Do you know how easy it is to propagate the fiddle leaf fig plants? Several methods are available for propagating fiddle leaf figs. Both water and soil are good mediums for propagating them. Moreover, there is success with both methods. It is possible to root a fiddle leaf from its stem, branch, or single leaf.
Additionally, propagating fiddle leaf fig plants has many benefits. First of all, it prevents your fiddle plant from growing too tall.
So, if you have a fiddle plant touching your ceiling, it’s best to propagate its cuttings. Usually, when you cut a stem, you get a branch or two growing from the cut.
Additionally, you get FREE plants, just root them in water or soil and they will grow their roots!
In this article, I am going to share 3 simple methods to propagate the fiddle leaf plants. Follow the steps carefully and you will soon have your very own fiddle leaf fig plant.
How to propagate fiddle leaf fig in water
Starting with the easiest method to propagate a fiddle leaf fig plant: water! A water propagation method is the best way to monitor the development of the roots.
Below, we are going to root the fiddle leaf fig from stem cutting. A little good news! You can follow the same method for leaf cutting.
Follow these steps to propagate a fiddle leaf fig in water.
Step 1: Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant
As mentioned earlier, you can use this method to propagate both leaves and stem cuttings. That’s because the fiddle leaves have a similar “stem infrastructure” to the roots.
However, if you are taking a leaf, make sure the tiny “stem/node” attached to the stem is captured.
Moreover, even if you take a cutting from a leaf, it may not grow into a new plant. Yet, it is a fun experiment to try. For stem cuttings, It is best to take a cutting that has buds on it.
Take a small stem cutting and make sure it has enough length to grow into a plant. Also, it will be easier to get the plant rooted in water if you remove a few of the lower leaves.
Also, make sure the cutting is not too large or has too many leaves. This is another reason for removing the bottom leaves.
Additionally, the new plant needs to spend its energy developing new roots rather than existing leaves!
Step 2: Put the stem cutting in water
Place your cutting in water. Ensure that the cutting is submerged in water. And place it in a sunny area.
Every week or so, refresh the water. Soon, you will notice a growth on the cutting’s bottom.
You will notice a white growth that looks like cauliflower clusters. That’s great!
However, please do not pull the cutting until it is ready to plant. Give it a few more weeks to sprout some good roots.
By doing this, you will reduce the shock that the plant will experience when it is transferred to the soil. With a strong root system, it will adapt quickly to its new environment.
During rooting in water, you may even notice new growth on the top of the cuttings! That’s great news!
Step 3: After the cutting has been rooted, plant it
Once your cutting has a sufficient root system, plant it in a pot filled with fresh, well-draining soil.
Keep the soil moist until you see new growth sprouting from the bud at the top of the cutting. Moreover, misting the newly planted cutting leaves will help the plant thrive in a humid environment.
To conserve the plant’s growing energy, cut the larger original leaf in half. By doing so, the plant can spend more energy on establishing its roots.
How to propagate fiddle leaf fig from a single leaf
For propagating fiddle leaf fig plants from a single leaf, you will need a new pot filled with potting soil, a sharp knife, and a plastic bag. Your plastic bag should be wide enough to fit around your pot. Lastly, chopsticks or tall twigs will work.
Step 1: First, prepare a pot with all-purpose potting soil. Then add water to moisten the soil. In addition, you can propagate your plants in a small jar filled halfway with water.
Step 2: Cut a leaf with a clean and sharp blade. It is best to trim off the leaf close to the stem.
Step 3: Place the leaf-cutting’s base in a pot filled with moistened soil. Now, cover the cutting with a clear plastic bag. To avoid the bag touching the leaf, place chopsticks or twigs in the soil.
Make sure you mist your cutting every day. Also, keep the pot moist by making sure the bag is tight.
Step 4: Put your cuttings in a sunny window and keep an eye on them for signs of rot. Within six to eight weeks, roots should begin to grow.
Step 5: Plant your rooted cutting in small containers and provide it with the same care that you normally give them. As the plants grow, they will benefit from increased humidity. A bathroom window is ideal if it receives enough sunlight.
How to Propagate Fiddle-Leaf Fig Plant by Air Layering
To propagate fiddle leaf figs using the air layering method, you will need
- Sharp knife
- Toothpick
- A handful of long-fibered sphagnum moss
- Twine or twist ties
- Sheet of clear plastic
- Optimal rooting hormone.
Step 1: Choose a healthy side branch or stem from your fiddle-leaf fig and mark the spot where you would like the roots to grow.
Whenever you air-layer a plant before pruning, choose a spot 6 inches below the lowest leaves.
Step 2: Make a clean, sharp cut about one-third of the way through the stem or branch using the blade.
Step 3: To keep the cut open, insert a toothpick sideways. At this point, you can apply rooting hormone to the cut surface of the stem to speed up the process. However, new roots will still grow without them.
Step 4: Using twine or twist ties, tie a big handful of moistened sphagnum moss around the stem cut. As a result, the new roots will have a place to grow.
Step 5: Just above and below the cutting, wrap the plastic around the stem or branch to completely cover the moss ball. In this way, moisture will be retained.
Step 6: In a few months, you will be able to see new roots growing in the stem or branch.
To remove the plastic wrap, cut the stem or branch just below the new roots.
Put your new fig tree in a pot with fresh soil and leave the moss on the roots. Don’t forget to take care of it as usual.
After air layering, if you need to trim a leggy plant, cut off the bare stem about 5 inches above the soil line. Add fresh soil to the pot and fill it up.
If you pruned your fiddle-leaf fig, keep an eye on the soil moisture closely. As the plant has no leaves, it doesn’t need as much water as before. However, the soil should still be just barely moist. As your tree’s stem shows new growth, gradually give it more water.
Common fiddle leaf fig propagation problems
1. Fiddle leaf fig propagates slowly
Don’t give up! If your fiddle leaf is not growing much. For new cuttings to root, it will take approximately four to eight weeks. Afterward, new leaves begin to grow on the newly rooted cuttings after about six months.
Most growers throw away cuttings before they discover new roots and give up on the plants before they have new leaves. However, patience pays off.
2. You can expect some variability
There will be some variability in fiddle cuttings if you are growing many of them. A few new roots will grow within three to four weeks. Some will take eight to nine weeks.
It is important to understand that each cutting is different. Some other factors affect the rooting process, including hormones, light, and time.
Hence, before you give up on cuttings, you should at least allow them 10-12 weeks.
3. Protecting new cuttings from bacteria and toxins
In addition to strengthening growth and photosynthesis, the rooting hormone protects newly cut cuttings from bacteria and toxins that can cause them to fail.
Using this easy-to-use product, you can clone hard-to-produce plants faster.
A few questions on fiddle leaf fig propagation
Is it better to propagate fiddle leaf fig in water or soil?
Water propagation can grow cuttings as fast, or even faster than soil propagation. A single leaf cutting might not grow, or if it does, it will take much longer, unless it is attached to some stem. Yet, it is best to keep the cuttings in a warm environment to encourage the growth of roots.
Are fiddle leaf figs hard to propagate?
A fiddle leaf fig is a relatively easy plant to propagate.
Fiddle leaf figs are propagated by taking cuttings and allowing them to root in soil or water. There is a degree of difficulty involved in propagating most houseplants.
Can I propagate fiddle leaf fig in winter?
Yes. Propagating plants from cuttings or branches all year round has proven successful for fiddle leaf figs. The process just takes longer when the growing season isn’t in full swing!
Can I propagate a fiddle leaf fig with just a leaf?
Yes, you can propagate a fiddle leaf fig with just a leaf. Putting a cutting or single leaf in water is another popular way to propagate fiddle leaf figs. A lot of people find this method very helpful, and it’s a lot more fun than waiting for roots to grow or tugging at cut ends.
How long does it take a fiddle leaf fig to root in water?
It takes six to eight weeks for roots to grow in the water. During this period, you don’t need to change the water. After the roots are 1 to 2 inches long, you can plant the rooted Fiddle Leaf Fig cuttings in the soil and watch them grow!
Conclusion
As you can see there are various methods to propagate the fiddle leaf fig plant. Moreover, it is easy to propagate them.
Depending on your preference, you can either propagate in water or soil. A fiddle leaf cutting will root in water or soil.
The growing medium won’t affect the fiddle leaf propagation. However, both method has their pros and cons. In the water method, it is easy to propagate the fiddle leaf fig compared to soil. Yet, I recommend using the soil method.
This method eliminates the risk of breaking fragile new roots when transplanting them from water to soil.
However, you will enjoy both methods.
Also, it’s very important to use a rooting hormone when rooting cuttings in water or soil. The chemical powder tells your plant to focus on growing roots instead of leaves. If you don’t use it, you will have a hard time succeeding.
Before you go, what’s your preferred method of propagating fiddle leaf figs? Drop us a comment below.
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