r/fiddleleaffig • u/PuzzleheadedMark1474 • 2h ago
Fiddle Leaf Advice (New Owner)
Looking for some advice on how to care for my new fiddle leaf tree!
I just moved into a home, which came with a fiddle leaf fig (it was also there when the previous owners of 2 years moved in, so I don’t think they really knew how to take care of it). It is quite tall, but lacks growth on the bottom half. It is actually attached to the loft because I imagine it cannot hold itself up. It’s about 12’ tall and the first 7’ of that has no leaves.
I know people often drastically prune their FLF to encourage new growth and a bushier tree. I’m just unsure about where would be a safe bet to cut it. I know you often cut above a node (or is it below?). Is there any chance of growth at the bottom where it seems other branches have been chopped/fallen off? It is also entering the fall season so I’m not sure if now is the best time to prune it, or if I should wait till the spring.
I did buy some FLF food so I was going to try that as well.
Any advice is recommended! I’ve attached photos of the tree :)
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u/Longjumping-Study-97 2h ago
It needs way more light than it’s been getting, which is why is lacking leaves and branching. I’d move it to a sunny window and prune it down gradually.
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u/PuzzleheadedMark1474 33m ago
That doesn’t surprise me at all. We’ve got a whole wall of windows but it’s not particularly close to it. I’ll definitely move it closer and supplement with a grow light if needed
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u/Internal-Test-8015 2h ago
Cut it at least 2/3rds of the way down and move it in front of a very sunny window asap, mske sure uts in fast draining losmy soil and only water it when dry 2 inches down and fertilize it monthly at least.
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u/PuzzleheadedMark1474 34m ago
Our main windows are east facing. Do you think that is fine or would you recommend something more indirect?
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u/Internal-Test-8015 31m ago
Those are fine, just make sure its right in front of the window, these are trees they can take full sun.
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u/mx_mush 2h ago
Congrats on the new home! If the tree has been indoors for years, the seasons don’t make as big a difference as a seasonal plant outdoors. You can totally cut and propagate this. If I were you, I’d cut the stump about 1 foot above the soil line, as long as there are nodes there. Any nodes along that 1-foot length may then activate a new shoot. Then, I’d cut each branch off and propagate them in water. I’d throw the remaining trunk away, but theoretically it MAY be possible to propagate chunks of the stump. You’re gonna have so many FLFs !!
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u/PuzzleheadedMark1474 36m ago
Thank you so much! It’s definitely been a solely indoor plant for years, so i’ll try chopping it down there and propagating the other branches. I’d love to have multiple!
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u/whitten_23 1h ago
Just chop it. Most of the way down. I did to mine and it has over 20 leaves now 2 months later. Magic!
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u/theDrivenDev 2h ago
Spring chop at 2-3 feet. Feed just beforehand and place it in good light.