Figs are a delicious treat that thrive in warm climates but can also be grown in more temperate regions with a bit of extra care. Here’s how to grow a fig tree in your garden!
About Figs
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 species of fig 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). Other species of figs either do not produce edible fruit or have very specific pollination requirements (such as needing to be pollinated by a certain type of wasp), making them too much trouble for home gardeners to grow.
Figs can be eaten fresh from the tree, preserved, or used in cooking. Note that figs do not continue ripening after they are picked, so be sure to harvest at the right time!
Reader Comments
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Fig Stuff
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!
fig cutting
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
Fruit trees?
I happen to stumble into your site. I love fruit trees, peaches, apples, plums, pears, cherries, but have not have much luck, but don't intend to give up either
Go for it!
That’s the spirit, Robert!
fig seeds
I was wondering how long can i store fig seeds before planting them
planting fig seeds
If you are worried about your fig seeds being viable, that answer to your question will become evident before you plant. You’ll want to soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 to 48 hours before planting. In doing so, the viable seeds will drop to the bottom of the water and the seeds that aren’t any good will float.
I just moved into a house in
I just moved into a house in AZ that has a fig tree that was cut down but there is a lot of new growth coming from the stump. Will it take as long as a new fig tree to bear fruit again?
Go Fig-ure
Hi, Amy: Great question! Figs are notorious and prodigious producers of new “starts.” The thing to do is to keep pruning back all of the new growth except for the strongest central one (or just pick one, if none is apparent), so that the roots’ energy can be focused into growing a tree with a main stem, not a bush. Once this has been established, it will take at least 2 to 4 years for the new tree to set figs. Thanks for asking!
Figs Planting
I'm staying in tropical climate in Malaysia. Normally how long will it take for the plant to bear fruits? And how long before it will bear fruits again? And normally one plant can bear how much fruits? Thanks
New fig plants
Have recently bought new Brown Turkey plants which have been sitting outside in the box they came in (Nth London, UK) & wondering for it'so too early to plant yet?
Was planning on digging trench & lining it with membrane & leaving plants in containers - is this right? Many thanks
figtree problems?
Dear Sirs: I have 2 big black fig trees and would like some information on how to prepare them for the spring season.
They yield plenty of fruit and the large one I think, has some kind of pest or disease because the outside seems harder and some it has stain. A few years ago we had a very cold winter and the trunk on both tyrees dried up but then limbs began to grow. Another thing is that this past summer it seemed to be infested with worms and a greenish
like beetle. Still, they yield plenty of fruit. Can you suggest any remedies or ideas?
During the dormant season, be
During the dormant season, be sure to remove all dead, diseased, or weak branches on your trees to encourage new growth. Here’s a link to a fig disease page.
http://plantdiseasehandbook.tamu.edu/food-crops/fruit-crops/fig/
fig tree leaves
Do you know where can I get fig tree leaves?
fig tree leaves
I forgot to say that I live in Miami
i could send you all the figs
i could send you all the figs leaves you would like
bitter fruit
I have a fig tree not sure what kind kind. Has fruit in spring sweet and juicy. Another crop in winter very bitter. Don't understand why winter fruit is not edible.
The fall/winter figs may
The fall/winter figs may change in taste due to colder temps. and may also not be fully ripe when you pick them. There is also a pest that can cause the figs to taste bitter. You can boil bitter figs in water to make them taste sweeter. Bitter figs are perfect for canning in a sweet syrup.
We have a blk mission fig
We have a blk mission fig tree 3 years old in ground in Sacramento Ca, full sun, giving great fruit. In reading your article and comments, I am confused about pruning. We have pruned it back each year based on a friends recomendation along with numerous web articles. The tree grows vigorously each year, but we feel we are getting less fruit than the year before, and there are constant comments as to where the figs actuallt grow.....old wood, new wood....we are confused, as when we prune, it is always old wood we get rid of, and new wood that grows back....
we also, will need/want to prune it back, as this was new construction landscape, and we did not realize the growth pattern, (huge) of fig trees...we can only let it get so big, or it will be out of control....any info on pruning, size etc would be appreciated....thank you
It is best to prune
To have good harvest of figs it is best to prune immediately after the main crop of figs is harvested in early fall. To shape the tree and keep it managable prune when the tree is dormant.
Dear sir, I have planted
Dear sir, I have planted almost 5000 figs plants, in a warm climate (Distt,Muzaffar Garh), doing well, soil is sandy, near bank of river Channab, can I get few tips regarding agronomy , harvesting and how to dried if could not be marketing?
I have 4 figs that are
I have 4 figs that are sprouting. Sprouts are about 1/4" long. How can/should
I plant these? I live in central Georgia. Thanks for ay help.
Fig trees are usually grown
Fig trees are usually grown from cuttings taken from small branches. You can also grow fig trees from seed.
I have a magnolia fig, given
I have a magnolia fig, given to me as a sapling two years ago . I have already transplanted it once and in the new spot my backyard has flooded twice this summer. I live in NE Florida. The baby fig is sitting in water for a couple of days. Should I transplant it again to higher ground?
Fig trees need full sun and
Fig trees need full sun and well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter to grow well. We suggest that you move your tree to a spot that doesn't flood and gets plenty of sun.
Hello, I have a mission fig
Hello, I have a mission fig tree that this is its second season, it is planted in full sun and has tripled in size since planting. It is over 6' tall and very healthy it is producing very little fruit this year or last what can I do to propel it to strong growth next season. Also we have some cold days in the Atlanta area any suggestions for preparing for winter. It suffered the first winter and thought it died but I came roaring back. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
I have Turkish brown figs
I have Turkish brown figs growing outside in containers, fairly large planters. They have not done well the last 2 seasons. They are in sun, watered, but the leaves are curling under. I do not see any pests. The fruit is starting to ripen, but are small in size, compared to what was produced 4 years ago. I live in CT, zone 5b near the water. What is the problem?
Hi, Carole Ann: This can be
Hi, Carole Ann: This can be difficult to "fig"ure out (sorry), but if you are certain that there are no pests and the leaves have remained green and not turned brown, then that narrows it down a little. First, try an organic fungicide in case you have a disease. At the same time, try adding a little nitrogen to the soil. Also, although the case would seem to be otherwise, your figs could indeed have become rootbound somewhat. We suspect disease or soil quality. Good luck!
How are the fig trees
I'm thinking of growing figs, after several years of not re-asking a farmer friend for some cuttings. I'm in Central CT. Did you solve the problem, and get some better fruit this year?
I live in South Florida (zone
I live in South Florida (zone 9b / 10a), and I'm thinking of buying either a black mission or a brown turkey. I've heard that the black mission is more delicious. Of course how good the fruit tastes and how much the tree produces are important to me. But I also care about how the tree looks because I plan to plant it in the front yard. Do these two trees themselves look the same? They wouldn't lose their leaves down here, would they? (The temperature rarely gets below freezing where I am). Also, do they both respond to pruning the same? I plan to keep it at about 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Many folks enjoy the taste of
Many folks enjoy the taste of Black Mission. however we didn't think it was cold-hardy enough for your region. Also, it's a big tree that's 10 to 40 feet and you don't prune until the tree reaches maturity. The Brown Fig is a smaller tree that's closer to the size you're seeking and probably the most common variety in your region. Pruning isn't really a big factor.
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