What To Do When Fiddle Leaf Fig Gets Too Tall

When your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, you have several great options to manage its height and keep it looking its best.
 
A fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall is a common issue for indoor plant lovers, but it’s not a problem you have to live with.
 
Once your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall for your space, you can prune it, propagate the cutting, or even notch the trunk to encourage branching.
 
In this post, we’ll explore exactly what to do when fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, the best pruning techniques, and how to keep your plant healthy and compact.
 
Let’s dive into how to handle a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall so you can enjoy a fuller, more manageable plant.
 

Why Your Fiddle Leaf Fig Gets Too Tall

Before you panic, it helps to understand why your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall in the first place.
 
A fiddle leaf fig gets too tall primarily because it’s growing toward the light, and in many homes, that means stretching upward.
 
Fiddle leaf figs are trees in the wild, so their natural instinct is to reach for the sky to compete for sunlight.
 
When your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall indoors, it’s usually because it’s getting plenty of light from above or from a nearby window, but not enough to encourage bushy side growth.
 
Another reason a fiddle leaf fig gets too tall is that it hasn’t been pruned regularly, so it’s just doing what comes naturally.
 
The good news is that a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall is perfectly fixable with a little know-how and some sharp scissors.
 

What to Do When Fiddle Leaf Fig Gets Too Tall: Pruning

So, what to do when fiddle leaf fig gets too tall? The most effective solution is pruning.
 
Pruning is the number one answer when your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall because it directly controls height and encourages new growth lower down.
 
Here’s how to prune a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall.
 

1. Choose the Right Time to Prune

Timing matters a lot when your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall.
 
The best time to prune a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall is in the spring or early summer during its active growing season.
 
Pruning during this time gives your plant plenty of energy to recover and push out new branches.
 
Avoid pruning in winter when growth slows down, as that can stress a fiddle leaf fig that already gets too tall.
 

2. Cut Above a Leaf Node

When your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, you’ll want to make your cut about a quarter inch above a leaf node.
 
A leaf node is the small bump where a leaf attaches to the stem, and that’s where new growth will emerge.
 
When you prune a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall, cut at a slight angle to prevent water from pooling on the cut surface.
 
This simple technique helps your fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall bounce back quickly.
 

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Cut a Lot

Many people worry about cutting too much, but when a fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, you can safely remove up to one-third of the plant’s height.
 
If your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall and you only trim a few inches, you won’t see a dramatic difference.
 
Be bold with your cuts, because a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall will thank you later with new side shoots.
 
Remember, the goal is to reduce height while encouraging a denser, bushier shape.
 

4. Sterilize Your Tools

Before you tackle a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall, make sure your pruning shears are clean and sharp.
 
Wipe them down with rubbing alcohol to avoid introducing bacteria or fungus to your fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall.
 
Clean cuts heal faster, so this step is crucial for any fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall.
 

What to Do With the Cutting From a Fiddle Leaf Fig That Gets Too Tall

Now that you’ve pruned your fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall, don’t throw away the top cutting.
 
That cutting from a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall can become a brand new plant.
 
Here’s how to propagate the top you removed.
 

1. Place the Cutting in Water

Take the top section you removed from your fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall and place it in a jar of clean water.
 
Make sure the stem is submerged but the leaves stay dry.
 
Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and oxygenated.
 
Within a few weeks, roots should start to form on your cutting from the fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall.
 

2. Pot the Rooted Cutting

Once the roots are a couple of inches long, you can plant your new fiddle leaf fig in a pot with well-draining soil.
 
This gives you two plants from one that got too tall, which is a fantastic bonus.
 
So when your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, you’re not just fixing a problem, you’re multiplying your plant collection.
 

Other Ways to Handle a Fiddle Leaf Fig That Gets Too Tall

Pruning is the main answer to what to do when fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, but there are some alternatives.
 

1. Notching to Encourage Branching

If your fiddle leaf fig gets too tall but you don’t want to cut the top off, try notching.
 
With notching, you make small cuts in the trunk just above a node without removing any top growth.
 
This can trick a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall into producing branches lower down, which fills out the plant.
 
Notching works best on a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall but is otherwise healthy.
 

2. Stake It for Support

Sometimes a fiddle leaf fig gets too tall and becomes top-heavy, leaning or bending under its own weight.
 
In that case, you can insert a sturdy stake into the pot and gently tie the trunk to it.
 
This won’t reduce height, but it can stabilize a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall and prevent breakage.
 

3. Improve Light Exposure

A fiddle leaf fig gets too tall when it’s light-starved and reaching for a distant light source.
 
Rotate your plant regularly and place it in a spot with bright, indirect light for most of the day.
 
Good light won’t stop a fiddle leaf fig that already gets too tall, but it will encourage fuller growth moving forward.
 

4. Avoid Over-Fertilizing

If you feed your fiddle leaf fig too much, it grows rapidly and gets too tall even faster.
 
Stick to a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
 
This keeps your fiddle leaf fig healthy without causing it to get too tall unexpectedly.
 

So, What to Do When Fiddle Leaf Fig Gets Too Tall?

When fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, the best thing to do is prune it back hard.
 
Cutting the top off encourages branching and immediately reduces the height to a manageable level.
 
Don’t forget to propagate the cutting so you get a second plant for free.
 
And be consistent with light and care so your fiddle leaf fig doesn’t get too tall again.
 
With regular pruning and a little patience, a fiddle leaf fig that gets too tall becomes a lush, compact, and gorgeous indoor tree.
 
Now you know exactly what to do when fiddle leaf fig gets too tall, and you can tackle it with confidence.