From a botanical perspective, the primary difference between a fiddle leaf fig bush and a tree form lies in its growth habit, which is the plant's characteristic mode of growth and shape. A fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is inherently a tree in its natural habitat, capable of reaching heights over 40 feet. The "bush" and "tree" forms are horticultural manipulations of this single species, not different cultivars. The bush form is achieved by encouraging a multi-stemmed, branching growth pattern from the base, resulting in a denser, shrub-like appearance. In contrast, the tree form is cultivated to emulate a standard tree structure, with a single, dominant central trunk that is clear of branches for a certain height (creating a "canopy" on top). This manipulation is accomplished through specific pruning techniques applied during the plant's juvenile stage.
The key to creating either form is the management of apical dominance. This is a plant hormone-driven phenomenon where the central, uppermost bud (the apical bud) produces auxins that suppress the growth of lateral buds further down the stem. This encourages the plant to grow tall rather than wide. To create a bush form, the apical bud is regularly pinched or cut off (a practice known as topping). This removal of the primary source of auxin signals the plant to break dormancy in the lateral buds lower on the stem, promoting the growth of multiple branches from the base and creating a fuller, bushier plant. To develop a tree form, apical dominance is maintained. The central trunk is allowed to grow unimpeded, and any lateral branches that emerge low on the trunk are pruned away. This directs all the plant's energy into vertical growth and developing a clear trunk, with branching encouraged only at the desired height for the canopy.
The chosen form has direct physiological consequences for the plant. A bush-form fiddle leaf fig, with its multiple stems and leaves closer to the soil, may have a slightly different transpiration rate and light interception pattern compared to a tree form. Its dense foliage can create a self-shading effect, which might influence the photosynthetic efficiency of lower leaves. The tree form, with its elevated canopy, is structured to maximize light capture by positioning its primary leaves above potential competitors, a strategy directly borrowed from its natural growth in forests. Morphologically, the leaves themselves are the same species, but their presentation differs. On a bush, the iconic large, violin-shaped leaves are displayed at various levels, creating a textured look. On a tree form, the leaves are concentrated in a more uniform, overhead canopy, which can make their size and shape more dramatically visible.
The growth form also influences the root-to-shoot ratio, a critical balance between the mass of the root system and the mass of the above-ground growth (shoots). A bush form, with its greater number of stems and leaves, has a larger "shoot" mass relative to its root system compared to a young tree form of the same overall size. This can sometimes make the bush form slightly more demanding in terms of water and nutrient uptake to support its dense foliage. Both forms require a well-draining soil mix and careful watering to prevent root rot, but the bush's structure may dry out a little differently than the single-trunk tree form. Ultimately, when provided with appropriate light, water, and nutrients, both forms are equally viable and healthy manifestations of Ficus lyrata; the difference is purely one of aesthetic structure guided by human intervention.
