Propagating a Ficus Benjamini (commonly known as a Weeping Fig) is actually super easy using cuttings. If you’ve ever wanted to turn one plant into a whole family of figs, you’re in the right place! I’ll walk you through how to grab the right cuttings and grow them into healthy new houseplants.
The Propagation Process
To propagate your Ficus Benjamini, there are really just two main phases:
- First, you’ll need to snip off the right kind of cuttings.
- Then, you’ll help those cuttings sprout their own roots.
The cool thing about this method is that your new baby plants will be genetic clones of the mother plant, so they’ll have all those same beautiful characteristics you already love.
Taking Your Cuttings
The best time to do this is in the spring, and you can actually combine this with your regular Ficus Benjamini pruning. Look for young, green shoots that haven’t turned woody yet. Snip off pieces about 4 to 6 inches long that have a few leaves on them. Strip off the bottom leaves, leaving just one or two pairs at the top. Since these plants bleed a milky sap, pop the cuttings into a glass of water for a few minutes to let them “bleed out” before planting.
A Pro Tip
I highly recommend doing your cutting outdoors if you can. That sticky sap can be a pain to get out of carpets or off furniture! Once you’re done, give the mother plant a quick rinse with some lukewarm, filtered water to clean off any sap on the leaves. If you’re working indoors, just have some paper towels handy to dab the “wounds” on the main plant immediately.
Rooting Your Cuttings
Now it’s time to get those roots growing. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Fill some small starter pots with seed-starting mix (or a 50/50 blend of peat and sand).
- Poke the cuttings into the soil—about two-thirds of the stem should be underground—and give them a good misting.
- Cover the pots with a clear plastic bag or dome to create a mini-greenhouse effect. Place them somewhere warm and bright, like a sunny windowsill.
- Once you see new growth and the roots feel sturdy, you can move your new little figs into their own permanent pots.
A Quick Tip for Green Varieties
If you have a solid green Ficus Benjamini (rather than a variegated one), you can actually root them right in a glass of water! Just use boiled water that has cooled down and set the glass on a warm windowsill. It’s really fun because you can actually watch the roots grow through the glass!
