Fiddle Leaf Fig Pruning: When To Trim A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

A few years ago, the fiddle leaf fig was the “it” plant and to some extent it still is. Many became enamored with its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves which brought the wow factor to a home’s décor. Perhaps you now have this trendy plant in your home and are wondering how to keep your plant as “fit as a fiddle.” Fiddle leaf fig pruning is one good way to keep the plant in top form by giving it good form. So, let’s get a sharp pair of pruning shears in hand and learn how to prune fiddle leaf fig.

When to Trim a Fiddle Leaf Fig

The most ideal time for pruning fiddle leaf fig is when it is actively growing, which is typically spring or early summer.

How to Prune Fiddle Leaf Fig

While the thought of fiddle leaf fig pruning may seem intimidating, cutting back fiddle leaf figs is actually very easy. Be properly equipped when cutting back fiddle leaf figs. You will want to make nice clean cuts on your plant. This will only happen with a sharp clean pair of pruning shears, not a dull pair of scissors. When pruning fiddle leaf fig, it is also recommended to protect the area around your plant with a drop-cloth, as any cuts made may ooze a sticky sap on your floors and nobody wants that. If you are so inclined, consider saving the healthy clippings and root them in a jar of water to make more fiddle leaf fig plants. Your cuttings should develop good root systems within 1-2 months, at which point they can be planted into small pots. How you go about pruning fiddle leaf fig will largely depend on your personal preference. Don’t like the look of tattered or scorched leaves or diseased branches? Simply snip off any of these eyesores with your pruning shears. Fiddle leaf figs either have bare or leaf-covered stems or trunks. If you’re angling for a more tree-like look, your fiddle leaf fig pruning will involve removing the older lower leaves on the trunk, provided you have healthy growth happening on top of your plant. Are you satisfied with the current height of your fiddle leaf fig? At the top of your main stem is a growing tip from which new leaves will emerge. To keep the height of your plant in check, you will need to pinch out these tender leaves as they appear with your fingers. This may also help to deter lower leaf drop as well as encourage branching of your plant near the pinching points. 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. New growth may develop below the points where you were cutting back fiddle leaf figs.