If you’ve been an avid fiddle-leaf fig lover for a while, you may have noticed that the leaves of your beloved plants often start to droop. When this happens, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to separate and replant to promote new leaf growth.
After all, if done improperly and at the wrong time, separating a fiddle-leaf fig can cause severe damage—not something any plant parent desires!
In today’s blog post, we are going to discuss how best to go about determining whether or not it is time for separating your Ficus lyrata so that your precious foliage continues looking it’s very best!
How do I know when to report my fiddle leaf fig?
Do you struggle to keep your fiddle leaf fig alive and healthy? If so, you might want to start considering when to report it. Since these trees don’t like to be shifted, the best time for a repotting is when you initially bring it home or if the roots have outgrown the pot.
When determining if a report is necessary, lightly shake the plant and check if there are dead leaves that need to be removed. Also, make sure that you glance into the soil and see how compacted the roots beneath are.
If they are tight together or beginning to poke through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, then it’s time for repotting!
How do you separate a fiddle leaf fig?
Separating a fiddle leaf fig requires patience, a bit of know-how, and the right tools. For best results, make sure to select your specimen carefully and choose one that has thickened roots that are ready to be divided.
Choose an area on the root ball where multiple shoots cross over each other, then dig around with a hand trowel or saw to loosen the soil.
Slowly insert two hands into the root ball and gently pull apart the divisions until you can easily remove them. Once separated, pot up each division into a new pot and give it plenty of water to help it establish itself in its new home.
Do fiddle leaf figs like to be rootbound?
Root-bound plants are often thought of as stressful and unhappy, but that isn’t necessarily true. Fiddle leaf figs, in particular, actually prefer to grow in a pot or container that is root bound.
This means the roots have become tightly packed over time, taking up all of the available space in the pot or container. Being in this condition allows them to store much-needed water and nutrients so they can continue to grow healthily and maintain their beautiful leaves.
With proper care, root-bound fiddle leaf figs stand a much better chance of survival than plants that aren’t root bound. By understanding what conditions work best for your fiddle leaf figs, you can learn how to ensure it is healthy and thriving!
Where do you cut fiddle leaf figs for branching?
The best place to cut a fiddle leaf fig for branching is at the very top of the stem, close to where the leaves join. Cutting in this area means that more stems will be produced and you can benefit from increased foliage growth.
If your figure already has multiple branches, cutting further down in the middle of two stems is also possible to promote extending those existing branches. However, it is important not to go too low on the main trunk since going any deeper could potentially damage your plant.
Taking these precautions when trimming and encouraging branching should result in healthier, fuller-looking fiddle leaf figs!
How do I make my fiddle leaf fig bushier?
Keeping your fiddle leaf fig healthy and bushy requires a few special effects on your part. To ensure that your fig gets plenty of sun and airflow, rotate the pot every week to distribute light evenly.
Pruning is also essential as it produces new foliage and encourages branching. Carefully snip off any dry or damaged leaves at the base of their stem, but avoid pruning too much at once because this can overly stress the plant.
Lastly, regular watering that reaches the root ball is important for keeping roots healthy, which will in turn create a bushier shape for your fig tree. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have yourself a happy and vibrant fiddle leaf fig.
How do I make my fiddle leaf fig bushier?
Pruning is a great method to give any plant, including the fiddle leaf fig, a bushier look and encourage new growth. To prune this type of tree, begin by using a sharp pair of pruning shears to gently remove all yellow or damaged leaves.
When snipping off unhealthy leaves and stems make sure to cut as close to the base of the stem as possible. Additionally, you can continue to cut back stems that are longer than desired to promote growth where you would like your fiddle leaf fig to be bushier.
Keep in mind that when it comes to pruning plants it is always best to take it slow and steady; too much aggressive pruning at once can shock your plant or do more harm than good.
Why is my fiddle leaf fig top-heavy?
The Ficus lyrata, more commonly known as the fiddle leaf fig, is a unique and striking addition to the home. While it’s prized for its beauty, many have observed that its top-heavy plants commonly experience instability and need to be staked or pruned back to maintain a balanced size.
This is due to the growth habits of this particular species — rather than growing outward and bushy as other trees do, the fiddle leaf fig instead strives upwards in pursuit of sunlight, often resulting in an imbalanced look until pruning adjusts things.
Taking the time to look back at a few simple rules of trimming will ensure that your Ficus lyrata retains its breathtaking look without compromising stability.
Why is my fiddle leaf fig trunk so skinny?
As a beginner to growing fiddle leaf figs, you may be worried about the skinny trunk of your plant. This is not uncommon – some varieties of the fiddle leaf fig are known for having very slim trunks.
Generally, this does not impact the overall health of the tree, and as long as it is getting adequate light and nutrients it should continue to thrive. The most important thing is to make sure that you give it plenty of moisture – aim to water your tree every 1-2 weeks depending on how dry its soil gets.
With the proper care and attention, the chances are good that your fiddle leaf fig will eventually form a thicker trunk over time.
Should I trim the lower leaves on the fiddle leaf fig?
Whether or not you should trim lower leaves on your fiddle leaf fig depends largely on how healthy your plant is. It’s a good idea to examine existing leaves closely to make sure they are not diseased before trimming them.
If the leaves appear healthy, it might be beneficial to trim some of the older, lower leaves to promote healthier growth above them. However, it is always important to ensure that there are still enough leaves remaining on the plant so it has enough resources from photosynthesis for energy production.
Trimming too much can cause stress and inhibit growth. In any case, removing infected or dying leaves will help keep your fiddle leaf fig healthy and looking its best.
Do fiddle leaf figs like to dry out between watering?
When it comes to fiddle leaf figs, their levels of water needs depend on how much natural light the plant is getting. If your fiddle leaf fig is in direct sunlight, then it may need more watering than if it was in dimmer areas of your home.
As such, a good rule of thumb for keeping your fiddle leaf fig happy is to allow the soil to dry out completely between each watering session. This ensures that the root system doesn’t become overly saturated or risk rotting from excess moisture.
Keep an eye on your plant and when you notice its leaves starting to droop, you can be sure it’s telling you that it’s thirsty!
Final Thoughts
Separating your fiddle leaf fig is a great way to ensure it grows healthy and strong. It may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to plant care, but it doesn’t have to be!
Remember that the best time to separate your fiddle leaf fig is in the springtime when its growing season has begun. Make sure your tools are sharp and clean, and that you provide plenty of nutrients and soil for the newly cut roots.
Don’t forget to give each cutting lots of light, water, and fertilizer as they develop their root systems! Ultimately, with patience and care, you can easily create multiple healthy plants from one single fiddle leaf fig. Now get out there and let your creative plant powers shine!
