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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

<span>Jill</span> Tue, 08/06/2019 - 09:21
I live in eastern NC and have always seen oyster shells placed around the base of fig trees. What is the purpose of this practice? - calcium enrichment?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 08/09/2019 - 09:37

Yes, you are correct. Oyster (or clam) shells are similar to eggshells they can provide an easy source of calcium to plants for normal cell processes, root growth, and fruiting.

We haven't used oysters but crushed eggshells are common. However, as a soil amendment (versus a slug deterrent), they really need to be ground very finely for plant uptake. If you mix them with a weak acid, such as vinegar (3% acetic acid), the chemical reaction converts the calcium into an available form. You can apply as foliar spray during the reproductive stage of a plant’s growth cycle when setting fruit and vegetables are most vulnerable to blossom-end rot.

 <span>Elizabeth Kremer</span> Tue, 07/23/2019 - 19:11
How tall can a fig tree grow in a year in texas heat?
<span>Brian Corbett</span> Tue, 07/16/2019 - 16:18
We have a 3 metre fig tree in full sun in south-west France. We are new to the area and hopefully will spend longer here as each year passes. The fig tree is mostly healthy and indeed has some fruit, but on one side there are some dead branches and others which appears to have few leaves on them. Some of the trunk has areas with little bark. All the advice tells you to remove dead and diseased wood in the dormant season, but we are not here at that time. Would it be reasonable to perform this action before we leave in early September? Is it advisable to paint the exposed wood after cutting? Thank you. Brian Corbett
<span>Cassie</span> Mon, 11/12/2018 - 08:22
My fig trees have grown way to tall and the fruit is all at the top. Would it be beneficial to cut halfway down this winter/ early spring.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/catherine-boeckmann">Catherine Boeckmann</a> Wed, 11/14/2018 - 10:28

The best time to prune your fig trees is definitely in the winter (dormant season). When you prune a fig tree, you can indeed trim away half the tree (once it's had its first winter outside). This allows the tree to focus on developing strong roots. After the second winter, cut everything except 5 or 6 strong new branches for the fruit to grow on. Removing any branches that are not growing out from your selected fruiting branches, as well as any dead or diseased wood. You find this video interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkN0fPx9Ens

 <span>Janine</span> Sun, 10/28/2018 - 04:59
Hello, I recently bought a home in Arizona that has a huge beautiful fig tree planted in the courtyard. There is gravel onto of the soil and pavers on one side. The tree fruits but they are all either green or dead looking brown hardened not good to taste. I love the tree and want to fix the problem. I notice when I water the tree it doesn’t seem to soak into the ground but rolls off and doesn’t water properly. Should I get rid of the gravel and plant grass? Remove the pavers? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance. Janine
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 11/02/2018 - 15:53

Your fig tree would likely benefit from the removal of the gravel and pavers, as it sounds like they're preventing the tree from getting an adequate amount of water. Replace them with a light-colored bark mulch, which will hold moisture in the soil for longer. 

 <span>Enrico Masasso</span> Tue, 10/23/2018 - 13:40
When is it the best time to take cuttings. what sort of medium is best to plant in. I use hormone dust. Any suggestion you make would be appreciated.... Thank you
<span>James R Roberts</span> Wed, 08/22/2018 - 09:10
I have these big green wind beetles, devouring my figs, help!