How To Get A Fiddle Leaf Fig To Grow Tall

To get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall, you need to combine the right light, watering habits, and a bit of patience.

The journey to a tall fiddle leaf fig isn’t about a single magic trick, but rather about creating the perfect environment for vertical growth.

If you’ve been struggling to help your fiddle leaf fig grow tall, you’re likely missing one of the key conditions we’ll cover here.

In this post, we’ll explore exactly how to get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall by focusing on light, nutrients, and pruning techniques.

Let’s dig into the secrets that will have your fiddle leaf fig reaching for the ceiling in no time.
 

Why Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Won’t Grow Tall

Your fiddle leaf fig won’t grow tall if it’s stuck in a low-light corner or sitting in soggy soil.

The number one reason a fiddle leaf fig fails to grow tall is insufficient sunlight.

These plants are native to bright, dappled light of West African rainforests, so they crave intense, indirect rays.

Without that energy, your fiddle leaf fig simply can’t produce the new leaves needed to grow tall.

Another huge factor is root-bound stress, where a fiddle leaf fig can’t grow tall because its roots are circling the pot.

When roots have no room to spread, the canopy stays stagnant, and you’ll never see that dramatic height increase you want.

Let’s fix these issues one by one to get your fiddle leaf fig to grow tall.
 

1. Give It Maximum Bright Indirect Light

To get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall, place it directly in front of a south or west-facing window.

Your fiddle leaf fig will grow tall faster when it receives at least six hours of bright, filtered sunlight daily.

However, avoid harsh afternoon sun that can scorch the large leaves.

If your window is north-facing, consider adding a grow light to help your fiddle leaf fig grow tall indoors.

Rotate the pot a quarter turn every week so every side gets even light, which keeps the trunk straight and encourages your fiddle leaf fig to grow tall without leaning.
 

2. Water Deeply But Only When Dry

Proper watering is critical if you want a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall without root rot.

Water your fiddle leaf fig only when the top two inches of soil feel completely dry to the touch.

When you do water, soak it thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes, then dump the excess saucer water.

A fiddle leaf fig will grow tall when roots stay consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Overwatering is the quickest way to kill your height goals, as soggy roots can’t uptake the nutrients needed to grow tall.

On the flip side, don’t let the soil go bone dry for days, as drought stress also stalls vertical growth.
 

3. Feed It a Balanced Fertilizer

A fiddle leaf fig won’t grow tall without essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for fiddle leaf figs, or a balanced 3-1-2 liquid feed.

Apply fertilizer every month during spring and summer, which is the active growing season for a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall.

Dilute the fertilizer to half strength to avoid burning the sensitive roots.

During fall and winter, stop feeding because a fiddle leaf fig can’t grow tall in cooler, dormant months.

Remember, fertilizer is a booster, not a substitute for good light and watering.
 

Pruning and Training Tricks to Grow a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tall

Pruning might sound counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful way to get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall.

When you remove the top growth, you force the plant to push energy into lower buds and the main stem.

But careful, only prune in spring when the plant is actively growing.

Use clean, sharp shears to cut just above a leaf node at a 45-degree angle.

This trick encourages a single, strong central leader that helps your fiddle leaf fig grow tall and straight.

You can also gently shake the trunk for a few seconds each day to mimic wind.

That micro-stress makes the trunk thicker and sturdier, supporting more height as your fiddle leaf fig grows tall.
 

1. Stake the Trunk for Vertical Support

When a fiddle leaf fig leans rather than grows tall, staking is your best friend.

Insert a bamboo stake next to the trunk and loosely tie the stem to it with soft plant ties.

The stake guides your fiddle leaf fig to grow tall and upright, preventing that frustrating zigzag pattern.

Check the ties monthly to loosen them as the trunk thickens.

Staking works best when combined with even light rotation, so the plant doesn’t bend toward the window.
 

2. Notch the Trunk to Force New Growth

Notching is an advanced but effective technique to get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall and bushy.

Using a sterile knife, make a small horizontal cut about 1/8 inch deep into the trunk, just above a dormant bud.

This wound interrupts the flow of auxin (a growth hormone) and signals the bud below to activate.

Once that bud sprouts, you’ll see a new branch that adds height and fullness to your fiddle leaf fig.

Don’t notch more than a couple spots at a time, as too many cuts can stress the plant and stop it from growing tall.
 

3. Repot When Root-Bound

You’ll never get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall if it’s pot-bound in a tiny container.

Check the drainage holes for roots peeking out, or lift the pot to see if roots fill the soil.

When root-bound, gradually move to a pot just 2 inches larger in diameter.

Too big a pot retains excess moisture, which can rot roots and prevent vertical growth.

Use a well-draining mix of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.

After repotting, give your fiddle leaf fig a few weeks to settle before resuming fertilizer, and it will reward you with new height.
 

So, How to Get a Fiddle Leaf Fig to Grow Tall?

To get a fiddle leaf fig to grow tall, you must provide bright indirect light, consistent moisture, and regular feeding.

Pruning, staking, notching, and repotting are advanced techniques that all work toward the same goal.

A fiddle leaf fig will grow tall when you mimic its natural rainforest habitat as closely as possible.

If you consistently follow these five pillars, you’ll see noticeable new growth within a few weeks.

The key is patience, as a fiddle leaf fig grows tall at its own pace, usually 1 to 2 feet per year indoors.

Don’t get discouraged if your plant pauses during winter, that’s just its natural cycle.

Keep rotating, keep watering properly, and you will absolutely get your fiddle leaf fig to grow tall.

Start with the light first, because that’s the single biggest change that tells your fiddle leaf fig to grow tall.

Before you know it, you’ll be measuring new leaves and celebrating every inch of that gorgeous height.