Fig trees remain a favorite addition to home gardens because they thrive in different climates and reward with tasty fruit. To keep them strong and ensure a generous harvest, they need consistent and proper care.
Fig trees are native to Syria and Persia. They can flourish when planted in a sunny, sheltered location, such as beside a wall. Gardeners often restrict their roots to mimic the conditions of a rocky hillside in the eastern Mediterranean, encouraging the tree to grow and fruit successfully.
How to Plant Fig Trees
Figs are usually available as bare-root trees or container-grown plants, and both can be planted using nearly the same method. If you’re moving a potted fig into the ground, you may need to gently loosen or cut through circling roots so the tree can establish itself more easily.
When to Plant
Indoor figs in containers can be set up at any time of the year. For outdoor planting, it’s best to place them in the ground during early spring or late autumn, when the tree is dormant and the soil is workable.
Selecting a Planting Site
Although fig trees can handle partial shade, they perform best in full sunlight. Pick an area that gets at least six hours of direct light daily, with fertile, well-draining soil and enough room for the tree to spread. In cooler regions, a south-facing site often provides extra warmth and protection.
For container gardening, keep your figs on a sunny porch or patio during the summer, then move them indoors or into a greenhouse as winter approaches.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
When planting outdoors, dig a hole a little bigger than the root ball and mix in compost for extra nutrients. Slide potted figs carefully from their containers without harming the roots. Bare-root figs usually need a few hours of soaking in water before you plant them.
Place the tree in the middle of the hole. For bare-root varieties, make a small mound of soil at the base and spread the roots evenly around it. Refill the hole with soil, firm it in gently, and water deeply to help everything settle.
If you’re planting more than one fig tree, allow about 20 feet of space between standard-sized trees and any nearby structures. Dwarf figs can be set a little closer.
Fig Tree Care
Most fig trees begin producing fruit in about three to five years, though container-grown figs may bear sooner. During this time, proper fig tree care with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients is essential to keep them healthy and prepare them for abundant harvests in the future.
Light
Outdoor fig trees need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Indoor figs thrive in bright, south-facing windows. If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, supplement with a grow light for 8 to 12 hours daily.
Soil
Figs adapt to different soil types, but they flourish in slightly acidic, loamy, and well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Standard potting soil works well for container figs, while mixing compost into the planting hole helps outdoor trees establish more quickly.
Water
Young and container-grown figs need consistent watering—around 1 inch of water per week. Once established, outdoor trees usually get enough moisture from rainfall and need little extra care.
Temperature and Humidity
Figs grow best in warm regions with mild winters, though cold-tolerant varieties can also be grown in cooler areas if given proper winter protection. In colder regions, it’s better to grow figs in pots so they can be moved indoors or into a greenhouse when temperatures drop.
Humidity usually doesn’t pose a problem for figs, but if indoor air is too dry, a humidifier can make conditions more comfortable for the plant.
Fertilizer
These trees aren’t heavy feeders. Garden-grown figs typically do well with a single application of compost or balanced fertilizer each spring. If you added compost when planting, you can usually wait until the next spring before feeding again.
Potted figs, however, need more frequent feeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month while it’s actively growing in spring and summer.
Pollination
Some fig varieties depend on insects for pollination, but common figs are self-fertile and self-pollinating. That means they don’t need another fig tree or pollinators to produce fruit.
Harvesting Figs
Figs are usually ready to harvest from late summer to early autumn, once the fruit has deepened in color and softened. A clear sign of ripeness is when the figs begin to droop slightly on the branches.
To pick them, hold the fruit in one hand and support the branch with the other, then gently twist or lift the fig away. If it’s ripe, it should come off with little effort.
Fresh figs don’t keep for long. Even when refrigerated, they last only two to three days. For extended storage, consider drying, freezing, or preserving them by canning.
Common Fig Problems and Solutions
Like many fruit trees, figs attract wildlife. Birds and squirrels can wipe out an entire crop if left unchecked, so protect your trees with netting, fleece, or other deterrents.
Wasps are often drawn to damaged or overripe fruit. Harvest figs promptly as they ripen and remove any fallen fruit from the ground to avoid infestations.
If your tree sheds fruit before it ripens, that usually signals a lack of water. Regular watering during dry spells can help prevent premature fruit drop.
