The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) is a highly sought-after houseplant, known for its dramatic, large, violin-shaped leaves. This tropical tree can be temperamental, often growing tall and spindly indoors if left unchecked. Pruning is a necessary practice used to control the plant’s size, eliminate damaged foliage, and actively encourage the robust, bushy growth that transforms a tall stalk into a full, tree-like specimen.
Preparing for the Prune
Timing is an important factor when planning significant cuts. The plant should be pruned during its active growth period, which typically occurs from late winter into early spring and throughout the summer months. Pruning during this time ensures the plant has the energy and light necessary to heal quickly and push out new growth. Making major cuts during the plant’s slower, dormant period in fall or winter is discouraged because recovery will be significantly delayed.
Before making any cuts, gather your tools, which should include a pair of sharp bypass pruners or shears for clean incisions. The integrity of the stem tissue depends on a swift, precise cut, which dull tools cannot provide. It is equally important to sterilize your cutting tools before you begin and between plants to prevent the transmission of common plant pathogens.
A simple and effective sterilization method involves wiping the blades with 70% isopropyl alcohol, which should remain in contact with the surface for at least 30 seconds. This step is important because the Fiddle Leaf Fig’s thick, latex-rich stems can seal poorly, leaving the cut vulnerable to infection. Ensure any sap or debris is cleaned off the blade first, as organic matter can shield pathogens from the sterilizing agent.
Specific Trimming Methods for Growth and Shape
Pruning starts with health and maintenance, which involves removing any dead, diseased, or damaged material. Leaves with large brown spots or entire branches that are brittle should be completely removed to redirect the plant’s energy toward healthy growth. When removing a damaged branch, the cut should be made cleanly back to the main trunk or just above a healthy leaf node.
The primary goal of trimming for shape is to overcome apical dominance—the tendency for the main vertical stem to grow more strongly than side stems, controlled by the hormone auxin. To control height and encourage a bushier canopy, perform an apical cut by snipping off the terminal bud and the new growth directly below it. The cut should be placed just above a leaf node, which is the slightly raised point on the stem where a leaf was attached. Removing the apical bud stops the downward flow of auxin, signaling the dormant buds below the cut to sprout new lateral branches.
To stimulate new branches without sacrificing height, a technique known as “notching” can be employed. Notching involves using a sterilized, sharp blade to make a small, horizontal incision into the stem just above a dormant node. This cut should go about one-third of the way around the stem and no more than one-third of the way deep. The incision acts as a temporary physical barrier, disrupting the downward movement of auxin at that specific point. This interruption tricks the dormant bud located immediately below the notch into activating, causing it to develop into a new branch.
Immediate Aftercare and Using Cuttings
Immediately following any cut, the Fiddle Leaf Fig will exude a milky white substance known as latex sap. This sap contains compounds that are mildly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. It is recommended to wear gloves during the entire pruning process to prevent irritation.
Gently wipe away the bleeding sap with a clean, damp cloth until the wound stops dripping, which helps the plant form a protective callous. After a major pruning session, the plant’s overall leaf surface area is reduced, meaning it will lose less moisture through transpiration. As a result, the plant’s watering schedule should be adjusted to a less frequent rate to prevent the soil from remaining saturated.
Healthy stems and leaves removed during the process can be utilized for propagation to grow new plants. Cuttings that contain at least one leaf and one node can be placed in water or a rooting medium. Providing the cuttings with adequate light and warmth encourages the dormant cells to develop into roots, transforming the trimmed material into a new Fiddle Leaf Fig.