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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> Fri, 05/08/2015 - 11:07

A common fig tree can grow 10 to 30 feet tall. You can prune the tops of the branches when the tree is dormant to keep it shorter and bushier.

 <span>Pamela Osburn</span> Wed, 04/15/2015 - 14:47
I just planted a brown turkey fig. It has a lot of leaves and is about 1 ft. I live in North Alabama and I'd like to know when this tree will produce figs.
<span>Gocat</span> Thu, 04/16/2015 - 15:26
A fig tree take a while to start bearing fruit--at least 4 or 5 years. A Brown Turkey Fig is a great variety.
<span>Christopher Ptatt</span> Thu, 04/09/2015 - 13:58
When should we expect our four foot tall one year old fig tree to start showing green buds and leaves here in Asheville, NC? Everything else in the yard is greening up, but no signs yet on the fig tree at all. Thanks very much, Chris
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 04/15/2015 - 10:04

You're right. The fig trees often leaf out by April. Normally, fig trees should leaf out when your deciduous trees do the same. This assumes your fig tree has proper siting--in a very sunny location which receives 8 hours of sun a day. South-facing is preferable. Otherwise, it will leaf out later than everything else. If there was any leaf damage by frost, it may leaf out much later.

 <span>Kathy Rosinski</span> Wed, 04/08/2015 - 23:21
Kadota Fig leaves with large dried up brown spots curling and falling off. I just planted the tree about a six weeks ago (I'm in San Jose Ca, Zone 9). Initially leaves and even one fruit grew and the plant seemed to flourish. For about two weeks now I noticed dry brown spots on a few leaves, causing leaves curl up and eventually fall off. Lost about half a dozen. Any suggestions what could be causing this? I'm watering weekly, and the tree does not seem to be overwatered. The exposure is to the west, and in April, the sun is not a likely culrprit of "overheating". I have not noticed any insects. What could it be? Help!
<span>Karin Grecu</span> Mon, 04/06/2015 - 23:06
I've had a Brown Turkey fig for about 5 years in a half whiskey barrel container in zone 9, California. 2 years ago I had a crop of 40 figs, almost none last year and this year's spring crop just all dropped off (maybe I didn't water enough when it got warm). It also has never put on more than an inch or two of new growth per year. Would it do better in the ground? Do I need to prune it more? The branches all looked good, so I didn't feel the need to prune much this year. Fertilize more? I expected that in year 5 I'd have a much bigger tree and much more fruit.
<span>J Klee</span> Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:44
Hi Karin, I'm not an authority on fig growing as I had the same problem a few years ago. Initially I read that you don't need to do much for potted fig trees. So I never fertilized. But then read if you don't have at least 12 inches of growth each season you should fertilize. The past 2 years I have been using a 5/10/5 fertilizer and growth has improved however not enough. I purchased "Growing Fruit" by Alan Buckingham a few months ago and plan to try his suggestion "Keep them well-watered during the spring and summer, and feed with high-potash tomato fertilizer when the fruits are ripening." I live in NY and plan to give this a try this growing season. Good luck with your fig tree.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:12

Hi Karen,

For container grown figs we recommend to add nitrogen rich fertilizer in 3 to 4 feedings per year. First application should be in late winter and end with the 4th application in midsummer.

See our planting/care advice above for watering and other growing tips.

 <span>Botany Bill</span> Tue, 11/24/2015 - 07:38
For fertilizing, use commercial organic fertilizers or your own (or commercial) compost, especially if you're growing in pots. "Regular" fertilizers are chemical salts that build up in the soil (water evaporates and leaves behind the solutes) and that's no good for the soil and, therefore, your fig (or any other plant).