As a gardener, I’d love to decorate my indoors with greenery. Fiddle Leaf Fig is one such indoor plant that is prominent for its glossy leaves and dramatic presence.
But buying a bunch of these plants can be expensive.
Well, if you know how to propagate fiddle leaf fig at home, you can easily grow more houseplants without draining your wallet.
Choose a healthy stem from the Fiddle leaf fig plant. Use a sterilized sharp scissor to cut the stem and apply rooting hormone to encourage rooting.
Once roots appear, you can plant the young fiddle leaf fig in a well-drained growing medium.
Propagating or growing fiddle leaf fig plants from cutting is easy only when you provide a suitable environment for the plant to thrive.
In the below write-up, I’ll discuss in detail the growing conditions of the plant and a step-by-step guide to propagating the houseplant.
Can You Propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Yes, you can propagate a fiddle leaf fig through stem cuttings. With the right care, you can grow a new plant from an existing one.
The plant can be propagated through water, soil, or even by air layering.
Whether you’re looking to expand your collection or rescue a leggy plant, propagation offers a great way to do so.
Best Time to Propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig
Spring and early summer are regarded as the active growing seasons of fiddle leaf fig.
During this time, the plant produces new growth, which helps to encourage faster root development and successful propagation.
Propagating during the dormant months, such as winter, may result in slower growth and lower success rates due to reduced plant activity.
How to Propagate Fiddle Leaf Fig from Cuttings?
Propagating a fiddle leaf fig from cuttings is an excellent way to grow new plants from an existing one. This process encourages the cutting to develop roots, allowing it to grow into a healthy, independent plant.
While there are multiple methods for propagation, soil propagation is a popular and straightforward method that yields great results when done correctly. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to propagate your fiddle leaf fig in soil.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Propagation in Soil
Step 1: Choose a Healthy Cutting
Selecting a healthy stem cutting is the first step to propagate the fiddle leaf fig plant.
Look for a stem that has at least one node (the small bump where leaves or branches emerge).
The cutting should be about 6-12 inches long, with a few healthy leaves attached. Avoid cutting a piece that’s too leggy or damaged, as these may not root successfully.
Use a sharp, sterilized pair of scissors or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below the node. Make sure the cutting is fresh, as older or dried-out cuttings are less likely to root.
Step 2: Trim the Cutting
Once you’ve taken the cutting, remove any excess leaves or branches from the lower portion of the stem.
You want to leave just one or two leaves at the top of the cutting, as the plant will focus its energy on root development rather than supporting extra foliage.
Trimming the bottom leaves also helps prevent them from rotting in the soil.
Also Read: How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings?
Step 3: Apply Rooting Hormone
While not necessary, applying rooting hormone to the cut end of the stem can significantly increase your chances of success. The hormone encourages the cutting to develop roots more quickly.
Simply dip the cut end into the powder or gel and tap off any excess before planting it in the soil. This step is optional but recommended if you’re aiming for faster and stronger root growth.
Step 4: Prepare the Soil
For soil propagation, it’s essential to use well-draining soil. A mix of potting soil and perlite works great, as it provides adequate drainage while still retaining enough moisture for the cutting to root.
Fill a small pot with this mix, leaving a couple of inches of space at the top.
Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent excess moisture from accumulating at the bottom, which could cause rot.
Step 5: Plant the Cutting
Insert the cutting about 1-2 inches deep into the soil, ensuring that the node (the part where roots will form) is buried in the soil.
Gently press the soil around the cutting to keep it upright and secure.
Make sure the cutting is stable and doesn’t wobble, as this could damage developing roots.
Create a Humid Environment
To help your fiddle leaf fig cutting root successfully, you’ll need to maintain a high-humidity environment around it.
You can create this by covering the pot with a plastic bag or a humidity dome. This helps retain moisture around the cutting, mimicking the humid conditions of its native environment.
Make sure the plastic doesn’t touch the leaves to avoid rot. You can also mist the cutting with water every few days to keep the humidity levels high.
Provide Proper Light and Temperature
Place the potted cutting in bright, indirect light, as too much direct sunlight can scorch the cutting or dry it out too quickly.
The ideal temperature for rooting is around 70-80F. Keep the cutting in a warm, well-lit area, but avoid placing it in harsh sunlight or a drafty spot.
Monitor and Water Carefully
During the propagation process, it’s important to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Water the cutting when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t overwater, as this can cause the cutting to rot.
Be sure to keep an eye on the humidity levels and adjust the plastic cover if necessary to prevent mold from forming.
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Wait for Root Development
Rooting typically takes about 4 to 8 weeks, but this duration may vary based on the conditions and the size of the cutting.
After a few weeks, you may notice new growth at the top of the cutting, which indicates that roots are forming below the soil.
Gently tug on the cutting to check for resistance; if it resists, it means roots have taken hold.
Transplant
Once you see new growth and the roots have developed enough to anchor the cutting in the soil, it’s time to transplant your fiddle leaf fig into a larger pot.
Gently remove the cutting from the small pot and transfer it into a bigger container with regular potting mix.
Make sure the new pot has drainage holes and provide the plant with proper care to ensure it continues to thrive.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Propagation in Water
Water propagation follows a similar process to soil propagation, but instead of planting the cutting directly in the soil, you allow it to develop roots in water first.
After preparing the cutting as described earlier, please place it in a jar of clean, room-temperature water, ensuring that the node (where roots will form) is fully submerged while the leaves remain above the surface.
Position the jar in bright, indirect light and change the water every 4-5 days to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth.
Over the next 3-6 weeks, roots will begin to emerge. Once they grow to about 2 inches long, the cutting is ready to be transplanted into a pot with well-draining soil, where it can continue to establish itself as a new plant.
Also Read: How to Propagate Lavender Plant From Cuttings?
Fiddle-Leaf Fig Propagation by Air Layering
Air layering is an excellent method for propagating a fiddle leaf fig, especially for larger, more mature plants where cutting may not be ideal. This technique encourages the plant to develop roots while still attached to the parent plant, increasing the chances of successful propagation.
Step 1: Select a Stem and Make an Incision
Choose a healthy, mature stem with a node where you want the roots to grow. Using a sharp, sterilized knife, make a small horizontal cut about one-third of the way into the stem, just below a node. To keep the cut open, you can insert a small piece of toothpick or matchstick to prevent it from healing too quickly.
Step 2: Apply Rooting Hormone and Wrap with Moss
Dust the cut area with rooting hormone to encourage faster root growth. Then, take a handful of moist sphagnum moss and wrap it around the cut. The moss should be damp but not dripping wet.
Step 3: Secure with Plastic Wrap
Wrap the moss-covered section with plastic wrap to hold in moisture and create a greenhouse effect. Secure the top and bottom with twist ties or string, ensuring the moss stays in place.
Step 4: Wait for Roots to Develop
Keep the moss consistently moist by misting it occasionally. Over the next 4-6 weeks, roots should start forming inside the moss. You can gently unwrap the plastic to check for root growth.
Step 5: Cut and Plant the New Growth
Once you see healthy roots, use sterilized scissors to cut the stem just below the rooted section.
Carefully remove the plastic wrap and transfer the rooted portion into a pot with well-draining soil. Water lightly and place the new plant in bright, indirect light to help it adjust.
Air layering is a great option for propagating larger fiddle leaf figs and can result in a strong, well-established new plant with minimal risk.
How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig after Propagation?
Once your propagated fiddle leaf fig has developed roots and been transplanted into soil, it’s important to provide the right care to help it thrive.
- Start by placing the plant in bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can be too harsh for young roots. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to support healthy growth.
- Keep the plant in a warm environment, ideally between 65-80F, and avoid placing it near drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters.
- Water your new fiddle leaf fig carefully—keeping the soil moist but not soggy is key.
- Check the top inch of soil and water only when it feels dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering may slow growth.
- If you propagate in soil, continue misting occasionally to maintain humidity, but remove any plastic covering once the plant starts growing new leaves.
Since young plants are still developing, avoid fertilizing for the first 4-6 weeks after propagation.
Once the plant is stable, you can begin feeding it with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
Regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust, which helps the plant absorb more light and stay healthy.
New fiddle leaf fig plants take time to establish themselves. If you notice slow growth, focus on providing stable conditions with proper light, humidity, and watering.
With consistent care, your propagated fiddle leaf fig will soon develop into a strong, thriving houseplant.
Also Read: How to Propagate Monstera Plant?
Conclusion
Propagating a fiddle leaf fig is a rewarding and cost-effective way to grow new plants from an existing one.
Whether using soil, water, or air layering, each method can successfully produce a healthy plant with proper care. Patience is key, as roots take time to develop, and maintaining the right balance of light, moisture, and humidity is essential.
Once rooted and transplanted, consistent watering, bright indirect light, and occasional fertilization will help your plant thrive.
With the right approach, you can easily expand your collection or share new plants with friends and family.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting