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How to Grow Figs: A Beginner’s Guide to Planting, Caring for, and Harvesting Fig Trees

fig fruit on a table, one cut open
Image Credit:
Katrin Shine
Botanical Name
Ficus carica
Grown as
Perennial
USDA Zones
8a
8b
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Toxicity
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
10–20 feet
Spread
10-20 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Alkaline
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Low Maintenance
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Songbirds
Resilience
Drought-Tolerant
Heat-Tolerant
Plant Type
Fruit
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Fig-get about fussy fruit trees—figs are surprisingly easy to grow! With their lush leaves and candy-sweet fruit, fig trees bring a taste of the tropics to your backyard, patio, or even sunny windowsill. 

Whether you’re in a warm zone or bracing for winter chills, we’ll show you how to grow this ancient superfruit right at home. Let’s get figgy with it!

Figs thrive in areas with long and hot summers (Zones 8 and warmer), though they can also be grown in colder zones if properly insulated from freezing temperatures or grown in containers and brought indoors.

The common fig tree (Ficus carica) is the most popular fig species for home gardeners because its flowers do not require pollination to yield figs. Many varieties of the common fig tree exist, including hardy cultivars that can be grown outdoors in slightly cooler climates (Zones 6 and 7).

Planting

Figs can be planted outdoors without much trouble in Zone 8 and warmer. In zones where winter temperatures get colder than 10°F (-12 °C) for periods of time, be sure to choose a hardy fig variety.

When to Plant Fig Trees

Plant fig trees outdoors in the early spring or late fall when they are dormant. Alternatively, figs can be grown in large containers and brought inside for the winter.

How to Plant Fig Trees

  • For container fig trees, grow them in a soil-based potting mix and add fine bark chips to improve drainage. Keep the tree in full sun in the summer. In the spring and summer, be sure to add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks and water the tree moderately. In the winter, move the tree indoors and keep the soil moist.
  • For outdoor fig trees, plant the tree in the spring or early fall in full sun. Fig trees can grow in most types of soil as long as the soil is well-draining and contains plenty of organic material. (Learn more about organic soil amendments.)
  • Space fig trees at least 20 feet away from buildings or other trees.
  • If given the chance, fig trees put down deep roots, so bear that in mind when choosing a planting spot.
  • To plant container-grown trees in the ground:
    1. Remove the plant from its pot and remove any circling roots by laying the root ball on its side and using shears to cut through the roots.
    2. Dig a hole that is a few inches deeper and wider than the spread of the roots. Set the tree on top of a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Be sure to spread the roots away from the trunk without excessively bending them.
    3. Plant the tree 2 to 4 inches deeper than it was originally in the pot (check the color of the trunk to see the original soil line).

Fig tree and fig fruit

Growing

Caring for Fig Trees

  • Water young fig trees regularly to help them become established. In areas with dry climates, water fig trees deeply at least once a week.
  • Unless grown in containers, most fig trees do not require regular fertilization. However, if your fig tree is not growing much (less than 12 inches in one growing season), you can add 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen supplement. Divide up the nitrogen into 3 to 4 feedings. Start applying the nitrogen in late winter and end in midsummer.
  • You can also apply a layer of mulch around the tree to help prevent weeds and keep moisture in the roots.
  • Fig trees require little pruning. During the dormant season, be sure to remove all dead, diseased, or weak branches to encourage growth.
  • If you have an abundant growth of figs, you can thin the fruit to encourage larger figs.
  • In colder regions, bring container-grown fig trees indoors for the winter. Keep the soil moist.
  • If your area experiences a particularly cold winter, fig trees planted outdoors may die back to the ground. If the tree is of a hardy variety, its belowground areas will likely be unaffected. Remove all dead wood while the tree is still dormant, and watch for new growth in the spring. 

Harvesting

Harvesting Figs

  • You should harvest figs only when they are fully ripe, as they will not continue to ripen off the tree. The figs should be fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
  • You may need to invest in netting to protect your crop; figs are a favorite of birds and squirrels.
  • When picking figs, wear gloves or long sleeves because the sap from the fig tree can irritate your skin.
  • Figs are very perishable. Store figs in the refrigerator; they will keep for 2 to 3 days.
  • For long-term storage, you can freeze figs whole for later use. Another storage method is to dry the figs. You can also can your own figs.
how to harvest figs

Pests and Problems

  • Root-knot nematodes
  • Leaf spots
  • Rust
  • Thrips
  • Twig dieback

Types

  • ‘Brown Turkey’ produces abundant medium to large figs. This type works best in warm climates but is fairly tolerant of cooler temperatures, too.
  • ‘Celeste’ produces small, sweet, purplish figs. It is one of the more winter-hardy varieties.
  • ‘Hardy Chicago’ is a winter-hardy variety that produces purple, medium-size figs.
  • ‘King’ is well adapted for the cooler conditions found in the Northwest. It produces medium figs that are sweet and rich in flavor.
  • ‘Kadota’ vigorously produces small to medium fruit. Its figs are rich and sweet, and it is the most commonly canned fig.

Wit and Wisdom

  • A fig can be eaten fresh from the tree, dried, or used in cooking. A single fig is only 50 calories and provides higher mineral and fiber content than most fruits, nuts, or vegetables. 
  • Figs soak up cholesterol, promote healthy bowel movements, reduce heart disease, regulate kidney and liver functions, lower blood pressure, and even inhibit some cancers. Plus, figs are packed with calcium, which reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. They also contain phosphorus, which helps bones regrow.
  • “You can’t grow figs from thistles.”

Fruit

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/25/2016 - 15:38

Try the "Practical Orchard Fruit Picker." People rave about it!

 <span>Holly</span> Wed, 07/20/2016 - 11:00
My fig tree leaves are spotted with a light green circles on them. Can you tell me what to do for that, I also found aphids on them this morning. thank you Holly
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 07/20/2016 - 16:01

Hi Holly,

You could be looking at a symptom of Fig Mosaic Virus, which is transmitted by mites. Various horticultural oils like crop oil and citrus spray are recommended to control the mites. There are no effective controls for the virus itself.

 <span>Michael Barnidge</span> Tue, 07/05/2016 - 00:47
I planted a fig tree this spring it's been in the ground for around 2 1/2 months, it seems to be growing normal, but its already bearing figs, I use organic fertilizer every 14 days and started it in the ground with root stimulator. Someone told me to remove the figs to increase plant growth because the nutrients the plant needs are going to the fruit. It's about 28" tall with 2 branches growing from the main trunk there's about 20 or so figs on it that are 1/2 the size of a full grown fig any idea on what I need to do, pull the figs or let it stay like it is. After reading some information in the web site and talking to other people my tree shouldn't be producing figs yet. I figured I was just having good luck with all my plants, they all seem to produce early and quit abundantly.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/05/2016 - 10:18

Hi Micheal,

One explanation for why your tree is so prolific so early is that it might be a cultivar that has been bred for those characteristics. You can do a bit of "editing"--removing some of the fruit, as it will allow the plant to put more energy into developing its root system and top growth (think of it like deadheading). Additionally, you will be creating improved air circulation and room for the remaining fruit to grow larger.

 

 <span>H0Lly</span> Sun, 07/03/2016 - 08:55
When is a good time to start fig cutting? My others fig cutting are not doing well. Thank you Holly
<span>Lyn</span> Sat, 07/02/2016 - 11:31
I have a fig tree that's been growing in Ct. for many years. I cut it back and wrap it in the winter. I've been away for 3 weeks and just noticed that there are long new branches shooting out from the bottom of the main trunk...a new thing. Should I cut them off/back so that the main tree will grow better and produce more fruit? The figs are amazing but because of the bad winter it wasn't "unwrapped" til later than usual so it's a little behind. Thanks for your help.
<span>Holly</span> Wed, 06/29/2016 - 12:21
I have fig tree cuttings that I have been growing in plastic tub for humidity, and they produced small leaves so I took them out, put them on south window, and they started wilting and the cutting seems to be shriveled.Can I save these cutting, this is my first time trying to grow a fig tree with cuttings
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 06/30/2016 - 09:45

Hi, Holly: Congratulations on trying figs, and thanks for this great question. Figs are a very interesting plant: hard and durable on the "outside," soft and tender on the "inside" (remind you of anyone you know?)--they need exacting care, but at the same time they can stand to be mistreated to some extent. In this case, you may have transplanted too soon. Figs can have leaves, but at the same time not have root systems that are developed enough for transplanting. For this reason, people often start figs in the cutoff bottoms of clear 2L soda bottles, so that they can see when a good little root system is developed. More to the point, though, it sounds as though you baked your cuttings by putting them in the south window. Can you save them? Might as well try. Carefully replant them in some potting soil and put them back in the location where they started. Water well and see if they recover. They might surprise you!

 <span>Holly</span> Thu, 06/30/2016 - 12:20
Thank you for your reply, I will put them back in the peat moss and see what happens. One more question, If I got more cutting now, is it to late to start another batch, or wait until the fall? Thank you again