Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Too Tall – Your Complete Guide To Pruning &

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you found yourself looking up… and up… at your once-petite fiddle leaf fig, which now seems to be making a serious bid to touch your ceiling? You’re not alone. It’s a classic sign you’re doing a great job as a plant parent, but it also presents a new, slightly intimidating challenge.

I promise you, there’s no need to panic or start searching for homes with vaulted ceilings. A fiddle leaf fig growing too tall is not a problem; it’s an incredible opportunity. It’s your plant telling you it’s ready for the next step in its journey: shaping.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover why your fig is reaching for the stars, how to confidently prune it for a fuller shape, and even how to turn those cuttings into brand new baby plants. Let’s transform your lanky friend into the lush, bushy statement piece you’ve always dreamed of!

Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing So Tall and Leggy?

Understanding the “why” behind your plant’s growth spurt is the first step. Think of it like this: your fiddle leaf fig, or Ficus lyrata, is a tree in its natural rainforest habitat. It’s literally programmed to grow tall to compete for sunlight.

When you see your indoor fiddle leaf fig growing too tall and looking a bit sparse, a few factors are usually at play:

  • Reaching for Light: The most common reason for leggy growth is inadequate light. If your plant isn’t getting enough bright, indirect sun, it will stretch its stems and space out its leaves, a process called etiolation, as it desperately reaches for the nearest light source.
  • Natural Growth Habit: Without any intervention, a fiddle leaf fig will naturally focus its energy on growing a single, dominant central stem. It won’t start branching out on its own until it reaches maturity or its upward growth is checked.
  • Lack of Pruning: If you’ve never pruned your plant, it has no reason to divert energy into creating side branches. It will just keep pushing upward, leading to that top-heavy, “lollipop” look. This is one of the most common problems with fiddle leaf fig growing too tall.

The Surprising Benefits of a Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Too Tall

Before you see that height as a flaw, let’s reframe it. A tall fiddle leaf fig is a sign of success! It’s a vigorous, healthy plant that you’ve nurtured well. This growth presents some fantastic opportunities you might not have considered.

Believe it or not, there are several benefits of fiddle leaf fig growing too tall. You now have the perfect canvas to work with.

It’s a Sign of a Healthy Plant

First and foremost, give yourself a pat on the back. A plant that grows rapidly is a plant that is happy with its watering schedule, humidity, and nutrients. You’ve created an environment where it can thrive.

It’s the Perfect Time to Encourage a Fuller Shape

This is your golden ticket to creating that full, tree-like shape you see in magazines. Pruning the top of the plant signals it to redirect its growth hormones, activating dormant buds along the stem to sprout into new branches. Your tall plant is practically begging for a haircut that will make it bushier and more balanced.

You Get Free Plants!

Every piece you prune off is a potential new fiddle leaf fig! Propagation is a simple and rewarding process. This is a wonderfully sustainable fiddle leaf fig growing too tall practice, allowing you to multiply your collection or share your plant babies with friends and family.

Your Essential Toolkit: Preparing for Fiddle Leaf Fig Surgery

Ready to get started? Like any good surgeon, you need the right tools. Don’t worry, the list is short and simple. Having these items on hand will make the process smooth, clean, and safe for your plant.

Must-Have Tools

  • Sharp Pruning Shears: A clean, sharp cut is crucial for helping the plant heal quickly. Bypass pruners are ideal as they make a slicing cut, much like scissors, which is less damaging than the crushing action of anvil-style pruners.
  • Rubbing Alcohol: This is non-negotiable for sterilization. You wouldn’t want a surgeon using dirty tools on you, and your plant deserves the same care.
  • Clean Cloth or Paper Towels: Fiddle leaf figs ooze a milky white latex sap when cut. It can be a mild irritant to skin and can stain surfaces, so it’s good to have something to wipe it up.
  • Gardening Gloves: A great idea to keep your hands clean and free from the sticky sap.
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The Importance of Sterilization

I can’t stress this enough: always sterilize your tools. Wiping the blades of your pruners with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol before, between, and after cuts prevents the transfer of bacteria and fungal diseases from one part of the plant to another, or from a previous plant you pruned. This is one of the most critical fiddle leaf fig growing too tall best practices.

How to Prune a Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Too Tall: A Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, take a deep breath. This is the fun part! Pruning can feel scary the first time, but it’s one of the most empowering things you can do for your plant’s long-term health and beauty. This fiddle leaf fig growing too tall guide will walk you through it.

  1. Step 1: Plan Your Cuts

    Don’t just start snipping! Step back and look at your plant from all angles. Visualize the shape you want. A good rule of thumb is to decide on the final height you’re aiming for. You’ll want to cut just above a node (the little bump on the stem where a leaf grows from), as this is where new growth will emerge.

  2. Step 2: Make the Cut

    This is the moment of truth! Once you’ve chosen your spot, make a clean, confident cut at a 45-degree angle about a half-inch above the node. A clean cut heals faster. Be prepared for the white sap to appear and simply dab it gently with your cloth.

    This technique of cutting off the top of the main stem is called “topping” or “heading.” It immediately halts upward growth and is the most effective way to encourage branching below.

  3. Step 3: Post-Pruning Care

    Your plant will go through a brief period of shock and recovery. Don’t panic if it doesn’t do anything for a few weeks. Keep its environment stable: provide plenty of bright, indirect light and maintain your regular watering schedule. Hold off on fertilizing for about a month to give it time to heal before encouraging new growth.

Encouraging Branching for a Fuller, Bushier Plant

Pruning is the main event, but a few other tricks can help you on your quest for a fuller fiddle. These are excellent fiddle leaf fig growing too tall tips to use in combination with your pruning strategy.

The Magic of “Pinching”

For a less dramatic approach, you can try “pinching.” This involves using your fingers or shears to remove the very newest, smallest set of leaves at the top of a stem. This minor “prune” is often enough to signal the plant to branch out from the nodes just below, and it’s a great way to maintain a shape once you’ve established it.

The “Shaking” Method

Here’s a fun tip from the pros! In the wild, wind pushes against the trunk, signaling the tree to grow thicker and stronger to stay upright. You can mimic this by gently taking the trunk and shaking it for a minute or two every day. This stress encourages the trunk to thicken and can also stimulate overall growth.

Provide Optimal Light

Remember why the plant got leggy in the first place? Light! After pruning, ensure your fig is in the best possible spot. A location right near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window is ideal. Rotating your plant a quarter turn each week will also ensure all sides get light, promoting even, balanced growth instead of leaning.

From Pruning to Propagation: An Eco-Friendly Approach

Don’t you dare throw those cuttings away! One of the best parts of having a fiddle leaf fig growing too tall is the opportunity for propagation. This is a fantastic, eco-friendly fiddle leaf fig growing too tall solution that rewards you with more plants for free.

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Preparing Your Cuttings

Choose a healthy section of the stem you pruned that is at least 6-8 inches long and has 2-3 healthy leaves. Make a fresh, clean cut at the bottom. Carefully remove the lowest leaf to expose the node, as this is where roots will sprout from.

Rooting in Water

This is the easiest method for beginners. Simply place the prepared cutting in a jar of clean, room-temperature water, ensuring the exposed node is submerged but the leaves are not. Place it in a spot with bright, indirect light and change the water every few days. In a few weeks to a couple of months, you should see white roots begin to form!

Rooting in Soil

You can also plant the cutting directly into a small pot with well-draining potting mix. You can dip the end in rooting hormone first to speed up the process. Water the soil thoroughly and keep it consistently moist (but not soggy). Creating a mini-greenhouse by placing a plastic bag over the top can help maintain humidity and encourage rooting.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Too Tall

When is the best time of year to prune my fiddle leaf fig?

The best time to perform a major pruning is during the active growing season, which is typically spring and early summer. The plant has more energy stored up to push out new growth and will recover much more quickly than it would during its dormant period in the fall and winter.

How much can I safely prune off my fiddle leaf fig at once?

A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than one-third of the plant’s total mass at one time. A more conservative pruning is always safer. If you want to make drastic changes, it’s better to do it in stages over a couple of growing seasons.

Will my fiddle leaf fig grow back after I cut the top off?

Absolutely, yes! And it will come back better than ever. Within a few weeks to a month, you should see tiny new buds forming just below where you made your cut. These buds will grow into the new branches that create a fuller, bushier plant.

My pruned fiddle leaf fig is leaking a milky white sap. Is this normal?

Yes, this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. The white substance is latex sap, which is common in the Ficus family. It can be a mild skin irritant, so it’s best to avoid getting it on your skin and to wash your hands after pruning. The sap will stop flowing shortly after the cut is made.

Your Journey to a Beautifully Shaped Fig

There you have it—your complete fiddle leaf fig growing too tall care guide. What once seemed like a problem is now your secret weapon for creating the plant of your dreams. By understanding its needs and learning to make a few confident cuts, you can guide its growth and transform it into a stunning, well-proportioned focal point in your home.

Remember that every cut is a conversation with your plant. You’re not hurting it; you’re helping it become the best version of itself. So grab your pruners, take a deep breath, and get ready to shape your masterpiece.

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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