Seeing your fiddle leaf fig growing leaves at bottom is a great sign. It means your plant is happy enough to put energy into new growth. This lower foliage can help create a fuller, more bushy appearance, which many owners prefer over a tall, leggy tree.
But sometimes, this bottom growth happens instead of new leaves up top. Your goal is to encourage healthy new growth all over. With a few simple adjustments to care, you can guide your fiddle leaf fig to become lush and balanced.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Growing Leaves At Bottom
When a fiddle leaf fig focuses on growing leaves at the bottom, it’s often responding to its environment. This growth pattern is called “basal growth.” It’s not necessarily bad, but understanding why it’s happening is the first step to managing it. Your plant is trying to tell you something about its light, health, or needs.
Why Is My Fiddle Leaf Fig Only Growing Leaves at the Bottom?
There are a few common reasons for this growth habit. Identifying your plant’s specific cause is key.
- Insufficient Light: This is the number one cause. Fiddle leaf figs need very bright, indirect light to grow tall. If the light is too dim, the plant may put energy into lower leaves where it senses light (from a side window, for example) instead of reaching upward.
- Recovery After Stress: If your plant has recently lost leaves due to overwatering, underwatering, or shock, new bottom leaves can be a sign of recovery. The plant is stabilizing itself.
- Natural Bushiness: Some fiddle leaf figs are just genetically more inclined to be bushy. Pruning can also stimulate lower growth points.
- Top Damage: If the main growing tip (the apical bud) is damaged or removed, the plant will redirect it’s energy to lower buds.
How to Encourage Healthy New Growth All Over
You want a plant that grows both upward and outward. The following steps will help you achieve that balanced, healthy look.
1. Optimize Light Exposure
Light is the most important factor. Your fiddle leaf fig needs to feel like it’s in a bright, sunny forest canopy.
- Place it directly in front of a large, east, south, or west-facing window. A north window is rarely enough.
- Clean the leaves regularly so they can absorb maximum light.
- Rotate the plant a quarter turn every week. This ensures all sides get light and promotes even growth.
- Consider a grow light during darker winter months if you don’t have a perfect window.
2. Water Correctly and Consistently
Watering mistakes cause major stress, which halts growth. Your goal is a steady, moist but not soggy, root environment.
- Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Stick your finger in to check.
- Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes. This encourages deep roots.
- Empty the saucer after 30 minutes so the pot doesn’t sit in water.
- Reduce watering frequency in the winter when growth slows.
3. Feed With the Right Fertilizer
New leaves require nutrients. A hungry plant won’t have the energy for robust growth.
- Use a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer (like a 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio).
- Fertilize only during the active growing season (spring and summer).
- Follow the label instructions—over-fertilizing can burn roots and harm the plant.
- Some growers find that a fertilizer with a slighty higher nitrogen content promotes leafy growth.
4. Prune Strategically
Pruning is a powerful tool to direct your plant’s energy and shape its growth.
- To encourage top growth: Do not cut off the top. The apical bud at the very top releases hormones that suppress lower buds. Removing it triggers bushiness.
- To encourage branching: If you want a bushier plant, you can notch or pinch the very top bud. This will divert energy to side branches.
- To tidy up: You can remove any small, weak, or damaged lower leaves to direct resources to stronger growth.
- Always use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts.
5. Ensure Proper Potting and Roots
Healthy growth starts with healthy roots. Check these factors every year or two.
- Drainage: The pot must have drainage holes. Root rot from soggy soil is a common killer.
- Pot Size: Only repot when roots circle the bottom or grow out the holes. A pot that’s too large holds excess moisture.
- Soil: Use a well-draining, aerated potting mix. A mix for indoor trees or aroid plants is ideal. You can add perlite to regular potting soil to improve drainage.
What to Do With the Bottom Leaves?
Should you remove them? It depends on your desired look.
- Keep them if you want a fuller, tree-like base. They contribute to overall plant health through photosynthesis.
- Remove them gradually if you prefer a cleaner, trunk-like stem. Only remove 1-2 leaves at a time to avoid shocking the plant. Do this during the growing season.
FAQ: Fiddle Leaf Fig Growth Questions
Q: Is it bad if my fiddle leaf fig grows leaves at the bottom?
A: Not at all! It’s a sign of growth. It only becomes a “problem” if you want a taller plant and the top isn’t growing. Usually, fixing the light fixes this.
Q: How can I get my fiddle leaf fig to grow more leaves on top?
A> Maximize bright, indirect light. Ensure consistent watering and proper feeding during spring and summer. Avoid damaging the top bud.
Q: Why is my fiddle leaf fig not growing any new leaves?
A: The most likely culprits are low light, incorrect watering, lack of fertilizer, or it’s dormant in winter. Check for pests like spider mites, which can also stunt growth.
Q: How often should a healthy fiddle leaf fig grow new leaves?
A: During peak growing season (spring/summer), you might see 1-2 new leaves per month. Growth slows or stops in fall and winter.
Q: Can I cut the top off to make it bushier?
A: Yes, but know that this will permanently encourage branching lower down. It’s a good technique if you want a wide, bushy plant instead of a tall one.
Patience is Key
Fiddle leaf figs are not fast growers. Once you’ve corrected the care routine, give your plant time to respond. It may take a few weeks to see a new bud forming at the top. The appearance of bottom leaves shows your plant has vitality. By providing excellent light, consistent care, and a little strategic pruning, you can guide that vitality to create the full, beautiful tree you envision. Remember, every plant is unique, so observe how yours responds and adjust your tactics as needed.