With proper care and attention, you can turn your new fiddle-leaf fig plant into a towering tree that fits your space perfectly. By following this simple guide and utilizing our all-natural potting mixes, soil amendments, and fertilizers, you can keep your fig tree healthy (and Instagram-ready) all year round.
How do you turn a fiddle leaf fig into a tree?
To prune your fiddle-leaf fig to create a tree form with branching lateral growth, wait until spring or summer – when the plant is actively growing – and make a cut at least six inches down from the tip of the tree. You can save this cutting and propagate it! Make sure to cut in an internodal space.
Do fiddle leaf plants turn into trees?
It’s not difficult at all to transform your single-stalk fiddle leaf into a full, tree-like canopy. More than anything, it just takes patience to wait for those branches to appear after you’ve done your pruning or notching.
Is there a difference between fiddle leaf fig bush and tree?
You might wonder if there’s a difference between a fiddle leaf fig bush and a tree. Answer: They’re the exact same plant, the only difference is the shape! One shape isn’t necessarily “better” than the other. A tree shape isn’t healthier for your fiddle leaf fig than a bushier shape, and vice versa.
What happens if I cut the top off my fiddle leaf fig?
Don’t worry too much about your fiddle leaf fig regrowing if you decide to cut the top off. As long as plenty of nodes are left to regrow its leaves and new branches, it’ll bounce back.
Do all fiddle leaf figs grow tall?
The good news is that, once acclimated, the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) can grow to 6 feet or taller, making it a stunning statement piece. There are also other varieties of the plant that don’t grow as tall and are bushier, such as ‘Suncoast’ and ‘Compacta,’ if you’re going for a different look.
How long do fiddle leaf figs live?
25-50 years
The ficus lyrata, or fiddle leaf fig, is a tropical tree native to the West African lowland rainforests. It can live for up to 25-50 years (if cared for properly in non-tropical conditions).
How do I thicken my fiddle leaf fig trunk?
Shaking or wiggling your fiddle leaf fig tree will help to thicken its trunk. This is because the act of shaking or wiggling the plant will stimulate the cells in the trunk to divide and grow.
Will a small fiddle leaf fig grow big?
Fiddle Leaf Figs can grow very tall, even indoors. The key to getting your Fiddle Leaf Fig to grow tall quickly is to provide it with ideal conditions. The most important factor is how much sunlight it receives, but it also needs proper watering, the right pot and soil, clean leaves, and occasional fertilization.
Do fiddle leaf figs only grow leaves from the top?
Fiddle leaf figs are beautiful plants, which is why they’re so popular! So it’s really frustrating when something throws off the aesthetic we’re going for. New fiddle leaf fig leaves grow from the top of the plant and should grow just as large or larger than the leaves below it.
How long does it take for fiddle leaf to branch?
How long after you notch a fiddle leaf fig tree for branching does it work? New leaves and branches from a successful notching attempt typically appear within 4 to 5 weeks, but the time varies depending on your plant’s growth rate and health.
How often should you repot a fiddle leaf fig?
Generally, fiddle leaf figs need to be repotted every 1-2 years. What if I don’t want to move my fig into a larger pot? Another option, especially for a large plant, is to trim the root ball carefully and repot the plant back into its old pot, adding new potting soil.
Why does my fig tree look like a bush?
Figs are a shallow fibrous rooted species, although depending on location, the roots may spread laterally and vertically. Figs may have a single stemmed tree like growth or multi-stemmed shrub-like growth and often send up suckers from the base of the tree and spreading branches that are low to the ground.
How do I know what kind of fiddle leaf fig I have?
The easiest way to tell if your fiddle leaf plant is a true Ficus lyrata ‘bambino’ is to examine the foliage. Bambino produces more rounded leaves that lack the traditional fiddle shape.
How do I make my fig tree bushy?
During the first pruning, you can use a pair of sharp hand pruners to prune your fig back by up to half it’s size. Doing so will help to stimulate root growth, which helps your fig to more quickly established itself underground. Above ground, this will also stimulate growth of new branches making your tree bushier.
Should I trim lower leaves on fiddle leaf fig?
Removing them denies you one of the plant’s early alert systems. Remember, those lower leaves are HELPING that tree to become a tree-shape and should be left until the very last step of the shaping process.
Can you save a fiddle leaf fig with no leaves?
A fiddle leaf fig can survive without leaves as long as its stem and roots are healthy. Indeed, it is possible to revive a bare fiddle leaf fig if you can locate the cause of its ill-health in a timely manner. Treating its ailment along with water and warmth should suffice to bring it back to life.
Can you cut the main trunk of a fiddle leaf fig?
The most important secret is to prune a Fiddle Leaf Fig stem lower to where the really woody part is. To do this, your Fiddle Leaf Fig main stem / trunk should be at least 3′ tall.
Why are fiddle leaf figs so expensive?
They’re far from simple, and even further from a small piece of interior decor. One of the main reasons that fiddle leaf figs have taken the industry for so long is that they have been in demand for over a decade. As people learn that it’s popular, they are more likely to want to get their hands on them.
How do you make a fiddle leaf fig grow tall?
Here are our 7 Steps to Make Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree grow bigger:
- STEP 1: OPTIMIZE THE POT SIZE.
- STEP 2: ENSURE EXCELLENT DRAINAGE.
- STEP 3: FULL, REGULAR WATERING.
- STEP 4: CHECK FOR GOOD SOIL AERATION.
- STEP 5: DO AN ANNUAL SOIL TREATMENT.
- STEP 6: FERTILIZE LESS, MORE OFTEN.
- STEP 7: GIVE IT LIGHT!
How big do indoor fiddle leaf figs get?
10 feet tall
Indoor Fiddle Leaf Figs
Most fiddle leaf figs will top out at 10 feet tall indoors, though. (Outdoors, they can reach up to 60 feet!) If your ceilings are high enough and you have enough light, your indoor fiddle might exceed 10 feet if you let it instead of pruning it back to control its size.