Is your fiddle leaf fig plant too tall or leggy? Examine the nodes on the main stem (a node is where a leaf attaches to a branch) and make a cut slightly above one of those nodes at your desired height. Follow this same process for any horizontal or outward branches that may be too long for your liking.
What do you do if your fiddle leaf fig is too tall?
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. By pruning your plant to keep it from getting too tall, you’ll create a stronger and more compact plant.
Can I cut the top off my fiddle fig tree?
Cutting the top of the fiddle leaf fig will keep it short and encourage side branches to grow, creating a more compact look. Pruning it heavily on one side helps give a balanced look if the fiddle leaf fig is lopsided.
Can you cut a fiddle leaf fig all the way back?
Don’t remove more than 10 leaves from your plant at a time.
Once the plant develops more leafy foliage, you can remove a few more leaves. Wait until the fiddle leaf fig plant sprouts more leaves on top before you prune any more from the base of the plant.
What can I do with an overgrown fig tree?
If your fig is too big, pruning is the answer. As with most outdoor plants, winter is a great time to accomplish this task. A few tips will help you make the most of this job.
Why is my fiddle leaf fig tall and skinny?
Answer. A fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) with leggy or unstable growth usually indicates inadequate light. The entire plant may grow tall and weak, with a frail trunk. Leaves may be spaced far apart on long branches or this may happen only to the lower branches if they are blocked from sunlight.
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.
Can I prune fiddle leaf fig in winter?
Light trimming and removal of dead or dry leaves is fine all year long. However, if you’re planning on doing major reshaping or removal of larger stems or branches, it’s best to wait until spring or early summer. Most indoor plants go dormant during the winter, and shorter days mean less light for your plant.
Where do you cut fiddle leaf fig leaves?
Make the cut just above the top of your node. Do not cut into the node which would damage it, but just above. Cutting your fiddle leaf fig or any plant in the fig family will produce an oozing, milky, white latex sap.
How do I get my fiddle leaf fig to turn new leaves?
To get new leaves on a fiddle leaf fig, you need to ensure it is in the right conditions for growth. This includes having a good watering schedule, well-draining soil, and plenty of light and humidity in place. Giving your plant a boost of nutrients through fertilization can also help.
How do you control the size of a fig tree?
Consider cutting back fruiting branches.
During dormancy, consider cutting back your mature tree’s fruiting branches to one-third or even one-fourth of their normal size. This will help keep the tree smaller and sturdier, preventing large branches from breaking off and making harvesting easier as well.
What is the best time of year to prune fig trees?
After a fig tree is established, the best time when to prune a fig tree will be in the dormant (winter) season when the tree is not growing. Begin your fig tree pruning by removing any branches that are not growing out from your selected fruiting wood, as well as any dead or diseased wood.
How tall should a fig tree be?
Depending on the variety, fig trees naturally mature around 10- to 15-feet tall or larger! Many fig-tree growers find that keeping them between 6-8 feet tall is most manageable, especially in a container environment. Some fig trees have a natural bush-like appearance if allowed to grow naturally.
Why should you shake a fiddle leaf fig?
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.
Why is my fiddle leaf fig falling over?
Short Answer. The most common reason a Fiddle Leaf Fig leans is that it’s not receiving enough sunlight. The branches will stretch toward the nearest window to improve photosynthesis and growth, becoming lopsided. Other reasons for leaning include a lack of water, inadequate nutrients, and an incorrect pot size.
How can I thicken my fiddle leaf fig?
Wiggling your fiddle leaf fig tree for one and a half to two minutes every one to two weeks will help thicken its trunk considerably. Start with gentle shaking motions and gradually increase the intensity. If your plant is supported with a stake, initially wiggle it with the support in place.
Should I take the bottom leaves off my 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.
How do you keep a fig tree small?
Figs can be kept small by pruning them as shrubs, allowing them to be grown in the smallest of backyard spaces—a boon for urban edible landscapers. The sap of certain figs can be a skin irritant, so be sure to wear gloves when pruning.
How often should you water fiddle leaf fig?
The number one way to kill a fiddle leaf fig is to overwater it or not allow for proper drainage. Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days. As we mentioned earlier, FLFs are native to a rainforest-like environment, which means they’re used to receiving a huge deluge of water with dry spells in between.
How often should I water my fiddle leaf fig in the winter?
Fiddle Leaf Figs enjoy weekly waterings, allowing their soil to completely dry out between waterings. In winter, we recommend watering less frequently to prevent overwatering and root rot.
What do you do with a fiddle leaf fig in the winter?
If your Fiddle Leaf Fig normally lives outdoors and you live in a place that gets cooler than 55F (12C) at night, it’s best that it comes indoors to get out of the cold. FLFs are tropical plants that don’t do well in cold conditions. To some extent, these plants can acclimatise to cooler weather.