Every time a new leaf pops up at the tip of a Fiddle Leaf Fig, it’s a cause for celebration. Let’s be real: the more of those gorgeous, violin-shaped leaves it has, the better it looks in your living room. Cutting them off feels almost painful! But is skipping the shears actually the best move for your plant?
Three Reasons to Reach for the Pruners
The Fiddle Leaf Fig (or *Ficus lyrata* if you want to get fancy) is a sturdy grower that does just fine without constant grooming. Because it grows straight up, it can get pretty tall if it’s happy with its light and water. Over the course of its (hopefully very long) life, there are a few times when you’ll definitely want to grab your scissors:
- Your plant is getting too tall for the room
- You want a young plant to branch out and look fuller
- You want to take cuttings to grow new baby figs
Shortening a Tall Fiddle Leaf Fig
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is starting to stage a takeover of your ceiling, it’s time for a haircut. The best time to do this is in the spring—just cut the stems back to your desired height. A quick pro-tip: always use sharp, sterilized tools. If you use dull or dirty blades, you risk fraying the stem or introducing bacteria that can make your plant sick. Also, make sure to wear gloves! The milky sap inside the stems is mildly toxic and can be a real skin irritant.
Encouraging Your Fig to Branch Out
Left to its own devices, a Fiddle Leaf Fig often grows as one single, long stalk. Sometimes it might branch out on its own, but it rarely gets that lush, bushy look without a little help. Plus, indoor plants have a habit of dropping lower leaves, which can leave the bottom looking a bit “leggy” or bare. That’s why I recommend encouraging branching while the plant is still young.
- Start branching your fig while it’s still on the younger side
- Early spring is the absolute best time to do this
- Only snip off the soft, green tips (semi-woody stems)
- Older, fully woody stems are much less likely to sprout new growth
Quick Tip:
Don’t throw those trimmings away! The tips you cut off make perfect “head cuttings” that you can use to propagate brand-new plants.
Taking Cuttings for Propagation
While you can grow these from seed, it’s nearly impossible to get seeds from a Fiddle Leaf Fig kept indoors. If you want to expand your collection without heading to the nursery, cuttings are the way to go. Snip off a green, non-woody tip about 6 inches long. Dip the cut end in warm water for a moment to stop the sap from leaking everywhere. Then, just pop the cutting into some seed-starting soil and keep it in a warm, bright spot until it roots.
