---
title: "My Ficus was growing too tall with few leaves so I cut the top off to…"
description: "My Ficus was growing too tall with few leaves so I cut the top off to propagate (died). The original plant has sprouted several new leaves. The original leaf…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/Bz0wCjKV0QCEGFn58Lq9s7"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Linda"
published: "2025-02-28T07:26:14.065263Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DPi15nsLA66T74vwjtqV4lVLT4YnIia3HHIFxxZPOQc/-Z-w8YsxRhOb24K_BNhcPw.webp?size=large"
---

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# My Ficus was growing too tall with few leaves so I cut the top off to…

_Posted by Linda on 2025-02-28_

My Ficus was growing too tall with few leaves so I cut the top off to propagate (died). The original plant has sprouted several new leaves. The original leaf is still looking healthy. Should I cut it off or leave it. If it is cut how do I stop the plant from leaking the white sap?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DPi15nsLA66T74vwjtqV4lVLT4YnIia3HHIFxxZPOQc/-Z-w8YsxRhOb24K_BNhcPw.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Trespence commented on 2025-02-28

It’s gonna leak that sap until it self heals. Just use a clean cloth to wipe it and keep it from getting everywhere. It’s a rubber tree and that is its “product”

I am so tempted to chop mine!!

### Linda commented on 2025-02-28

Thanks for replying. Be kind to your plant while chopping away. Ha Ha!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DPi15nsLA66T74vwjtqV4lVLT4YnIia3HHIFxxZPOQc/yH-oSLdyROubeWeyZ2gsIg.webp?size=large)

### KJM commented on 2025-02-28

You should leave the original leaf until the others are more developed because it provides energy for the plant to grow more. Once the others are larger and more fully formed you can cut it off if you think it's disproportionate. Sometimes if you spray a little water on the cut it will slow down or eliminate the"bleeding". It's hard to tell from the picture but considering the thickness of the main stem this spring might be a good time to tip it out of the pot and see if it needs to be bumped up a size. I have a variegated rubber plant that I have cut back I'll try to show you a picture of how it turned out.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ZnK-DEQES8ehqUKLJetaIR6rKdy5ZmUgQub0mb3GhWc/Th8YJtNzTomXymVwH4D87w.webp?size=large)

#### Linda replied on 2025-02-28

Thanks for the info. Your plant looks nice and full.

#### Linda replied on 2025-03-28

I decided to leave the leaf on the plant it is going crazy with lots of new leafs. And the plant is growing taller.

#### KJM replied on 2025-03-29

I'm glad your plant is doing well. And thank you for the comment on my rubber plant. I started it quite small I think in a 6-in pot so I'm quite happy that it is so large and vigorous. My problem now is I don't really want to put it in a bigger pot and it probably needs a bigger pot so I will probably propagate it and lose the parent plant. It's too bad I don't live where the weather is suitable all year long then I wouldn't have to haul my plants in and out every spring and fall..

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