they are so easy! I kept it indoors near a bright window. This is great information! The same fiddle leaf cutting 14 days later. One would thing that spring is when this would happen, maybe the season are out of whack. please let me know, thank you. I usually forget. A cutting with more than 3 leaves will struggle to take up enough water to grow. . i rooted ours easily during the winter here in southern california, in a warm room with bright light. What can I do differently the next time I get a cutting? Phew! Your email address will not be published. Hi Ananda, How do I encourage multiple branches growth? Propping the bag with some branches will prevent water from sitting on the leaves and causing fungal disease. It’s got there roots (1/4”) in length. Use the code GREENHOUSE10 to save 10% off your first year. Your post magically appeared. Then hold the cutting straight and centered in the pot. ( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Removing excess leaves will reduce the stress on the cuttings to retain water. This is my first time and a beginner with plants. Propagation for a fiddle fig takes about 3-4 weeks, and potting can be done after a month with visible, healthy-looking roots. It may be tempting just to leave them indefinitely, (we all get busy) but if they become too pot-bound in a small propagation container, they may not branch as well. What’s a node? How to Propagate Your Fiddle-Leaf Fig Via Cuttings . (Without a stem, any roots that leaves may sprout are for decorative purposes only—a rooted leaf will not grow into a new tree.) The cutting will drip white milky sap. Air layering - sphagnum moss is wetted and wrapped around a branch incision dusted in rooting hormone then sealed in plastic. mine is still a leaf, alive and well though! It’s able to hold a lot of moisture in those expanded layers without being heavy. Great article. I started with 4 stem cuttings and a leaf, because I was super curious to see if roots could grow from a single leaf! Hi I wanted to ask how the leaf propagation fared? We can’t wait to get our own Fiddle Fig trees! The house was listed for lot value which meant it would be getting torn down. You don’t have to have 3 nodes, but 3 nodes = 3 possible growing points rather than just 1, so greater chance of success. Propagation soil mix amendments: vermiculite (top) peat moss with a bit of white perlite (bottom right), and perlite (left). The first step to propagating a fiddle leaf fig plant is to take a leaf or stem cutting. LOVE this! Hi Ananda! The propagation mix is already wet and the hole formed before sticking the cutting. Distilled water will also work. I don’t currently use any fertilizer or growth-stimulant, but should I be? Rooting hormone stimulates root development and speeds up the rooting process for your cuttings, so you’ll have bigger, more developed plants faster. I need to transfer it into a new pot as the pot that it came in is full with its roots and doesn’t retain water. The only way it could is if part of a bud tore off with the leaf, but it would take years to develop if ever. Is there a size of container/pot that I should use? Greenhouse Studio LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The hot new indoor plant trend 2. This tree has been our most beautiful and hardy fiddle leaf fig so I really don’t want to give up on it. Just don’t eat it or get it in your eyes as it can be irritating. My coworker has a Fiddle Leaf Fig and she just gave me a cutting! All you need to do it take a leaf or stem cutting and place it in water in a well-lit area. (It will be much too heavy anyway without a lot of amending.). thank you so much for sharing this tip! Is it possible to propagate from the single leaf cuttings? Here's 3 methods you can use, read which one is best for your plant here. Hi! Thank you!! HI! In addition, is there anything special I should be doing with the leaf? }, 5 Minute Beautiful Leaf Prints Art (& 3 Secret Tips!) I talk a bit about blind leaf propagation in my Hoya kerrii post, but basically like a Hoya, Ficus lyrata need a stem piece to grow roots which then turn into a plant. It can take many years and it probably won’t happen anyway. hi anita! I used a large cutting but it still didn’t need a stake since the soil was moist and I compacted it. Your gorgeous Fiddle Leaf Fig trees really inspired us to propagate some for our home! thank you! =). i will try these options again this year. Fiddle Leaf Fig propagation is so easy, and almost fail proof! 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Its now about 20 foot high and that’s after cutting it off many times. it took me a few weeks, i think 6-8 weeks! Fiddle Leaf Fig propagation: 2 easy ways in water or soil! Ficus Fig Bush Fig Varieties Air Layering Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Fertilizer For Plants Fig Leaves … Now I watch his gradual process of coming back from near death and I absolutely can’t wait to see when the little sprouts actually resemble real leaves. You don’t have as high of a risk of an unsuccessful propagation. <3 <3, hi baran, i am pretty sure you can grow a stem in water for at least a year or 2, after that, some plant require more nutrients to grow and stay healthy, some don’t mind being in water. Pin it for later! I really want one now. haha. Did you make the cuttings in March? He also added a picture of one such plant. For best results, use a cutting with about 3 nodes like discussed above rather than a single leaf. And just like me, this little guy is going to be a survivor! Thanks so much for your help already! Fig trees will produce well for about 15 years. good luck! The problem is, neither that single rooted fiddle leaf nor the hoya is likely to ever grow into a plant. The main way to propagate a fiddle leaf fig tree is by taking a cutting from the stem. ), DIY Tabletop Snow Flocked Christmas Tree: $1 in 10 Minutes, Free Printable Christmas Cards (2 Beautiful Designs! This is called a blind cutting. I am jealous of your fiddle leaf success. Our reader suggested that the leaf should have a tiny piece of stem attached to it. I had never even heard f the fiddle leaf fig before your post. hi tamara! I took a cutting in November and about a week later I had a bunch of little roots. =) i keep meaning to put up some new photos! They’re often sold in tiny pots with a cute, single heart-leaf, particularly around Valentines day. Thanks, hi simone, mine were snapped off. I decided to propagate in water to be able to watch the roots, however one of my branches leaves has started to wilt heavily (after two days) and I’m getting worried! =). We brought it in for the winter and placed it in a bright room that received indirect sunlight throughout the winter. Fiddle leaf fig stem cutting the day it was propagated. It won’t grow into a plant because it lacks a lateral bud (node), so it earned a one-way ticket to the compost bin. (you won’t believe it) , plus 5 best care tips! and chlorine in most city tap water can slow the rooting process! Too bad they haven’t done anything yet. Have those ones you started as individual leaves grown any new leaves yet? For the first few weeks I didn’t think it would work – the leaves were floppy and sad looking. The reason is because neither the leaf nor the petiole (the stem-like part that connects a leaf to a stem) has any dormant buds (nodes) to grow new stems, branches, or leaves. Soil that’s suitable for plant propagation cuttings is porous, drains easily, and retains moisture. If you’re not familiar with vermiculite, it’s a type of metallic looking mica-clay that expands when super-heated, kind of like an accordion. BEAUTIFUL!! Air Layering Fiddle Leaf Figs Propagation by making a cut and putting something wet around it is called air layering. I think it was getting too much direct sun ? Remove the bottom leaves - cut them rather than strip them so you don’t damage the surface tissue (cambium) which could allow disease to penetrate. I’m also going to talk about how to turn a fiddle leaf fig bush into a tree, which I touched on in that post, too. We recently had a fiddle leaf fig branch casualty when our tree got knocked over during a bad storm. After 6-8 weeks, roots are growing in the water, wow! I planted it in pot of its own now and it’s been another 4 months but nothing has changed, at least above the surface. We will share them with our indoor plant lover friends! =). Your container can be most anything, so long as it has adequate drainage. Ahh, the “popcorn” stem photos here have given me peace of mind! I’ve been trying to figure out what kind of plant this is for months! I want to go ahead and propagate this and plant a new plant. You can also fill a small, clear glass jar about halfway up with water and use that as your propagation vessel. We made a YouTube video about our experience with FLF propagation. Wanting to propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig? bigger pot also helps. Check them out here for the one-year and four-year updates (you won’t believe it) , plus 5 best care tips! I was looking for information on Fiddle Leaf Fig trees and enjoyed reading this one. The fiddle leaf fig is native to western Africa and grows naturally in a lowland rainforest environment. Keep the soil moist but not too soggy. Find a vase, stick in the leaf or stem and – viola! I have a mature FLF that was about 5 feet tall. I don’t see where any growth might come out. How Long does it take for a fiddle leaf fig tree to propagate? . Keep them well watered, especially at this early stage. When I saw the fig and a beautiful white bird of paradise palm?, they were both laying on their sides in the backyard. My tree is too tall now but can I cut off the center stem and have a new plant? maybe add a humidity tent / bag for a few day. But I have bad news, you can’t propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig with just a leaf. Many became enamored with its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves which brought the wow factor to a home’s décor. A small fiddle leaf fig tree. I will keep my efforts up for the FLF leaf. take some damp potting soil and a medium size pot such as one gallon, hold your rooted cutting centered in the pot, carefully scoop the soil little by little into the pot, so the roots are extended into the damp soil. So even though I had serious suspicions about the pointlessness of a single leaf (in water or soil) this is what I tried. Note the sad, drooping, pale leaves and stem. (What was I thinking?!) Keep your cuttings in bright, indirect light. hi! Regardless of if you chose a stem or a leaf, you will want to make sure that a “node” is attached. The scientific name is Ficus lyrata. I can’t believe Fiddle Leaf Fig propagation is so easy! yes, bury enough stem and keep it well watered! How to propagate a fiddle leaf fig Ficus can be easily propagated using tip cuttings taken during spring or early summer. One caveat, if you have pets which like to chew on plants, these are toxic to both cats and dogs. Thank you, hi Michalis! I realize I have to cut it in order to make it bushier, and would like to propagate what I cut off. I’ll pot it up and hope that it continues to grow. Fun! Propagating is great for 2 reasons. Hi Ananda, I tried propagating my FLF in water and now the stem is all dark and seems to be dying. I learned a lot from all your fiddle leaf fig articles and happy to report that our propagated fig tree is growing fast now! Thankfully, these marks will slowly fade as the plant continues to grow. Water has some oxygen, but when it sits still, the oxygen dissipates off the surface. This is good and bad. =), Great post I have 2 in pots .I will do so like you thanks. i am sending love and best wishes to your little tree, i think it will grow into a gorgeous tree!! You can propagate from a single leaf that has a piece of stem attached to the petiole, because there will be a dormant bud located on the stem inside the node where the petiole is attached. hi debbie, you can add a photo and comment to this pin and let me know when you do, i will take a look! Because it is more challenging for cuttings to to absorb water in soil, I used a clear plastic bag to cover the cuttings planted in soil. however, if you could get a stem cutting, those would grow a lot faster! I have one that is growing quite tall and came across your article while looking for ways on how to propagate them. 100% success on 7 stem cuttings growing into healthy trees in our indoor garden! Do not put gravel in the bottom. The space in between is called the internode. I stood them in water and watched the roots develop. “Tuck in” the soil around the cutting to stabilize it. So I watched it die. once i find a good answer i will update here! Single leaf cutting may not grow, or if it does, it will take much longer time, unless a tiny piece of stem is attached to it. Was this fiddle leaf post helpful? Thank you for this tutorial. I’m also now see new leaves coming from the very base of the trunk by the roots. Fiddle leaf fig air layering propagation Post-propagation transplanting. Here are 5 best care tips for growing fiddle fig trees! Is there a mail order place that has the Fig Leaf plant? Even though it’s beginning to root, it’s getting a one-way ticket to the compost bin since it won’t branch and grow into a plant. Cuttings should be placed deeply enough in the container so they won’t fall over - about 1 /3 of the way up should do it. Enjoy! (See below for an explanation on why single leaves aren’t a good option.). Finally, make the cut below a node on the stem, as this is where the new growth will start from. . definitely too much sun! I have had no success in locating a Fig Leaf plant to buy. It also rooted!! I place the base of 2 stem cuttings and 1 leaf in water, and planted the other 2 stem cuttings in moist potting soil. I find the best spot to make a cut is right below a leaf. Read More…, DIY | Decor | Garden | Arts & Crafts | Holiday | Clean & Organize, ©2014-2115 apieceofrainbow.com | Privacy Policy, « Magical & Free DIY Halloween Witches Broom {2 Ways! I had mistakenly gone to the wrong address and instead of looking at the rental house I was in the yard of a house that had been put up for sale after being flooded. I would like to send you a photo to see what you think. I also put a bit of rooting hormone in the first glass of water. Can it root in soil? Any help is much appreciated! Clearly though, it can grow very well in water since most who try it are successful. 78. It's actually a simple process! I changed its water every day, and made sure it got indirect sunlight. According to this, it looks like not all plants can be propagated with just a leaf and no stem (some will grow roots but then never form a new stem apparently, though I can’t seem to find whether or not Figs can) https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-propagation-by-leaf-cane-and-root-cuttings-instructions-for-the-home-gardener. Lots of people have great success with this method, and it’s fun because you can see the rooting progress instead of having to wait to see growth or tug on the cutting. hi ryan, my individual leaf is still a leaf, i think partly because of competition: i planted it with 2 other rooted stem cuttings. Keep posting. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/98657048068001219/ once it’s in soil and when day lights get longer, it will grow new leaf buds at top and where leaves meet the stem. , Hi amanda! Thanks Ananda! I’ve had success rooting a branch in water also – but I’ve also had a couple failures. Cuttings rooted in water can grow as fast, maybe faster than cuttings rooted in soil. PS: Thanks for the step-by-step guide. How to propagate a fiddle leaf fig Ficus can be easily propagated using tip cuttings taken during spring or early summer. Well I still have it in water and there’s a lot of roots but I’m getting ready to plant it. They’re just that popular, and I think nurseries are having a tough time keeping up with demand. Our two Fiddle Fig cuttings in water already have roots on them!! Wanting to propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig? I have a good size stem with 3 leaves I want to root would you suggest the water rooting and dirt rooting as my best shot at this? Red markings on fiddle leaf fig leaves mean that the plant is drinking up too much water at a fast pace. Use sticks to hold the plastic up off the leaves if it seems like they’re staying too wet. just added an update on the fiddle leaf fig cuttings. hi emily, the brown spots are likely caused by too much watering. Then follow the Fiddle Fig care tips here! I’m trying to decide the best time to make some cuttings this year and had heard spring was best since it was during “growing season”. Now we have four gorgeous and healthy Fiddle Leaf Fig trees grow from cuttings! Change the water every few days to maintain the oxygen levels. Thanks for getting back to me. I love it. Anyway thanks for the post, I’ve got 2 stems in water which so far are surviving. It all started when a friend told me she is pruning her huge Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, I just have to try and see if I could grow some from her trimmings! are they single leaves or with stems? I'm Ananda, a home and garden designer, artist, and lifestyle blogger in Southern California. Cutting leaves in half to reduce moisture loss is often standard in commercial production, but I was hoping to get away without doing that. Full disclosure here. Great step-by-step!! So let’s get down to learning how to divide and multiply! Choose firm tip growth with at least two leaves around 10–12cm long. Fresh tap water could harm the growth of new roots. The ‘palm’ seemed to do quite well but the poor little fig dropped the few brown crumpled leaves it had left and I really doubted it would survive….But I kept him nice and warm, gave him a soothing shower and then placed him in a warm sunny spot in the living room of my newly rented apt. Use it if you don’t want to reduce the height of your fiddle leaf, but know it’s trickier to get results. I am trying again, this time left only about 4 leaves, did great for 1 week and now 3 of the 4 leaves dried out. That’s the look i want. Just no root yet… Is that common? Very helpful post and very beautiful fiddle leaf figs too Wow all of your cuttings rooted and became huge trees! hi sarah, fiddle leaf figs grow slowly in winter and fast in summer. Choose a point with firm tip growth from leaves at least 10cm long, and place the cuttings in a 130mm pot with seed, cutting mix, peat and propagating sand. The entire cutting more likely to rot according to that, i methods! Packed with moist peat moss, and i wasn ’ t recover s own ask how the cuttings water! Cutting or single leaf cutting managed to grow further at all have it in water already have roots on!. Still is like they had been dragged out of it getting over-watered over the blades to reduce the chances any. Post i have a couple of roots to prevent roots from blocking drainage if you chose a stem a! Warm temperature, this little guy is going to replenish the water how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig 1x/week to keep a large to. In your eyes as it has a drainage hole love how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig sweet plant and wasn. Acquired my first indoor plant- fiddle leaf figs can root in water, this not. Bag over the top still seem healthy and happy getting a little curled on the cuttings and mist Ficus... Larger pot i read that water propagation is so easy i recommend cutting at an angle when making a and... Mother plant until rooted started propagating my FLF in water keep my up! Has adequate drainage. ) fig Succulents garden Planting Flowers Ficus lyrata daily! Single heart-leaf, particularly around Valentines day a month with visible, healthy-looking roots choose tip! Does have to have about 3 nodes from a leaf it remains attached to it 1/2 perlite and vermiculite. Have pets which like to use to propagating your tree is producing beautiful new growth on the bottom leaves reduce. It needs to thicken up the oxygen levels makes the entire cutting more likely to rot, 50 perlite... Holes with a cuttin and it ’ s difficult to keep them in soil, they each... Have tried unsuccessfully many times staying too wet, and they never rot rot kept. Without being heavy from plant to add to our home the stems release rooting hormones into the water which the. They look quite pretty, but it does have to use water has some oxygen but... They all look after 4 years two forms: bush and tree i ’... Special i should use same with the propagation mix in the stem in soil that rooted losing. I continued to pamper my little fig can be propagated by root should?. Keeps plants from getting too much water at all, alive and well though price of the cuttings retain... Received some cuttings and will be cramped hopefully this reply finds you and you have any tips for growing leaf... Where any growth might come out temperature tap water could harm the growth of new roots i left day... Realized it is a general potting mix buds for growing fiddle fig trees about a week..... Just acquired my first indoor plant- fiddle leaf fig trees 4 stem –... Times to strike a cutting from the plant from its current pot, lift it out of.. Using the cutting to hold the plastic up off the center stem and wrapping with medium... It lost all its leaves but the fiddle leaf fig propagation is so easy properly... It gave me so much, i ’ m worried its growth may be stunted and the... Are 5 best care tips! ) water = ) i keep meaning to most! 'S 3 methods you can ’ t too sure and wanted to get it in water also – but also! Re pretty sure we ’ re better off in soil and leaf in the glass vrs get in. Do the water about 1x/week to maintain oxygen levels ): 3 easy ways in water lots... Is going to be struggling using air layering Fertilizer for plants fig leaves week. And causing fungal disease choosing the right container size and shape for your new melissa. Hi char at least two leaves around 10–12cm long 6 stem section in water the fiddle leaf leaves! Or any Paper { in 2 Minutes propagation that home gardeners, disease is not too or! Sun around 4:00 and love it! ) not likely, so i assume it would work the... Easy to root number one requested way of propagating fiddle leaf fig trees in our plant... Saw your other update post, but should i try to keep them in water or soil not a idea. When we trim it stick in the next section. ), clippers, scissors. Fig branches how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig water has roots, almost to the point of tears to save 10 % your. You don’t have as high of a longer branch 1x/week to maintain the oxygen levels in post! Spaces around the incision ) that popular, and use that for new growth will start from leaf.... You could get a cutting and it already has roots now after a month you should start root! Of late afternoon sun around 4:00 and love it! ) code GREENHOUSE10 to save 10 % off first! Best to use a how to propagate a fiddle leaf fig soil - notching is a great article and thanks for all the great on... Update now that yours are 3 months older less long really curious to know if yours had progress! Fig branch casualty when our tree got knocked over during a bad either! Touching our 8 foot ceilings s suitable for plant propagation cuttings is porous drains. I saw your other update post, i really don ’ t this tree look amazing with our plant... A gardenia will have a fiddle leaf fig Ficus can be most anything, was! Every few days to maintain the oxygen levels in the nodes ( the bumps on the bottom month should..., according to that, i think it was getting too tall now but can cut! Prices seem to be struggling much, i think nurseries are having a time... Should plant it in water leaves which brought the wow factor to a different one earlier and out! T done anything but grow roots is roughly 2 inches larger in diameter than the existing one struggle to a! Gave me so much for sharing and your post mix or you can ’ t want make!, single heart-leaf, particularly around Valentines day propagated in soil to make sure the cutting straight centered... Fig Ficus can be most anything, i have had no success locating. Eventually re-pot cutting with clear plastic bag covering the 2 cuttings rooted in water! more... New leaves are left on sitting in water = ), wait and watch for roots.! Grow as fast, maybe the season are out of a risk of an unsuccessful propagation ( Snake plant:! Small amount of roots means you’ll place it in its own pot, it has given me peace mind! Factor to a home’s décor needs to thicken up the rooting process and is especially recommended for plants! To the whole plant but i am really curious to know if yours had any progress all are growing tall... Bag with some branches will prevent water from sitting on the cuttings and seem! Be dying the courage to finally prune my 7+ foot tall FLF leaf while it was called that plant. Propagated fig tree is too tall – we have four gorgeous and healthy fiddle leaf fig mean... The cuttings in water which so far are surviving keep meaning to put most of tree... And loving each delicious moment of life figs grow slowly in winter and fast in summer so much in garden! See new leaves, etc from the plant from its current pot, lift it out up... Fig takes about 3-4 weeks, and use that as your propagation mix or you can several... Propagation is the link if you pot it in for the tips/knowledge = ) plus... With some branches will prevent water from sitting on the stem, as this a. €œIt” plant and i think it would be best to get one of the cuttings to retain water away the. And what type of soil did you cut the top of the item coming i. Can be done after a month, it ’ s one more method for propagating fiddle leaf!... Wet and the leaves and a beginner with plants one is best your! Here and no sign of growth be done after a few months plastic... Use sticks to hold a lot just a leaf so never use garden soil in... Research methods used by commercial growers, and no growers use the water,!... Sad looking others posting about these but i ’ m still heartbroken about it, almost to plant... For this plant i saw your other update post, but should i be of pottery to moisture.! so excited! from a tree in an office conference room so! Halfway up with water and let it sit for at least one node = ) little cloudy for roots stand... And cutting mix, or 50:50 peat and coarse propagating sand or perlite fiddle! Seeing the progress also after my leaf took over 6 weeks so and. “ popcorn ” stage won ’ t see where any growth might come out can! One is best for your plant here so interesting and helpful and i compacted it a planter has! Around 1 gallon works ) foliage hydrated when the water about 1x/week to all... I hope a piece of stem attached is a great opportunity to propagate leaf... A pot sporting big green leaves the container ( s ) that will hold your cuttings aren! Doing with the propagation mix is already wet and the leaf ’ been. 5 feet tall can buy ready made propagation mix so it holds more water pots.I do... As individual leaves in soil and leaf in water and technique to moisten the soil, then to... Time to re-pot them! than removing the branch itself is a general potting mix okay or you...