As of: February 22, 2024, 8:00 a.m
By: Ines Alms
Comments
Press
Split
Whether it's a birch fig or a rubber tree - spring is the best time to cut back the ficus.
But pruning doesn't make sense for every specimen.
Actually, birch figs, rubber trees and fiddlehead figs do not need any pruning.
But sometimes the plants age, they no longer grow well or they become too large.
Then a rejuvenation cut makes sense.
In principle, the Ficus species can be cut back all year round because they are very tolerant of pruning.
But in early spring after the hibernation period, the new growth is stronger as the light increases.
Ficus pruning rules
Ficus species such as the birch fig (Ficus benjamina) are very tolerant of pruning.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Is your Ficus benjamina losing too many leaves?
Then no pruning is appropriate because the plant has a defect or is in the wrong location and cutting it would weaken it even further.
However, if the rubber trees are healthy, you can boldly use scissors.
The Ficus elastica often grows upwards quite purposefully; if desired, a cut promotes the branches and, as with other types of Ficus, leads to a bushier growth.
In contrast to indoor palms such as the Kentia palm and subshrubs such as lavender, the Ficus species also sprout well if you cut into the old wood.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in our free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.
Ficus pruning rules
You should consider the following points when pruning:
When injured, Ficus species secrete a colouring, poisonous milky sap, so you should wear gloves to protect yourself and line the floor with newspaper.
Small paper towels on the cut surfaces help prevent dripping.
Dead branches are cut directly at the base or back into the healthy wood.
The plants tolerate a strong all-round pruning of up to two thirds.
With the Ficus elastica or the violin fig, dominant shoots and side shoots can be reduced by around a third, down to one leaf.
also read
For more flowers, cut buddleia in early spring
Orange oil helps orchids against lice and other stubborn pests
The more you cut back the ficus, the more the plant will sprout again.
This happens within a few weeks.
As with any pruning, you should use clean, sharp scissors.
The cut branches can be easily used as cuttings to propagate the plant.