Why spend a minimum of $50 on a fake ficus tree when it’s so easy to grow a real one yourself? If you’re wondering how to propagate your own ficus plant, you’re in the right place.
There are many types of ficus trees to choose from. The traditional weeping fig is one of the most popular houseplants worldwide. Rubber plants, with their deep green leaves and striking red highlights, are also part of the ficus genus. Then there’s the ever-trendy fiddle leaf fig, known for its large, violin-shaped leaves, and the creeping ficus, which looks fantastic cascading from a hanging basket.
No matter the type, propagation through cuttings is the easiest and most reliable way to grow more ficus plants. If you’re thinking, “Okay, great—but how do you take a cutting?” we’ve got you covered. In the next section, we’ll outline the tools and steps you’ll need to successfully propagate your ficus by cutting.
Ficus plants are popular houseplants that come in a variety of forms like the rubber plant, weeping fig, and fiddle leaf fig. With their lush green leaves and easy care requirements, it’s no wonder ficus are a favorite houseplant for many plant parents. Propagating ficus allows you to easily multiply your plant collection without spending any money. This article will provide a complete guide on how to successfully propagate ficus plants using different techniques.
Why Propagate Ficus Plants?
There are several benefits to propagating your ficus
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Produces new plants for free – propagation allows you to increase your ficus collection without spending any money. Simply take cuttings or separate plantlets from a mature ficus plant and root them to make new plants.
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Share with friends – ficus plants make great gifts. Propagating your ficus lets you share new plants with family and friends.
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Replace old plants – Over time, ficus plants can become leggy and unattractive. Taking cuttings from a healthy plant allows you to replace old plants with new, revitalized ones.
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Unique varieties – Certain ficus varieties are hard to find or expensive to buy, Propagating rare varieties preserves special cultivars
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Foster an ongoing hobby – Propagating ficus and rooting the cuttings is an enjoyable, rewarding hobby for plant lovers.
How to Propagate Ficus
There are a few different techniques for propagating ficus plants:
Stem Cuttings
Taking stem cuttings is the most common ficus propagation method. Here’s how to do it:
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Using clean, sterilized pruning shears, cut a piece of stem about 3-6 inches long from the parent plant. Choose a stem that is healthy, with no flowers or fruit attached.
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Remove all but the top 2-3 leaves from the cutting. Keeping a few leaves allows the cutting to continue photosynthesis while new roots form.
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Dip the bottom 1-2 inches of the cutting in rooting hormone. Rooting hormone contains plant growth regulators that encourage root growth.
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Stick the cutting in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix. You can also use materials like perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir or sand.
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Keep the potting medium moist but not soggy. Enclose the pot in a plastic bag or place it in a humid area to prevent the cutting from drying out.
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New roots should emerge in 4-8 weeks. Gradually introduce the new plant to normal conditions over 2-4 weeks. Then repot in fresh potting mix.
Air Layering
Air layering allows you to propagate ficus without taking any cuttings. Here’s what to do:
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Select a healthy stem on the parent plant and remove all leaves and aerial roots within a 2-3 inch section.
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Wrap the bare stem section with a handful of damp sphagnum moss. Cover the moss with plastic wrap to retain moisture.
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After 1-2 months, roots should have formed in the moss. Cut the stem below the new roots.
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Plant the new rooted cutting in potting soil, water well and care for like a mature plant. The original plant will continue growing from above the air layer.
Plantlets
Some ficus plants naturally produce baby plantlets on their stems which can be used for propagation. To use plantlets:
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Identify healthy baby plants growing from the stems of a mature ficus. Gently remove them by cutting the connecting stem.
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Pot the baby plants in soil, water well and enclose in a plastic bag until established. Keep them out of direct sun at first.
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Slowly transition the plantlets to normal conditions over 2-4 weeks before removing the bag. Care for them as mature plants.
Root Division
Mature ficus plants that have become overgrown can be divided:
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Remove the plant from its pot and carefully separate the root ball into smaller sections using your hands or a knife. Ensure each division has plenty of healthy roots.
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Repot each root ball division in its own container using fresh potting mix. Water well.
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Grow on the divisions as individual plants. This method works well for quickly replacing old plants.
Tips for Successful Ficus Propagation
Follow these tips to ensure your ficus cuttings root quickly and grow into healthy new plants:
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Take cuttings in spring or summer when plants are actively growing. Avoid winter.
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Use a sharp, sterile knife or pruners to make clean cuts. Crushing stems prevents growth.
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Keep cuttings upright and don’t allow to wilt before rooting. Use a humid enclosure.
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Pot cuttings in a sterile, well-draining mix. Perlite or vermiculite mixed into soil improves drainage.
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Use rooting hormone to encourage faster root growth. Dip stem ends in powder or liquid formulations.
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Maintain warm temperatures of 65-75°F. Cooler conditions slow growth. Provide heat mats or grow lights if needed.
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Once rooted, acclimate new plants gradually before moving to normal conditions. Prevent transplant shock.
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Repot newly propagated plants in fresh potting mix to encourage establishment. Fertilize lightly.
Common Propagation Problems
Here are some common ficus propagation issues and how to fix them:
Cuttings wilting
- Increase humidity with a humid dome and mist leaves. Don’t let cuttings dry out.
No root growth
- Use rooting hormone, provide bottom heat of 70-75°F, and ensure potting mix stays moist.
Moldy cuttings
- Allow more air circulation and water less frequently. Mold thrives in stagnant moisture.
Weak, stunted growth
- Acclimate new plants gradually. Repot in fresh soil after rooting. Apply balanced fertilizer at half strength.
Leaves dropping
- Gradually transition propagated plants to normal conditions. Dropping leaves indicates shock.
Root rot
- Use a very well-draining potting mix amended with perlite or sand. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
Propagating ficus through stem cuttings, air layering, plantlets or division allows you to easily and affordably multiply your ficus plant collection. Follow the simple steps outlined and you’ll soon have success rooting ficus cuttings. Pay close attention to humidity, warmth and proper soil moisture to prevent issues. With the right care, your new baby ficus plants will quickly grow into beautiful, healthy specimens. Happy propagating!
Step 3: Taking Cuttings
Cuttings are the easiest way to propagate ficus trees. Now that your tools are clean and your workspace is prepped, it’s time to take your cuttings.
It’s always a good idea to take more than one. No matter how careful or experienced you are, not all cuttings will survive and grow into new plants. Something inevitably happens—you go away for the weekend and the cuttings dry out, your cat turns one into a toy, or it just wasn’t a viable piece to begin with.
Whatever the reason, take a few extras. If they all happen to root successfully? That’s a bonus, and you’ll have some to share with friends, family, or fellow plant lovers.
The best cuttings come from fresh, healthy growth. Look for young side shoots in areas of strong, active growth. Using your sanitized pruners, cut each shoot to about 4–5 inches long, making sure each cutting has at least two full sets of leaves. Discard any leftover plant material that isn’t suitable for propagation.
Step 1: Prep The Area
Ficus leaves and stems can be quite messy when cut or accidentally broken. Once the protective outer tissue is wounded, a white sap quickly begins to ooze from the cut. This sap is latex; very sticky and often difficult to remove from tools, fabric, and skin. The foremost piece of advice here is to wear gloves while you’re propagating.
To prevent a cleanup headache when you propagate ficus, it’s a good idea to protect the area around. Use a tarp, old sheet, or drop cloth to catch any drips. For smaller plants, you can place the ficus directly on the tarp. For larger specimens, drape the cloth around the base of the plant, extending it out to cover the area beneath the canopy. This way, any sap will fall onto the cloth instead of nearby furniture, flooring, or carpet.
Cleaning and sanitizing your tools is essential before you begin pruning. Dirty tools are a common way plant diseases spread between houseplants, and even a small lapse in hygiene can cause problems across your collection.
While some plant families are more susceptible to disease than others, all houseplants benefit from proper tool care. Practicing good cleaning habits helps ensure your plants stay healthy, especially when propagating or pruning.
Keep in mind that you can’t properly sanitize your pruners or tools without cleaning them first, especially if you plan to use chlorine bleach as your disinfectant. Dirt and residue can block the disinfectant from working effectively.
Start by removing any visible plant debris and soil with a stiff, dry brush. Then, wash your pruners in a solution of mild dish soap and warm water—just as you would when hand-washing dishes. Scrub the blade and strike plate carefully, rinse with clean water, and pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
You can sanitize your tools easily at home using common household products. The two most effective options are 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and chlorine bleach. Both are inexpensive, widely available, and effective against a broad range of plant pathogens.
To sanitize with rubbing alcohol: Pour 70% isopropyl alcohol onto a clean paper towel or cotton ball. Wipe down the blade and strike plate thoroughly so both surfaces are saturated. Allow the alcohol to evaporate completely before using your pruners.
To sanitize with chlorine bleach: In a glass or heavy-duty plastic container, mix 1 part chlorine bleach with 9 parts water. Gently submerge your pruners in the solution, taking care to avoid splashing. Let them soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the pruners thoroughly under clean, cool water.
If you’re working outdoors and pruning multiple plants, consider bringing your bleach solution and a container of clean water with you. Soak your tools in the bleach for five minutes between plants, then rinse in the clean water before continuing.
Always discard the bleach solution after use, as it becomes ineffective once contaminated with plant residue from your tools.
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FAQ
Can I propagate a ficus in water?
Propagating ficus in water is not only a rewarding experience but also an opportunity to expand your plant collection with little effort.Jan 22, 2024
Can you propagate ficus from a leaf?
ficus elastica doesn’t propagate completely with ust a leaf. You need a knot on a stem.
How do you propagate a ficus rubber plant?
- Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with potting soil.
- Trim a 2- to 4-inch section off the top of a healthy stem.
- Remove all the leaves from the shoot except at the very top.
- Plant the cutting in your prepared container and mist with a spray bottle.