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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>James R Roberts</span> Wed, 08/22/2018 - 09:11
Big green winged beetles
<span>Fred</span> Thu, 08/09/2018 - 19:33
We recently moved to a new (different) house that has what we and everyone else who’s seen it has presumed to be a fig tree in the back. The fruit started to grow and they’re just starting to get ripe. They look and smell just like figs. I know this comes off as paranoid, but is there any other type of tree and fruit that is close to a fig that would be dangerous to eat? Another words, how can I be sure they’re figs and are ok to eat not having planted the tree myself?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 08/10/2018 - 10:36

Figs are fairly unique trees, so they should be easy to identify if you know what to look for! First look at the leaf: it should be quite large and have three to five lobes. Then look at the fruit: the color of the ripe fruit depends on the variety, but they may range from lime green to brown to purple. The stems of the fig fruit are fairly thick (not thin, like an apple or pear's stem). Search in Google for images of fig leaves and see how yours compare. Finally, if you want to be absolutely sure, contact your local state Cooperative Extension Service, which should be able to ID the tree with a photo.

 <span>Heather</span> Fri, 08/03/2018 - 09:22
I live in D/FW area and have a brown turkey fig tree. Ants invade the fruit at the blossom end. Lately it has stopped, but I think that's because of a little lizard/gecko type thing. If the ants return, any suggestions on how to remedy the situation?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 08/08/2018 - 08:45

Hi Heather,

If the ants return, try sprinkling diatomaceous earth or broken eggshells around the base of the tree. It's a simple solution and should cut up the ants as they pass through to climb the tree. We hope this helps! 

 <span>Michael</span> Mon, 06/25/2018 - 16:52
Hello! Thanks for the great site and article. My family brought a fig tree over from Italy back in the 1920s. That tree has been moved from house to house until ending up at my mother's house in NJ. She sold her house about a year and a half ago, and we were unable to take the tree with us unfortunately. However, I tried to propagate the tree with multiple fig cuttings. Most failed, but one has survived and is still going. However, the main trunk/stem of the cutting seems to have died a while ago and is not really growing. The surviving part of the main stem comes out about two inches from the dirt and is healthy, and there is one branch growing off that section. This sole branch is growing well, and is probably about two and a half feet long, currently sprouting new growth. It is in a 12 inch diameter pot. My question - is there hope for this tree to grow more than just this one branch? Also, should I do anything with it (bigger pot, plant outside, etc.) I'm afraid to move it outside permanently in case it doesn't work. Thanks in advance!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 06/27/2018 - 16:47

We can always have hope, Michael, but sometimes a backup plan is needed, too. It's impossible to know if the tree will grow another branch or if this branch will survive...but it does not sound promising—and I share that from experience. You might consider purchasing a new plant, one of some size, and continue the family legacy that way, nearly a century later.

 <span>Dan & Jen</span> Sat, 06/23/2018 - 12:53
We’ve had a fig tree for three years. Iit’s doing fine except the leaves are yellowish. How do we remedy this?
<span>Kathryn</span> Wed, 08/07/2019 - 10:11
I was just wondering if you could graft a branch onto a different rootstock and maybe save it that way?
<span>Just Loo</span> Mon, 06/17/2019 - 16:17
Hi, don't give up on your fig twig just yet. I live in the Canary Islands and had the same problem.. just a single twig that would not seem to grow at all. Then, one day, I bumped into an old lady who had lived on the islands all her life and has the most beautiful garden filled with big healthy trees. She told me that it took 7 years for an old stem to settle ... she actually said ( in Canarian Spanish ) "That the fig needs to decide if it wants to live with you and wants to share its fruits with you". She was right.. almost to the day.. in the 7th spring of me owning the twig.. it started to grow and is now a huge, healthy tree that bears more fruit than we know what to do with. Maybe there is something in old wives tales after all!