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Fig Trees: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Figs | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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Figs

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Ficus carica
Plant Type
Fruit
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Hardiness Zone
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
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Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Figs

Catherine Boeckmann
December 1, 2023
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It may surprise you to learn that fig trees can be grown in both warm and temperate regions with a bit of extra care. There are even patio-sized trees that you can move indoors for winter. Try growing this luscious fruit with our guide to planting, growing, and harvesting figs.

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!

Read Next

Planting

Planting Fig Trees

  • Figs can be planted outdoors without much trouble in USDA 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. Some winter protection may also be required. Alternatively, figs can be grown in large containers and brought inside for the winter.
  • Plant fig trees outdoors in the early spring or late fall, when the tree is dormant.
  • 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. Be sure to add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks in the spring and summer 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-drained and contains plenty of organic material. (Learn more about organic soil amendments.) 
  • Space fig trees at least 20 feet away from any buildings or other trees.
  • Fig trees put down deep roots if given the chance, 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

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 for 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, the below-ground part of the tree will likely be unaffected. Remove all dead wood while the tree is still dormant, and watch for new growth in the spring. 
Recommended Varieties
  • ‘Brown Turkey’, which 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’, which vigorously produces small to medium fruit. Its figs are rich and sweet, and it is the most commonly canned fig.
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 bird 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 with fig tree and figs

Gardening Products

Wit and Wisdom
  • Figs are an excellent source of potassium, dietary fiber, and calcium.
  • “You can’t grow figs from thistles.”
Pests/Diseases
  • Root-knot nematodes
  • Leaf spots
  • Rust
  • Thrips
  • Twig dieback
Recipes
Figs Stuffed With Gorgonzola and Prosciutto
Open-Face Pear-Fig Pie
Fruit

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Comments

Jennifer F (not verified)

4 months ago

My greet produces well but the figs are dry and woody and very little flavor. Seems to ripen but maintains pulpy texture and no flavor. What should I do?

Figs are tricky to harvest as they need to be picked when they are fully ripe because they will not continue to ripen once picked.

With that being said, there could be other issues that led to your figs lacking that delicious flavor. Prolonged periods of heat or drought can affect the taste as can too much water. If it is an issue with lack of water, using straw or mulch to help with moisture retention would help. Fig trees also need 8 hours of sunlight a day and less than that can hinder the production of natural sugars. Figs don’t always require fertilization, but the addition of phosphorus and potassium help with fruit growth. Too much nitrogen may cause your tree to focus on growth instead of fruiting. Fertilizer should be added when the tree is dormant during the late fall, winter, and again in early spring.

It could also be a sign of disease, as fungi and bacteria brought about by insects can also cause a bland flavor of ripe figs. Checking your fruit for insects would be a way to see if there is a need for pest control or to rule it out as an issue.

 

Fred (not verified)

1 year 3 months ago

All my fig trees were getting to tall and spreading over my neighbors yard. I pruned all my fig trees last winter. This spring they all looked really good. The largest tree really had an abundant crop. Before the figs ripened, on the largest tree, all the leaves started turning yellow and falling off. The tree now appears to be dead. The others are doing well. Is there any way to get the tree to revive next spring or should I just dig it up?

My experience is the fig tree is most likely lost. I would dig it up and replant.
Good luck.
PS…I love figs any way you prepare them, but eating from the tree is my favorite.

Lillie (not verified)

1 year 3 months ago

How long does it take before I can expect to see fruit on my fig tree? I planted it in a container this spring and it is growing very well outside. Will it produce figs the first year?

A good variety of fig should produce fruit the first year if it is grown from a cutting of a mature tree; 'however poor varieties or those produced from tissue culture can take up to 4 years to ripen fruit .

How long does it take to fruit? What to do for slow growth?

Hi Fehmida,

On average, a fig tree will take 3 to 5 years to bear fruit. In terms of slow growth, it could be a sign of disease or pest problem. Fig trees also need regular watering during the growing season. The amount of water depends on the type of soil it is planted in and how deep the roots are. Mulching will help the soil retain moisture, just be sure to keep mulch away from the base of the tree. Fertilizing can also help. Figs do not need a lot of fertilizer, but if it is planted in a low fertile soil, more fertilizer will be required to bring the soil back to an adequate level. You can choose a fertilizer specially made for fruit trees or use an all-purpose 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer (a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Just be sure to not over-fertilize. For frequency, refer to the tips above in the Growing section.

I have a turkey fig and I received a few figs the first year everybody told me to pick him at wait for the following I didn't I regret it they all fell off anyway but did you get fruit and it's usually twice a year spring and fall good luck

Janis (not verified)

1 year 3 months ago

I live in northern Illinois. The Hardy Chicago fig over winters here, zone 5.