. Sterilizing the blades with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution is a necessary step to prevent the introduction or spread of any pathogens or fungi into the fresh wounds.
Techniques for Controlling Height and Shape
The strategy for cutting back a Fiddle Leaf Fig depends on whether the goal is to reduce height or encourage side branching. Removing height involves a technique known as a heading cut, where the main stem is cut back to a desired point. When making this cut, always aim to cut about half an inch above a growth node, which is the slight bump on the stem where a leaf emerges. Cutting just above this dormant bud forces the plant’s energy to that spot, causing the node to activate and produce new branches.
Thinning cuts focus on selectively removing entire branches that are growing inward, crossing other branches, or appear weak or damaged. This kind of pruning improves air circulation throughout the canopy, which is important for preventing fungal issues and pests. When thinning, cut the branch back to the main trunk or to a healthy, outward-facing side branch. Removing a maximum of 10 leaves at one time is a good general guideline to prevent the plant from going into shock.
A technique called notching can be used to promote lateral branching without sacrificing the plant’s height. Notching involves making a small, shallow cut into the stem, typically no more than one-third of the way through the diameter, just above a dormant node. This precise injury disrupts the downward flow of the growth-suppressing hormone auxin, signaling the dormant bud below to activate and grow a new branch. This allows for precision in choosing exactly where new growth will appear on a leggy stem.
Immediate Aftercare and Encouraging New Growth
After the cut has been made, the Fiddle Leaf Fig will exude a milky white substance known as latex sap. This sap is mildly irritating and can be toxic if ingested, so gloves are recommended. Any drips should be wiped immediately from the plant and surrounding surfaces. Gently blot the sap from the wound with a clean cloth or paper towel until the flow slows down. The plant’s own biological process will naturally form a protective callus over the wound.
The recovery environment is crucial for successful healing and the development of new buds. Place the fig in a location that receives abundant bright, indirect light, as this energy source is needed to fuel the healing process and the subsequent surge of growth. A south- or east-facing window with filtered light is often ideal.
The plant’s watering schedule should be carefully monitored during this recovery phase. New growth requires moisture, but the plant’s overall water demand is temporarily reduced because it has less foliage to support. Allow the top 50 to 75 percent of the soil to dry out completely between thorough waterings. Overwatering can quickly lead to root rot. Providing a boost of fertilizer during the growing season can also help the plant recover more quickly and push out healthy new shoots.
Using Cuttings for Propagation
The healthy sections of stem removed during the pruning process offer an opportunity to propagate new Fiddle Leaf Fig plants. Successful propagation requires a cutting that includes at least one or two leaf nodes, as the new roots and shoots will emerge from these points. Cuttings that are about six to eight inches long with two to three healthy leaves at the tip are considered ideal. Any leaves that would sit below the water or soil line must be removed to prevent rot.
There are two primary methods for rooting the cuttings: water and soil propagation. For the water method, the prepared cutting is placed in a clear container of fresh water, ensuring the nodes are submerged. The water should be changed weekly to maintain oxygenation and prevent bacterial growth. For soil propagation, the cut end is often dipped in a powdered rooting hormone to stimulate root development before being placed in a well-draining potting mix.
Soil-rooted cuttings benefit significantly from high humidity, which can be achieved by covering the pot and cutting with a clear plastic bag or dome. Both methods require a warm location with bright, indirect light to encourage root formation. While water rooting allows visible monitoring of root growth, soil rooting often results in a more robust root system that experiences less transplant shock when permanently potted.