Learn How to Train a Fiddle Leaf Fig into a Mini Indoor Tree with simple tips and boost the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Yes, you can grow your fiddle leaf fig (FLF) into a tree! These plants are very flexible—you can keep them bushy or train them to develop into a tree shape. To do this, you’ll need patience, because trees take time to grow.
If you bring home a smaller, bushier FLF, that’s a great place to start. Younger plants are typically less expensive and easier to experiment with. If you’re still learning how to care for fiddle leaf figs, starting small is less of a risk in case the plant doesn’t do well. Additionally, with a younger plant, you have the opportunity to shape and grow it into the size and style you prefer.
How to Train a Fiddle Leaf Fig into a Mini Indoor Tree
Choose the Right Plant
Start with a healthy fiddle leaf fig that has a strong main stem. If your plant is young and bushy, don’t worry, you can shape it over time. A plant with one or two tall stems works best if you want that “tree” look.
Support the Main Stem
For a tree shape, you need one strong trunk. If your fiddle leaf fig leans or grows sideways, use a stake to keep it upright. Tie the stem loosely with soft plant ties so it doesn’t break. This will help it grow tall and straight.
Prune for Shape
Pruning is the most important step. Use clean scissors or shears to cut off lower leaves and small side branches near the bottom of the stem. This will create a bare trunk. Keep the top leaves so they form a leafy “crown.”
Remove only a few leaves at a time to avoid stressing the plant. Step back often to check the shape as you prune.
Pinch and Prune the Top
If your fiddle leaf fig is getting too tall, you can pinch or trim the top. This encourages branching at the top of the plant, which gives your tree a fuller crown. Pinching means snapping off the very tip of the growing stem with your fingers.
Encourage Branching
Sometimes, fiddle leaf figs don’t branch easily. To encourage new branches:
Notching your fiddle leaf fig might feel a little scary, but it’s really not! Just use clean, sharp cutters, or a razor if the trunk is thin. Make a cut about one-third across the trunk and one-third deep, at a slight angle. Be sure to do this just above a leaf node. If you’ve done it right, you’ll see some milky white sap drip out. If nothing happens within a week and the bud below doesn’t respond, simply notch the same spot again.
Place the plant in bright, indirect sunlight. Intense light encourages fuller growth.
Repot When Needed
A mini tree needs room for its roots to grow. Repot your fiddle leaf fig every 1–2 years into a pot that is slightly bigger than the old one. Use well-draining soil so the roots don’t sit in water.
Be Patient
Training a fiddle leaf fig into a mini tree takes time. Growth depends on light, water, and the plant’s health. With patience and regular care, your fiddle leaf fig will slowly take on the elegant tree shape you want.
