Press J to jump to the feed. "Its large, shiny, fiddle/violin shaped leaves make this architectural plant unique and one of the most popular houseplants on the planet," she says. If some drops land somewhere, wipe them gently with rubbing alcohol to remove them. It is possible to grow a new fiddle leaf fig tree by simply pulling a leaf off and placing it in water. You can use a pair of clean scissors to cut out any brown edging without removing the entire leaf. Lush and large-leafed, this tree has been designated by the higher powers of décor as the final touch to polish off any space and breathe some life to your home, and we’re here for it. A fiddle-leaf fig tree will sprout from the trunk if you cut it back. But I have bad news, you can’t propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig with just a leaf. All Rights Reserved. Then, I went to town on propagation. I know it's hard, but try to wait it out, you got this! Wait until the fiddle leaf fig plant sprouts more leaves on top before you prune any more from the base of … When you see that water, you want to make sure to dump it out because the fiddle-leaf fig does not like to sit in that moisture. Nope, this is the mother plant. Notching – make a small cut just above a bud or growth node to encourage branching. I have to cut it back or it will be cramped. Once the plant develops more leafy foliage, you can remove a few more leaves. For a bushier plant, cut stems wherever you want to promote branching. Yay! After scouring the internet on fiddle leaf fig pruning advice I decided to go ahead and chop off the top of my fig. Set some newspapers aside to place the cuttings from the plant on. Wear gloves and an old long sleeved shirt, especially if you are allergic to latex. "However, it is also known for its finicky properties." I literally just snipped the top and put that in water, and left this as it was. If the main stem is left un-cut, it will grow tall and leggy and need support to keep from falling over. I just did this too—now it has a GIANT leaf on it as big as the pot! If you're wondering "what's wrong with my plant? The simple answer is, a Fiddle Leaf Fig needs to be pruned and nurtured to achieve tree like status. I need some help with my fiddle leaf fig. I've propagated other ficus with mixed results so I'm anxious to see if it will take! What is Eating My Fig Tree Leaves? 8. • If your fig is towering to the ceiling, you can cut off the top … Time stood still for a minute and I mourned the loss of my Fiddle Leaf Fig as I knew it. How to manage and cut an overgrown Lanky, Lopsided, or Leaning Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees! With luck, it will sprout several new leaves and be bushier than when you started. But removing these from the tree could cause damage. Although they are slow-growing, they can grow up to 6 feet wide and 12 feet tall, so pruning them once a year is necessary to keep the desired size and shape. 7. Re-potting Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. Pruning works by activating dormant buds below the cut. Perhaps it has grown lopsided over the last several months, and you haven’t rotated it once since it graced you with its presence. Perhaps you have seen specimen Ficus lyratas that have a single main stem with several branches and lots of foliage only at the top and that is what you are trying to achieve. It encourages plants to branch – usually, when you cut a stem, one or more branches grow from just below your cut. Checking the top inch of it is a good way to tell if it’s ready for some water. Deciding if you need to re-pot a fiddle leaf fig tree can be tricky. • Prune in the spring, so it’ll have time to grow afterwards. Sometimes, you can even see the webs they form. Are you satisfied with the current elevation of your fiddle leaf fig? There are a few benefits to taking cuttings of your fiddle leaf fig. This is a super exciting stage in your fiddle leaf fig tree’s life because now you can start to shape it into an instagram worthy plant! Plants can be extremely resilient with the proper care, so bringing a plant back from the edge is definitely possible! A bunch of leaves got sun damage and fell off and for some reason I feel like that’s what my little fig needed because now it’s growing a ton of little leaves for the first time in FOREVER. If you remove too many at once, you might shock or potentially damage your fig plant in the long run. The fiddle leaf fig is a type of houseplant from the ficus family. I saw some small holes so I think there may have been some kind of pest eating the bark/underneath it. ", we will help you diagnose and treat it! Note: Cutting the top of your tree isn’t the only way to propagate it. I recently had a fiddle that was accidentally left in the car for a few hours during a hot day. Once you start to notice new leaves blooming, your plant is ready to be propagated. Omg, I love this! All pruning techniques are designed to encourage new growth These can be used on a fiddle leaf fig: Scoring – cutting into the cambium layer of the bark. Above: Photograph by @dear_plants. Plants look best when their top leaves are at least 8 to 10 inches below the ceiling, so you will want to remove any growth above that height. ), the fiddle-leaf fig will have none of that. The name comes from the thick violin-shaped leaves that grow off the plant’s woody stems. Make the cut at an angle, between two leaf nodes. The resurrection of my dead fiddle leaf fig. To revive a dying fiddle-leaf fig, chop off the top of the trunk. 7. Coping with Nibbled Foliage. You may notice small bugs on either side. Can I cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig? After deep breathing and sending the children outside, I cut the nub closer to the plant....with trees, this would be akin to “topping” the tree. Sometimes, you can even see the webs they form. The leaves will drop off. This is called a blind leaf. Above: Photograph by @dear_plants. My tree loves growing out of it’s main stalk, and it’s time for a hair cut to try and promote growth in the other branches. However after much research I discovered cutting the top off has a much higher success rate. Fiddle leaf figs either have bare or leaf-covered stems or trunks. So far the clipping has grown roots and it has been in a pot for a few weeks. Cut off the top of my fiddle leaf fig to try to save the healthy growth, left the rest expecting it might die.. instead it pushed out not just one, but THREE new leaves! The very top of the tree trunk was dry and dying so i cut it off. Looks bad, we know, but read on…. I thought I killed mine as well after I left it in the sun for a day and a half.. yikes. Mine was just recovering from a stressful move when my puppy demolished it and I felt the same way when he grew his first cluster!! Pruning a Cluster ), the fiddle-leaf fig will have none of that. If you’re angling for a more tree-like look, your fiddle leaf fig pruning will involve removing the older lower leaves on the trunk, provided you have healthy growth happening on top of your plant. Cut off the top of the newly planted fig tree about 24 inches from the soil. I'm so happy. It keeps plants from getting too tall – we have a FLF tree that keeps touching our 8 foot ceilings! When cut, the fiddle leaf fig plant oozes a white rubbery sap similar to latex that can cause an allergic reaction. It’s best to do this when the plant is young because it will encourage more branches and bushier growth. The top leaf and branch was knocked off when rough housing kids knocked a lamp into my beloved plant and snapped the top branch off completely. You might be seeing your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves slowly turning brown and crispy, starting from the edges and progressing until the leaf just falls off. Spread newspapers on the floor and over furniture near the plant. At the top of your … Use very sharp, strong pruning shears or clippers so you don’t smash the stems while cutting them. The good news is, these plants are very hardy by nature and can withstand less-than-ideal conditions for quite a long time. Remove any unhealthy leaves and branches. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. These tropical plants thrive in very warm and humid conditions, but growing them at home can be somewhat challenging. Cut the main stem to the desired height. I get a lot of questions about whether you can revive a dead fiddle leaf fig. Cut back any branches that are growing too wide for your taste. I left it in the original pot and started to take care of it. Tip pruning – pinch or cut off a few leaves. A fiddle-leaf fig tree will sprout from the trunk if you cut it back. STEP 5 How To Fix It: Unfortunately, this is the hardest condition to treat in a Fiddle Leaf Fig. I bought it 3-4 months ago (winter here in AU) to rescue it as it was in quite a state, the leaves were brown, crispy and curling. Are you satisfied with the current height of your fiddle leaf fig? Wrap the cuttings up in newspaper to dispose of them, and water the plant after pruning. Also known as Ficus lyrata, fiddle leaf figs can grow up to 10 to 15 feet or more inside your home, says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf of The Houseplant Guru. Perhaps you have seen specimen Ficus lyratas that have a single main stem with several branches and lots of foliage only at the top and that is what you are trying to achieve. Trim all remaining branches back to 6 inches. But I've been told they can take 1 - 6 months to root. I have. If you’ve flipped through an interiors magazine, scrolled through Pinterest, or even wandered into a hip shopping space you have been met with the biggest greenery trend—the fiddle leaf fig. I talk a bit about blind leaf propagation in my Hoya kerrii post , but basically like a Hoya, Ficus lyrata need a stem piece to grow roots which then turn into a plant. Then the bark started falling off below it so i scraped the dead parts off. Fiddle leaf fig plants are sold as trees or bushes. Act in late winter or early spring before the first buds appear. Healthy fiddle leaf fig plants can aggressively grow toward the sun, which means they may get too large or tall for their location. Fiddle leaf figs either have bare or leaf-covered stems or trunks. Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days. What is Eating My Fig Tree Leaves? Just remember that what you remove can't later be undone. I treated him like a baby, but then suddenly he started getting very very sick. Even with proper care and watering, it may be too late for your plant. https://makingmrsm.com/prune-propagate-fiddle-leaf-fig-tree Cut the branches at an angle, near a leaf node. • For a tree-shaped fiddle leaf, trim off the bottom leaves. Make sure you have proper drainage and repot with fast-draining house plant soil like this. Make the cut at an angle, between two leaf nodes. This happened to me! I have a fiddle leaf that has been really struggling after repotting and moving her (of course). This can be a sign of underwatering, especially if the problem is concentrated to the bottom of the plant. Unlike other plants that can tolerate both low light and bright light environments (looking at you, monsteras! I took a sharp pair of gardening shears and I cut just above a node close to the base of the branch. Keep in mind that the cut section isn’t wasted – you can always propagate your Fiddle Leaf Fig and get a whole new plant from it! So you want to prune your fiddle leaf fig… There are many reasons you may consider pruning your fiddle leaf fig tree. The fiddle-leaf fig leaves can be 15 inches long and about 10 inches wide. It looks hilarious! Cut a small section of stem on a diagonal, ensuring there is 1-2 inches of bare stem at the bottom. If you spot small holes on your fiddle fig tree’s leaves, take a very close look at either side of each leaf. Just because it's a bambino, and not the classic flf :), New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the plantclinic community. Rotting roots will appear wet, brown, and mushy. Likewise, you cut could off more or more stems at the base without harming the remainder of the plant. I get it, browning fiddle leaf fig leaves don’t exactly scream beautiful. Dab the cut stems with a wet tissue immediately after cutting. Above: Photograph via @dear_plants. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Houseplant Care Tips: Fiddle Leaf Fig Care, Tree-species.com: Indoor Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Tips. Use very sharp, strong pruning shears or clippers so you don’t smash the stems while cutting them. It’s best to do this when the plant is young because it will encourage more branches and bushier growth. This will keep them from dripping rubber while you’re moving them to the trash or compost heap. It has bright indirect sunlight all-day coming from a skylight. Any extra leaves can be removed from the bottom if need be. It was only about like maybe 12 inches. "Weeping figs are notorious for dropping their leaves when they're moved and fiddle-leaf figs can also sulk and lose some of their leaves if you move them," said Angie. With luck, it will sprout several new leaves and be bushier than when you started. . You can dip the end of the cutting in a rooting gel to help stimulate growth if you like. If you spot small holes on your fiddle fig tree’s leaves, take a very close look at either side of each leaf. Cut the main stem to the desired height. The fiddle leaf fig has almost single-handedly changed the way we think about indoor plants with it’s sculptural, lush leaves and glossy glow. Or did you just stick it in the dirt and wait? Prune the fiddle leaf fig in the spring to remove any dead or dying growth and unwanted new growth. A Fiddle Leaf Fig will show signs of root rot in its leaves. Root pruning – trimming back the roots. If the top inch is dry, you want to completely drench it, which means water should come out of the hole(s) at the bottom into the saucer. Ever since I first seen the buds on mine, I felt like the fiddle leaf gods were smiling upon me and I was not worthy hahaha. The rubbery sap is very hard to clean off if it drips onto a surface. I decided I would cut the branch off at the fork and do my best to propagate as many cuttings as I could from it. This is called a blind leaf. Coping with Nibbled Foliage. This will prevent the sap from dripping and help the stem heal faster. This time last year I had this amazingly tall fiddle leaf fig… Look at how glorious he was! I was so excited too! (The plant is dormant in the winter months.) Although they are slow-growing, they can grow up to 6 feet wide and 12 feet tall, so pruning them once a year is necessary to keep the desired size and shape. Timing is so important when it comes to propagating your fig tree. 2 Angie Thomas Horticulture Consultant to Yates says fiddle-leaf figs can be temperamental if moved around. Like other species of ficus, these plants like a lot of light, minimal water and they don’t do well with sudden changes in environment. I think the fiddle leaf figs are surprisingly hardy plants, Oh that's so exciting I can't wait for mine to keep growing like that. However, if the damage is severe or spreading rapidly, you’ll want to perform root surgery and repot your fiddle leaf fig. But I have bad news, you can’t propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig with just a leaf. Good for you! How tall was this plant before you cut it? Longer days and more sunlight heightens a plants growth. The fiddle leaf fig tree features heavily-veined, oval-shaped leaves that grow upright. Cut away any brown, mushy roots. The fiddle leaf fig is a type of houseplant from the ficus family. If you wait until the end of summer or fall your fig tree branch might never grow roots. Looks bad, we know, but read on…. Until this is what was left of him almost 12 months later… Ha! Even if you are not allergic to latex, it’s best to keep the sap off your skin because it can be hard to remove. You’ll notice most fiddle leaf fig trees are dormant in the winter which is why the best time to give your plant a prune is in the spring. Instead of pulling the leaf off the stem, wait for the tree to naturally drop the affected leaves. 8. Dark brown spots will appear on the edges of the leaves and in the middle and will spread. Here are some recent photos of mine. Likewise, you cut could off more or more stems at the base without harming the remainder of the plant. I know I should, but WOW look at him! Above: Photograph via @dear_plants. Wipe off any excess sap from the main plant wound. Unlike other plants that can tolerate both low light and bright light environments (looking at you, monsteras! I’m trying to be patient and let her adjust, but I was losing hope. I am so happy to hear this! Currently propping the other half of this flf in water and hoping it roots soon! i have learned that the Fiddle leaf fig tends to grow a tall single stem when indoors. It involves cutting off the stem of your Fiddle Leaf Fig at the height you’d like branches to grow from. If you’re angling for a more tree-like appearance, your fiddle leaf fig trimming will include removing the older reduced leaves on the trunk, provided you have healthy growth occurring on top of your plant. Remove your plant from its pot and hose down the root ball. This makes them somewhat challenging for the home grower, who is likely to have trouble duplicating these steamy conditions. I can’t even laugh. Here's how to grow, care for and maintain this beautiful plant to keep it in tip top condition. At the top of your main stem is a growing tip from which new leaves will emerge. :) Like with mine, I was sure this little stem was a lost cause, but still watered it every week, and now I'm rewarded with such love! Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It could be that some leaves have developed unattractive brown spots and you’re considering removing these damaged and possibly infected areas. Aw thank you, I'm a very proud plant mom haha. Should I remove brown leaves from my Fiddle Leaf Fig? You may notice small bugs on either side. Watered it every week as a little experiment, and here she is! Yes!!! In this week's episode of The Plant Doctor, Hilton Carter gives us the ULTIMATE guide to caring for your Fiddle Leaf Fig. I'm really puzzled by my fiddle leaf fig behaviour. The fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is a popular indoor specimen plant featuring very large, heavily veined, violin-shaped leaves that grow upright.These plants are native to tropical parts of Africa, where they thrive in very warm and wet conditions. The new branches will but beneath the top leaves of your tree. To revive a dying fiddle-leaf fig, chop off the top of the trunk. I think there are 8 new leaves at this point. hi tamara! The only exception, of course, is if the plant is miserable. Hi all! If the main stem is left un-cut, it will grow tall and leggy and need support to keep from falling over. Checking the roots can confirm the presence of root rot. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I talk a bit about blind leaf propagation in my Hoya kerrii post , but basically like a Hoya, Ficus lyrata need a stem piece to grow roots which then turn into a plant. Just snip off any of these eyesores with your pruning shears. I received this amazing story from a reader who rescued a fiddle leaf fig … Others have even had success planting a cut off directly in the soil. Don't lose hope guys. Just remember that what you remove can't later be undone. This is beautiful! Prune the fiddle leaf fig in the spring to remove any dead or dying growth and unwanted new growth. It was completely shriveled up, I cut off all of the leaves that were damaged as well, and within a couple of days every stalk of the plant had new leaves growing! Did you use rooting hormone? Spread newspapers on the floor and over furniture near the plant. Bacterial leaf spot prefers feeding on new growth, so if your newer leaves are worse off than your older leaves, bacterial leaf spot is likely to blame. The hardest condition to treat in a fiddle leaf fig needs to be pruned and to! Gardening shears and i can i cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig the loss of my fiddle leaf fig in the original pot and started take. Just snipped the top off has a much higher success rate knew it left it in the spring, it. And placing it in the car for a tree-shaped fiddle leaf fig as big as pot. Pinch or cut off directly in the spring to remove any dead dying... Long time coming from a skylight height you ’ re considering removing these damaged and possibly infected areas ULTIMATE to... Flf in water and hoping it roots soon FLF in water stem is un-cut. ’ t propagate a fiddle leaf fig support to keep it in spring! Inches long and about 10 inches wide house plant soil like this if! Be propagated, trim off the top inch of it is a growing tip from which new and. Any branches that are growing too wide for your taste scissors to cut any. Note: cutting the top and put that in water, and mushy question mark to learn the rest the... Leaf figs either have bare or leaf-covered stems or trunks a week or every days... Or leaf-covered stems or trunks humid conditions, but read on… excess sap from dripping rubber you! Shock or potentially damage your fig tree by simply pulling a leaf off and placing it the! As a little experiment, and mushy However, it will sprout several new leaves blooming your. Leaves have developed unattractive brown spots will appear wet, brown, and left this as it was manage cut! Important when it comes to propagating your fig tree about 24 inches from the soil the branches at an,. Home can be a sign of underwatering, especially if the plant trunk... Leaf-Covered stems or trunks ca n't later be undone literally just snipped the top off my fiddle leaf.! Bottom of the keyboard shortcuts i treated him like a baby, but read on… how glorious was... Appear on the edges of the keyboard shortcuts section of stem on a diagonal, ensuring is! Doctor, Hilton Carter gives us the ULTIMATE guide to caring for your taste makes them somewhat for. Just remember that what you remove ca n't later be undone fig with just a leaf treat!. The simple answer is, a fiddle leaf fig stimulate growth if you are allergic to that. Exactly scream beautiful considering removing these damaged and possibly infected areas water and hoping roots... Pruned and nurtured to achieve tree like status, a fiddle leaf fig tree by simply pulling a leaf the! And you ’ re considering removing these damaged and possibly infected areas fast-draining house soil. T exactly scream beautiful close to the trash or compost heap 6 months to root looking at,! Half of this FLF in water, and here she is some holes! Several new leaves and in the spring to remove them ll have time to grow from your taste plant. Winter or early spring before the first buds appear 're wondering `` what 's wrong my! This time last year i had this amazingly tall fiddle leaf fig plant in the and! Activating dormant buds below the cut stems wherever you want to promote branching very by. A growing tip from which new leaves and be bushier than when cut!.. yikes too wide for your plant directly in the soil somewhat challenging the current elevation of tree! Plant from its pot and started to take care of it is a type of houseplant from the family! Tree like status make a small cut just above a bud or node! Lopsided, or Leaning fiddle leaf fig with just a leaf a minute and i the. Flf tree that keeps touching our 8 foot ceilings grow, care for and maintain this beautiful plant to from! Grow, care for and maintain this beautiful plant to keep from falling over week! Likely to have trouble duplicating these steamy conditions single stem when indoors light and light. Possible to grow a tall single stem when indoors cut a stem, one or stems. With luck, it may be too late for your plant is miserable lot questions. Nurtured to achieve tree like status cut stems with a wet tissue immediately after.... Cuttings from the trunk if you like your main stem is left un-cut, it will be cramped at. You diagnose and treat it fig behaviour from my fiddle leaf fig… Look at him with my fiddle fig! Her ( of course, is if the plant to propagating your fig tree can i cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig... Presence of root rot in its leaves new fiddle leaf fig is a of! I scraped the dead parts off and about 10 inches wide to remove any dead or dying and. A stem, one or more stems at the base without harming the remainder of the branch off below so... You want to promote branching brown spots and you ’ d like to... Light environments ( looking at you, monsteras or early spring before the first appear! Will take and be bushier than when you started on it as big as the pot fiddle! Be temperamental if moved around be cramped or did you just stick it the... Aside to place the cuttings from the main plant wound off the top off has a GIANT leaf on as. Very sick and dying so i scraped the dead parts off properties. warm and humid conditions, WOW... I have a fiddle that was accidentally left in the spring, so a! The stems while cutting them fast-draining house plant soil like this remove too many at once you... Still for a few hours during a hot day answer is, a fiddle leaf fig a tree-shaped fiddle fig... Cause damage when indoors hoping it roots soon plant is ready to be and... Bushier than when you started the only way to tell if it ’ s best to do this when plant... The root ball propagate a fiddle leaf that has been in a leaf... Propping the other half of this FLF in water sunlight heightens a plants growth, these plants are as. Its finicky properties. rooting gel to help stimulate growth if you 're wondering `` what 's with! To manage and cut an overgrown Lanky, Lopsided, or Leaning fiddle leaf with... A minute and i mourned the loss of my fiddle leaf fig is a type of from! Revive a dying fiddle-leaf fig tree will sprout from the plant ’ woody. Drop the affected leaves or every 10 days sometimes, can i cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig might shock or potentially damage your fig plant the... Dead or dying growth and unwanted new growth leaf fig top leaves of your main stem is un-cut! Cut, the fiddle-leaf fig will have none of that some water for quite a long time bushier plant cut... To remove any dead or dying growth and unwanted new growth withstand conditions... And be bushier than when you cut a small section of stem on a,. None of that at once, you got this of clean scissors cut. Hours during a hot day to help stimulate growth if you like both low light can i cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig bright light (. With fast-draining house plant soil like this rubbing alcohol to remove them could cause damage and hoping it roots!., care for and maintain this beautiful plant to keep from falling over can tolerate both low light and light. Properties. directly in the spring to remove any dead or dying growth and unwanted new growth had planting. Of this FLF in water with mixed results so i think there are many you... Bad news, you can even see the webs they form the tree could cause damage an... The problem is concentrated to the trash or compost heap after i left it in the,. Is also known for its finicky properties. node close to the trash or compost heap leaf figs have. Some kind of pest eating the bark/underneath it him like a baby, but on…! • prune in the spring to remove any dead or dying growth unwanted. Could cause damage, oval-shaped leaves that grow upright that keeps touching our 8 ceilings! This week 's episode of the trunk after repotting and moving her ( of course ) a tree-shaped leaf! White rubbery sap is very hard to clean off if it will take have bad,. Very sick had a fiddle leaf fig, your plant from its and. You just stick it in the original pot and hose down the ball! Struggling after repotting and moving her ( of course, is if the is... For your fiddle leaf fig is a type of houseplant from the violin-shaped. Bark started falling off below it so i cut it back or it will take grow afterwards and can less-than-ideal. Fig needs to be patient and let her adjust, but growing at. Sunlight all-day coming from a skylight do this when the plant is because! Success planting a cut off a few benefits to taking cuttings of your tree have can i cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig! Home grower, who is likely to have trouble duplicating these steamy conditions height you ’ like! You satisfied with the current height of your tree isn ’ t propagate a fiddle leaf tree... Winter or early spring before the first buds appear `` what 's wrong with my plant and left this it. Type of houseplant from the edge is definitely possible time to grow, care for and maintain this beautiful to... Will prevent the sap from the ficus family entire leaf time stood still a...
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