Fiddle Leaf Fig Only Growing Leaves On Top – A Pro’S Guide To A

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Does your fiddle leaf fig look more like a tall, skinny palm tree than the lush, full plant you see on social media? You know the look: a long, bare trunk with a lonely tuft of leaves right at the very top. It can be frustrating, making you wonder what you’re doing wrong.

I’m here to tell you to take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and your plant isn’t necessarily unhappy! This is a very common growth pattern for these beautiful trees. The good news is that it’s absolutely fixable.

Promise yourself this: by the end of this article, you’ll not only understand why your fiddle leaf fig is only growing leaves on top, but you’ll also have a toolbox of proven, expert techniques to encourage a fuller, bushier, and more robust plant.

We’ll walk through everything from the science behind this “top-heavy” growth to step-by-step instructions on pruning, notching, and providing the perfect long-term care. Let’s turn that lollipop into a lush, thriving masterpiece together!

Why Your Fiddle Leaf Fig is Only Growing Leaves on Top: The Mystery of Apical Dominance

Before we grab the pruning shears, it’s essential to understand the “why” behind this behavior. The primary reason your fiddle leaf fig grows this way is a natural phenomenon called apical dominance. It sounds technical, but the concept is simple.

Think of it as your plant’s survival strategy. In the wild, plants compete for sunlight. Apical dominance is driven by hormones (specifically, auxins) produced at the top-most bud (the “apical” bud). These hormones flow downwards, telling the plant, “Focus all your energy on growing taller, faster! Reach for the sun!”

This same hormonal signal actively suppresses the growth of buds lower down on the stem. Your plant has plenty of dormant nodes—little bumps on the trunk where new leaves or branches could grow—but the hormones from the top keep them asleep. This is one of the most common problems with fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top, but it’s a feature, not a bug!

Our goal, as dedicated gardeners, is to gently interrupt this signal. We want to tell the plant, “Hey, you’re safe here! You don’t need to race for the sky. It’s time to fill out and get bushy.” The techniques we’ll cover below are all designed to do just that.

Before You Start: Assessing Your Plant’s Health

Hold on! Before you make a single cut, we need to play plant doctor. Attempting to prune or notch a stressed, unhealthy plant can do more harm than good. A healthy fiddle leaf fig will respond vigorously to these techniques, while a sick one might struggle to recover.

Take a moment to run through this quick health checklist. A healthy plant will have:

  • Sturdy, vibrant leaves: The existing leaves at the top should be deep green, glossy, and firm. Avoid pruning if leaves are yellowing, drooping, or covered in brown spots.
  • A strong root system: Gently check the drainage holes. If you see white or light-tan roots, that’s a good sign. Black, mushy roots indicate root rot, which must be addressed first.
  • No signs of pests: Inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Deal with any infestations before proceeding.
  • Consistent new growth (at the top): Even if it’s only at the top, seeing new leaves unfurl is a sign the plant has energy to spare.

If your plant is struggling, focus on fixing the underlying issue first—whether it’s lighting, watering, or pests. Once it has been stable and healthy for a few weeks, you can confidently move on to encouraging new growth.

Solution #1: Strategic Pruning to Encourage Branching

This is the most direct and effective way to break apical dominance and is a cornerstone of any good fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top care guide. By snipping off the top growing point, you remove the source of the growth-suppressing hormones. This sends a signal to the dormant buds down the stem that it’s their time to shine!

Tools You’ll Need

Keep it simple and, most importantly, clean. You’re performing surgery, after all!

  • Sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors: A clean cut heals faster. Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before and after each use to prevent the spread of disease.
  • Gloves (optional but recommended): Fiddle leaf figs produce a milky white sap that can be irritating to the skin.
  • A cloth or paper towel: To dab away the sap after you make a cut.
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A Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Your Fig

  1. Choose Your Spot: Decide how tall you want your main trunk to be. Look for a spot on the stem between two nodes (the little rings or bumps on the trunk). You’ll want to make your cut about a half-inch above a node. New branches will typically sprout from the top 1-3 nodes just below your cut.
  2. Make the Cut: Take a deep breath—you can do this! Make a clean, confident cut straight across the stem. Don’t saw at it. A single, decisive snip is best.
  3. Clean Up: The stem will immediately start to “bleed” a white sap. Gently dab it with your cloth until it stops. This helps the wound callous over cleanly.
  4. Provide Optimal Care: After pruning, place your plant back in its happy spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. Maintain your regular watering schedule. Be patient!
  5. (Bonus Tip) Propagate the Top: Don’t throw away the part you cut off! If it has a few leaves and a few inches of stem, you can easily propagate it in water to create a whole new plant. This is a fantastic eco-friendly fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top practice.

Within a few weeks to a couple of months, you should start to see tiny new buds emerging from the nodes just below your cut. These will grow into new branches, creating that full, tree-like shape you’ve been dreaming of.

Solution #2: Notching and Scoring for Targeted Growth

What if you love your fig’s height and don’t want to prune the top? Or maybe you want to encourage a branch at a very specific spot on that long, bare trunk? Welcome to the art of notching. This is one of my favorite advanced fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top tips.

Notching is a more precise technique where you make a small cut in the trunk above a dormant bud. This cut interrupts the flow of those growth-suppressing hormones from the top, but only to that specific bud, signaling it to wake up and grow.

How to Safely Notch Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

  1. Select Your Target: Identify a healthy-looking, prominent dormant bud on the bare part of the stem where you’d like a new branch to form.
  2. Get Your Tool: You’ll need a very sharp and sterile blade. A clean craft knife, box cutter, or even a sharp pocketknife works well. Again, wipe it with rubbing alcohol.
  3. Make the Notch: About a half-inch above your chosen bud, make a shallow, angled cut. You want to cut into the trunk at a downward angle, going about one-quarter to one-third of the way through the stem’s diameter. The cut should be about one-third of the circumference of the stem, forming a small notch or wedge.
  4. Be Patient: Just like with pruning, this process takes time. Keep providing excellent care for your plant. If the notch is successful, a new bud should begin to swell and grow from that node within one to two months.

Notching isn’t always 100% successful, but it’s a low-risk way to try and activate specific growth points without the drama of a full pruning. You can try notching in 2-3 spots at a time.

The “Wiggle” Method: A Simple Trick to Strengthen Your Fig

Here’s a fun little secret that mimics a plant’s natural environment. In the wild, trees are constantly swayed by the wind. This movement causes tiny micro-tears in the trunk, which the tree then repairs, making the trunk thicker and stronger over time. It also signals to the plant that it needs to be sturdy and well-anchored, which can sometimes encourage lower growth.

Once or twice a day, gently take the trunk of your fiddle leaf fig and give it a good shake or wiggle for about 30-60 seconds. Don’t be too aggressive, just enough to make the leaves flutter. It sounds silly, but this is one of the easiest fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top best practices to incorporate into your routine. It strengthens the trunk, preventing it from becoming weak and wobbly as it grows taller.

Your Complete Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide for a Fuller Plant

Fixing a leggy fiddle leaf fig isn’t just about pruning or notching. It’s about creating an environment where the plant wants to be full and lush. Adjusting your overall care routine is crucial for long-term success.

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Light is Everything

Fiddle leaf figs need tons of bright, indirect light. A plant that isn’t getting enough light will stretch towards the nearest window, exacerbating the leggy look. An east-facing window is often perfect. If you have a south or west-facing window, pull the plant back a few feet to avoid scorching the leaves.

Consistent Watering

These plants hate “wet feet.” Water thoroughly only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry. Then, drench the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes. Discard any excess water from the saucer. Overwatering is the fastest way to cause root rot and leaf drop.

Feed for Growth

During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your fig with a balanced liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants every 2-4 weeks. This gives it the nutrients it needs to push out all that new growth you’re encouraging. Adopting a sustainable fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top approach could involve using organic fertilizers like worm castings or compost tea.

Humidity and Cleaning

Fiddle leaf figs are tropical plants and appreciate higher humidity. Misting occasionally or placing a humidifier nearby can help. Also, their large leaves are dust magnets! Wipe them down with a soft, damp cloth every few weeks. Clean leaves photosynthesize more efficiently, leading to a healthier plant.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Fiddle Leaf Fig Only Growing Leaves on Top

Will leaves ever grow back on the bare parts of the trunk?

No, new leaves will not grow directly from the bare, woody trunk. However, by pruning or notching, you can encourage entirely new branches to sprout from the dormant nodes on that trunk. These new branches will then be covered in their own beautiful leaves, filling in the bare space.

When is the best time to prune or notch my fiddle leaf fig?

The best time is during the active growing season, which is typically spring and summer. The plant has the most energy during this period to heal from the cuts and push out new growth. Avoid making major cuts during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

How long does it take to see new growth after pruning?

Patience is key! You can expect to see the first signs of new buds forming anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months after pruning or notching. The exact timeline depends on your plant’s health and the time of year.

Is my fiddle leaf fig unhealthy if it only grows leaves on top?

Not at all! As we discussed, this is the plant’s natural and healthy tendency due to apical dominance. It’s a sign of a vigorous plant trying to grow tall. Our job is simply to guide that growth to create a more aesthetically pleasing shape for our indoor spaces.

Your Fuller Fiddle Leaf Fig Awaits

There you have it—a complete guide to understanding and solving the common issue of a fiddle leaf fig only growing leaves on top. It’s not a sign of failure but an opportunity to engage with your plant and shape it into a stunning indoor tree.

Remember the key takeaways: understand that apical dominance is natural, assess your plant’s health first, and then choose your method. Whether you decide to make a bold pruning cut, try the subtle art of notching, or simply start wiggling your plant’s trunk, you are now equipped with the knowledge to encourage a fuller, healthier plant.

Don’t be afraid to take control. Your fiddle leaf fig is resilient, and with a little guidance from you, it will reward your efforts with beautiful new branches and lush foliage. Go forth and grow!

Rimon Chowdhury
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