The genus Ficus includes popular houseplants like the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and the Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica). Propagating them from stem cuttings is the most common and straightforward technique. This process, known as vegetative propagation, allows you to clone your favorite specimen, resulting in a genetically identical new plant.
Selecting and Preparing the Cutting
Take cuttings during the active growing season, typically late spring through summer, when the plant is putting out new growth and temperatures are warm. Select a healthy stem, free from pests or disease, that has transitioned to semi-hardwood. The cutting should be four to six inches long and include at least three leaf nodes.
Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to make a single, clean cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node. Ficus plants contain latex sap, a milky, sticky substance that will immediately begin to ooze. Since this sap can be mildly irritating, wear gloves and gently pat the cut end with a paper towel until the flow slows.
To prepare the cutting, remove all but the top one or two leaves to reduce water lost through transpiration. If the remaining leaves are very large, cut them in half horizontally to conserve moisture. Finally, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, which encourages root development and is helpful for the woodier tissue of Ficus.
Rooting the Cuttings
Ficus cuttings can be rooted in water or planted directly into a rooting medium. Water propagation allows for easy observation of root development. To root in water, place the prepared cutting into a clear container of clean, room-temperature water, ensuring at least one node is fully submerged.
Change the water weekly to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth that could cause the stem to rot. If rooting in soil, use a light, well-draining mix, such as perlite and peat moss, to ensure proper aeration. Plant the cutting deep enough to bury the bottom node, then gently firm the medium around the stem.
Regardless of the method, the cuttings need a warm environment with bright, indirect light to encourage root growth. Maintaining high humidity is also beneficial. Achieve this by placing a clear plastic bag or a humidity dome over the pot to create a greenhouse effect. The ideal temperature range for rooting is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Establishing the New Plant
Root formation usually takes four to six weeks, though the timeline can vary depending on the Ficus species. A reliable sign of successful rooting is the appearance of new leaf growth at the tip of the cutting. If rooted in water, the cutting is ready for soil once the roots are two to four inches long.
The transition from water to soil requires careful management since water roots are structurally different from soil roots. When potting up, use a small container only slightly larger than the root ball, filled with a standard houseplant potting mix amended with perlite. For the first few weeks, keep the soil consistently moist to allow the delicate water roots to acclimate to the denser medium.
The newly potted plant should remain in bright, indirect light. Gradually reduce the humidity by venting the plastic dome or bag over several days. Once the cutting is fully established in the soil, transition it to a regular watering schedule, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.