Fiddle-leaf figs are known to be finicky plants, and the thought of pruning them can be intimidating. You may have concerns about stressing the plant or not knowing how to prune it correctly. In this article, we will address all of these worries and more, giving you the knowledge and confidence to trim your fiddle-leaf fig with ease.
Key Takeaways
Why is Pruning Important?
Like many trees, fiddle-leaf figs benefit from regular trimming and pruning to maintain their health. By removing dead or diseased leaves and branches, or by promoting better airflow between the foliage, you can keep your fiddle-leaf fig happy and thriving. These plants have quite the personality and can be quite opinionated, so it’s essential to cater to their needs.
Pruning also helps control the size of the plant. Fiddle-leaf figs can grow up to 12 feet tall indoors under ideal conditions. However, in their natural habitat in western Africa’s rainforests, they can reach heights of up to 50 feet. To prevent your fig from outgrowing your home, pruning is a must.
If you prefer a smaller plant, there are dwarf varieties available. However, there’s something awe-inspiring about having a tall, healthy fiddle-leaf fig as a statement piece in your home decor, as long as it doesn’t touch the ceiling.
When is the Best Time to Trim?
You can remove a diseased or dead leaf at any time, and it’s best to do it sooner rather than later. However, when it comes to pruning branches, it’s important to wait until spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. Fiddle-leaf figs may go into dormancy during winter, especially when there is less light.
Pruning the plant during its winter rest can stress it or even send it into shock, which can lead to sickness or even death. Since the plant is not actively growing during dormancy, the cuts won’t heal as quickly as they would during the spring or summer when it loves bright, filtered light.
Keep in mind that fiddle-leaf figs require at least six hours of bright daylight through a south or east-facing window. So, resist the temptation to trim in winter and wait for springtime to give your plant a fresh trim for the summer.
How to Properly Prune Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Before you start pruning, protect your floors by laying a few sheets of newspaper on the ground to catch debris and the milky latex sap that may ooze out. This sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, so remember to wear gloves and long sleeves.
Using a sharp pair of pruners, make clean cuts. If you are unsure about the cleanliness of your pruners, clean them with soap and hot water before use. It’s crucial to make sure the cut is made in an internodal space, the area between two nodes on the trunk. Nodes are slightly raised rings on the bark that develop into leaves or branches.
For trimming the central trunk or stem to reduce the height of an excessively tall plant, make a diagonal cut in an internodal space. Wipe away the sap with a damp cloth. Within a few weeks, you can expect new lateral branches to grow from the node just below your cut.
You may also need to trim lateral branches for better airflow or to prevent overcrowding. When pruning lateral branches, make a cut just above the branch collar, taking care not to wound the trunk tissue or leave a decaying branch.
For dead or diseased leaves, simply snipping them off at the base with your pruners is sufficient.
Shaping Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Fiddle-leaf figs are commonly sold as bushy or columnar houseplants. However, many gardeners aim to cultivate their plants into a tree-like shape with a clear canopy and trunk, similar to a banyan tree.
To achieve this, allow your plant to grow two-thirds of the desired height before starting to prune it into a tree shape. This allows the trunk to become thick and strong. It’s essential to leave a distance of at least eight to 10 inches between the plant’s top and the ceiling to prevent the leaves from bending or getting crushed.
When the plant is actively growing in spring or summer, make a cut at least six inches down from the tip of the tree to encourage branching lateral growth. You can propagate the cutting by cutting it in an internodal space. Leave the leaves below the cut intact to allow photosynthesis, which provides energy for the growth of lateral branches.
Within a few weeks, the plant will sprout new branches from the cut. As the canopy matures, prune a leaf or two from the base area of the tree. Over time, continue pruning leaves off the trunk to develop a clean trunk supporting a Y-shaped canopy.
Remember that pruning for lateral branch growth is a reliable method for achieving a well-defined canopy. Some gardeners use a technique called “notching” to encourage lateral branches, but its success can be unpredictable. Fiddle-leaf figs grow quickly, and pruning for lateral growth consistently yields better results.
After pruning, ensure that your plant receives proper care, including appropriate water, fertilizer, and light. This care will help it heal quickly from any wounds incurred during the pruning process.
In conclusion, pruning your fiddle-leaf fig is essential for maintaining its health and shape. By following the proper techniques and timing, you can keep your plant happy and create a stunning addition to your home decor. So go ahead and give your fiddle-leaf fig the trim it deserves!
References:
