There's a lot to love about fig trees, especially if you're lucky enough to have one in your backyard. Fig trees have beautiful, lobed green leaves that provide plenty of shade for nearby low-light plants, plus they produce delicious fruit that you can eat on its own or bake into your favorite recipes.
Fig trees have plenty of other benefits: “From a functional standpoint, fig trees are easy to prune and don't need much water,” says Christian Douglas, an award-winning landscape designer and founder of Backyard Farm Company, based in Marin, Calif. “Fig trees produce well in sunny locations, grow easily from cuttings, and do very well in a variety of climate zones (if protected by cool temperatures).”
Fig trees were first cultivated over 10,000 years ago, about 5,000 years before olives and grapes. Growing a fig tree at home today is just as easy as it was back then. Here's everything you need to know about how to plant and care for a fig tree.
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Fig Tree Care
Douglas said fig trees are “very reliable and relatively easy to grow” and, if properly cared for, can produce a bountiful crop of figs every year, so it's important to keep this in mind when it comes to care requirements.
water
For the best tasting fruit, Douglas recommends watering fig trees deeply only once a week during the summer months.
“Just like with dry-grown tomatoes, reducing water will keep the sugars from diluting and produce sweeter fruit,” he adds. “If you want a larger, denser shrub, water twice a week to encourage more leafy growth.”
fertilizer
It's a good idea to fertilize your fig tree in the spring when the buds appear to keep it nourished throughout the growing season.
“I usually apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser, such as EB Stone Citrus and Fruit Tree Food, two to three times between April and July,” he says.
Fig harvest
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Figs won't ripen off the tree, so only pick them when they're soft to the touch. The skin is delicate, so be careful not to crush the fruit. But if the fruit remains hard, you may be facing a different problem.
“If your figs are producing fruit but not ripening in time, it may be because they're not getting enough sunlight to store sugars,” Douglas says. “Remember, the sun stimulates sugar production.”
You can expect at least one harvest per year, but in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 12, fig trees may produce fruit twice in one summer.
pruning
Like most shrubs, bushes and small trees, fig trees benefit from pruning early in the season.
“Spring is the best time to prune fig trees during their formative years,” says Douglas. “Usually two weeks after the last frost.” Prune as needed if branches are blocking aisles from rapid summer growth. When pruning fig trees, be sure to wear long sleeves and gardening gloves, as fig sap can irritate the skin.
Disease and pest problems
Fig trees are susceptible to disease and pests, so be sure to know the symptoms of these common problems.
Fig Rust: This is a fungal disease that appears as brown and yellow spots on the leaves. To treat, remove and discard both fallen and diseased leaves and sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the soil. Blight: This is another fungal disease that can spread to other plants if not treated at the right time. It is caused by hot, humid weather and causes yellow, watery spots to appear on the leaves before turning brown. Be sure to remove and discard affected leaves. Spider Mites: These tiny insects appear as tiny moving dots on the undersides of fig leaves and suck nutrients from the oils in the leaves. Blow off spider mites with a powerful hose or use insecticidal soap if the infestation is widespread. Mosaic Fig Virus (MSV): Caused by spider mites, this infection is identified by the appearance of a pattern of light green spots on the leaves. This can be fixed with rejuvenation pruning, which involves cutting back older branches. Related Articles
When and where to plant a fig tree
The best time to plant a fig tree is during the dormant season, but the timing also depends on your climate: those who live in warmer areas should plant fig trees in the fall, while those in colder areas should plant fig trees in the spring after the last frost.
Fig trees are easy to grow once established, but they do require lots of sun, so you'll need to be strategic about where you plant them on your property.
“Native to the Mediterranean, figs really love the heat,” says Douglas. “In cooler climates, a southwest wall is best; the figs will soak up the extra warmth from the microclimate that's created.” He adds that they'll do well in partial shade, but be prepared for less fruit production. Figs need plenty of space to grow, so they should be planted 15 to 25 feet apart. Dwarf varieties only grow 6 to 8 feet, but the Chicago Hardy fig, for example, can grow up to 30 feet.
Another tip: don't plant a fig tree too close to the house, otherwise it may damage the foundation.
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How to Plant a Fig Tree
If you've decided to buy a fig tree from a nursery and have picked a perfect sunny spot to plant it, follow these steps:
Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than the root ball. Fill the hole with compost and mix well. If your tree is in a pot, gently remove it from its pot and place it in the hole, then backfill with soil. For trees with exposed roots, soak the root ball in water for 3 hours before planting, allowing the roots to spread out after the tree is planted. Water thoroughly. Water your new fig tree thoroughly and generously.
Fig trees can also be grown in pots, which is good to know if you live in a cold climate, and Douglas suggests using old wine barrels as planters, as they're both large and beautiful.
“In USDA hardiness zones 7 and below, they can be carted into a greenhouse or barn before heavy frost or snow arrives,” he says.
Peter Carruthers // Getty Images
Related
How to Propagate a Fig Tree
Once your fig tree is large enough, you can plan to propagate it to add another tree to your property (or give it to a neighbor). Here's how to propagate a fig tree cutting:
In winter, when the tree is dormant, find a young branch about 1 cm wide. Take a cutting about 8 to 10 inches long. Cut the branch at a 45-degree angle and dip it in rooting salt. Place the cutting in a pot filled with compost and keep it in a sunny spot. Water frequently to keep the soil moist. Related Articles
Types of Fig Trees
There are hundreds of varieties of fig trees, but these common varieties are some of the best to plant in different regions.
Black Mission Fig
“If I were to plant just one tree, I would usually choose the Black Mission,” says Douglas, “Their fruit is jammy and full of sugars and healthy antioxidants. Figs also have a long shelf life and dry well.”
Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 7-9.
Adriatic figs
Native to the Adriatic region, this fig is well suited to warm climates and has a light green skin and flesh known for its honey-like taste, which is often used to make fig paste.
Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 7-9.
Brown Turkey
Unlike some fig trees, Brown Turkey Figs thrive in cooler climates and are a popular choice in more northern regions. This fig has a melon and honey flavor.
Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
Chicago Hardy
For cooler climates, Douglas recommends Chicago Hardy, which can survive soil temperatures as low as -20°F (though some branches will die back) and has a cherry and strawberry flavor.
Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 5-10.
King of the Desert
As the name suggests, Desert King Fig trees do not thrive in hot climates, but can survive temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Although they grow quickly, the fruit does not ripen until it is a pale yellow color. Desert King Figs are also known for being extremely sweet.
Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 6-10.
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Christian is a multi-award winning landscape designer with over 25 years of experience creating beautiful, productive outdoor spaces. Combining his formal training in classical design with his passion for regenerative agriculture, he has created innovative food-centric landscapes in his native England, Jordan, Australia and across the United States. In 2012 he opened The Backyard Farm Co., an edible landscaping business that creates urban farms and teaches families how to grow their own food.
