If you just let your Fiddle Leaf Fig do its own thing, you’ll often end up with a tall, lanky giant. While that might work for some high-ceiling corners, it can get awkward fast—especially if the lower leaves start dropping off, leaving you with a “lollipop” look that’s hard to fix later. The secret to a lush, full plant? Learning how to encourage branching early on.
Branching Your Fiddle Leaf Fig in Early Spring
Timing is everything! Early spring is the absolute best time to prune for branching. As the main growing season kicks in, the plant is practically bursting with energy to put out new growth. This ensures those “surgical” cuts you make are quickly hidden by fresh green leaves, and your plant will start taking on that beautiful, bushy shape in no time.
Which Plants Are Ready for a Trim?
Branching works best on younger plants where the tips are still soft and green (not yet woody). If you’ve just bought a young plant or propagated one yourself, don’t be afraid to get to work early. Once a stem has become fully woody and “barked over,” it’s much harder to coax new growth from it. If you have an older, leggy plant that is losing leaves at the bottom, a great trick is to plant a few new cuttings at its base. You usually won’t even need a much larger pot, and it fills out the look perfectly!
How to Pinch Back Your Fiddle Leaf Fig
Before you start pruning, let’s talk tools. You’ll want a very sharp, sterilized knife or shears. Clean, smooth cuts are vital because jagged or dirty wounds are an open door for bacteria and pests.
- Cut off the very tip of the main stem (the terminal bud).
- If your plant already has multiple branches, trim all the tips.
- Or, choose specific stems to prune to create the shape you want.
What to Do With the Cuttings?
Don’t let those trimmings go to waste! If your cuttings are about 6 inches long, you’ve got perfect “tip cuttings” for new plants. Dip the cut ends in warm water for a moment to stop the milky sap from flowing. Once the end has dried/calloused slightly, plant it in some high-quality potting soil. Keep the pot in a bright spot at around 75°F (25°C). Keep the soil moist, or better yet, pop a clear plastic bag over the cutting to create a mini-greenhouse.
Pro Tip:
If you don’t need more plants and aren’t giving the cuttings away, toss them in the trash immediately. That milky sap is mildly toxic and can be a skin irritant. It’s always a smart move to wear gloves whenever you’re pruning your Fiddle Leaf Fig!
