I used to look at my fiddle leaf fig and wonder why it hit a standstill while others seemed to shoot upward. After trying advice that ran the gamut from helpful to downright confusing, I finally found a handful of simple steps that made all the difference.
Light, airflow, pruning, and a smarter watering routine turned a stubborn plant into one that actually gained height. If you want straightforward, practical ways to help your fiddle leaf fig stand tall, the methods that worked for me can point you in the right direction.
1. Give It Bright, Indirect Light
Light is basically plant food, and your fiddle leaf is hungry for it. Without enough brightness, your plant will sit there looking sad instead of shooting upward. Place it near a window where sunlight filters through nicely but doesn’t scorch the leaves.
Think of it like finding the perfect spot on the couch where the sun feels warm but not too hot. East or west-facing windows work beautifully. Rotate your plant every few weeks so all sides get their fair share of light, encouraging even, balanced growth that reaches toward the sky.
2. Water Consistently But Don’t Overdo It
Watering can feel like a guessing game, right? Too much and you risk root rot, too little and your plant sulks. The trick is finding that sweet spot where the soil stays slightly moist but never soggy.
Stick your finger about two inches into the soil before watering. If it feels dry, go ahead and give it a good drink. If it’s still damp, wait a bit longer. Consistent watering helps your fiddle leaf establish strong roots, which are the foundation for tall, healthy growth above the soil line.
3. Feed It With Quality Fertilizer
Your plant needs nutrients just like you need a good meal to grow strong. During the growing season, which is typically spring and summer, feed your fiddle leaf with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month.
Think of fertilizer as vitamins for your plant. It provides the essential nutrients that might be missing from regular watering. Dilute it to half strength to avoid burning the roots, and watch how your plant responds with fresh new leaves and increased height over time. Skip feeding in winter when growth naturally slows down.
4. Choose The Right Pot Size
Ever notice how cramped spaces make you feel stuck? Your plant feels the same way when its roots run out of room. When roots get too crowded, upward growth stops because the plant focuses on survival instead.
Check if roots are poking out of drainage holes or circling the pot’s bottom. If so, it’s time to move up one pot size, maybe two inches larger in diameter. Use a pot with good drainage holes and fresh, well-draining soil. This gives roots space to spread and support taller growth above.
5. Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
Fiddle leaf figs originally come from tropical rainforests, so they appreciate a bit of moisture in the air. Dry indoor air, especially during winter, can slow down growth and cause brown leaf edges.
You don’t need to turn your home into a jungle, but a little extra humidity helps. Try misting your plant a couple times a week, grouping it with other plants, or placing a humidifier nearby. Even setting the pot on a tray of pebbles with water works wonders for creating that humid environment your fiddle leaf craves.
6. Prune Strategically For Vertical Growth
Pruning might sound scary, but it’s actually one of the best ways to encourage your plant to grow taller rather than bushier. When you trim lower or side branches, the plant redirects its energy upward to the main stem.
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make cuts just above a node. Focus on removing branches that grow outward instead of up. This tells your fiddle leaf to put all its effort into vertical growth. Just don’t go overboard—remove only what’s necessary to maintain that tall, tree-like shape you’re after.
7. Keep The Temperature Stable
Temperature swings stress plants out just like they stress us out. Fiddle leaf figs prefer consistent warmth, ideally between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures fluctuate wildly, growth slows or stops altogether.
Keep your plant away from drafty windows, heating vents, and air conditioning units that blast hot or cold air directly. Find a cozy spot in your home where the temperature stays relatively steady throughout the day and night. Happy, comfortable plants grow faster and taller because they’re not wasting energy adjusting to constant changes.
8. Clean The Leaves Regularly
Dusty leaves might not seem like a big deal, but they actually block light from reaching the plant’s cells where photosynthesis happens. Less photosynthesis means slower growth and a shorter plant overall.
Every couple of weeks, gently wipe down each leaf with a soft, damp cloth. It’s kind of therapeutic, honestly, and your plant will thank you with brighter, healthier foliage. Clean leaves absorb more light, which translates directly into more energy for growing taller. Plus, it helps you spot any pest problems early before they become serious issues.
9. Use A Support Stake If Needed
Sometimes your fiddle leaf wants to grow tall but the stem isn’t quite strong enough yet to support all that height. That’s where a support stake comes in handy to keep everything upright and growing in the right direction.
Gently insert a bamboo stake or moss pole into the soil near the main stem. Use soft plant ties or twine to loosely attach the stem to the stake at several points. This provides stability while the trunk thickens and strengthens naturally over time, allowing your plant to focus energy on growing taller rather than staying balanced.
10. Be Patient And Consistent
Here’s the truth that nobody wants to hear but everyone needs to: plants grow on their own schedule, not ours. Your fiddle leaf won’t shoot up overnight no matter how perfectly you care for it.
Growth happens slowly but surely when you stay consistent with all the basics—light, water, food, and care. Some plants add just a few inches per year, and that’s completely normal. Keep showing up for your plant, maintain those good habits, and before you know it, you’ll look up and realize your fiddle leaf has reached impressive new heights.