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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>Yesica</span> Mon, 03/19/2018 - 20:24
hi. I bought a very small fig plant and its grown so much. Yet it started to get its leaves yellowish brown and they started to fall off. My little tree is almost without its leaves. I'm starting to panic a little. What can I do to help it. As of right now it's in a pot. I'm thinking maybe I should plant it already. Any advice?
<span>Thomas Cozad</span> Tue, 08/06/2019 - 08:31
Hi. I bought a Chicago Hardy. Planted it in a pot and it started to grow just fine then died. A few weeks later I bought another one and it did fine. Several weeks later the first one started new growth at the ground. Both have been growing 2 years now. They are in their 3rd summer in SW Ohio. They come in for the winter.
<span>Lida</span> Tue, 03/20/2018 - 16:33
I think you should move it, or you could try the fertilizer mentioned in this article
<span>Yesica</span> Tue, 03/20/2018 - 20:14
Thank you. I'm going to do just that. Move my fig tree to the ground and hopefully that helps.
<span>Lois Budd</span> Wed, 03/14/2018 - 08:53
My fig tree is around 20 yrs old and for the last two years it has only a tenth of the leaves and "very little" fruit. Do I need to cut it down or is there something I can do to help it out?
<span>Lisa</span> Thu, 02/15/2018 - 22:22
I bought a dwarf and a semi dwarf fig tree, why do they need to be planted 20 ft away from structures and other trees? Thanks!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/20/2018 - 17:57

It's probably best to check with the grower on the type of fig tree and spacing requirements. For example, the Black Jack Fig is a semi-dwarf tree which grows up to 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but can easily be kept to 6 feet with annual pruning. Other semi-dwarfs are larger or smaller.

We've often seen fig trees planted in Turkey on the sunniest side of a building. Plant them about 4 feet from the building. Roots of fig trees will not damage masonry foundations of buildings or steel pipe, but they may damage clay sewer pipe. Do not plant fig trees within 25 feet of clay sewer pipe or over septic tank drain fields. If you plant fig trees in a lawn, keep a 2- to 3-foot area around each tree free of grass for à year or two until the tree becomes established.

 <span>Gene Logan</span> Sun, 12/17/2017 - 10:32
Hi. I need help with a very old fig tree that is growing and growing. Makes tons of really great figs. Only problem is most of the fruit is 20 to 40 feet up the tree and very difficult to harvest. Can I cut the tree back this winter to bring the tree and the fruit closer to Mother Earth? If so how should I go about doing this? I have pictures but don’t see a way to post them here. Thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 12/18/2017 - 14:01

There are ways to reduce an overgrown fig tree. Best time to do so in most cases is during late winter, when the tree is dormant. To reduce the size, you might want to work at it gradually, over three years. Each time, reduce the size of the fruiting wood back by 1/4 to 1/3. (Also remove any suckers, diseased or rubbing branches, etc.) Keep in mind that you may forfeit part or all of the next year's crop by doing so. (Some figs produce a breba crop in spring/summer on last year's growth, and then a main crop later in summer/fall on current year's growth. Others may produce only a breba or only a main crop. Pruning techniques may vary, depending on the type you have, and your region's climate.) Heavy pruning can expose previously shaded branches to sunlight, possibly causing sunscald. To avoid this, some experts advise whitewashing the trunks. Hope this helps!

 <span>Ritat</span> Thu, 11/23/2017 - 01:56
I live in Western Australia. I had a fig cuttings 3 years ago and put them into the ground and it bore 4 figs in the 2nd year. In it's 3rd year now and it is about 2 meters tall and has @50 fruits on it now. I am worried that the roots will uproot the driveway and want to remove the tree and put it into a large pot. Can you please advise me what I should do in order not to kill my lovely fig tree.