How to Grow a Fig Tree at Home for Endless Fresh Fruit—Indoors or Outside

Figs are a delightful option for home gardeners, combining sweet, rich flavor and ease of care. Once established, fig trees require minimal maintenance, are drought-tolerant, and can adapt to various soil types. Figs are versatile trees that can flourish in USDA growing zones 5 to 11, depending on their variety and the climate conditions. They also adapt well to container gardening, allowing you to enjoy fresh figs indoors or on your balcony or patio.

Ahead, our gardening experts offer straightforward and practical advice for nurturing your fig tree, covering essential aspects such as planting and harvesting to ensure successful cultivation.

When to Plant

The ideal time to plant a fig tree is in the spring after the danger of frost in your USDA hardiness zone has passed, says Craig Boyer, owner of Coastal Fig Company. Planting at this time gives the fig tree the entire growing season to establish itself. This allows it to develop a strong root system that effectively collects water and nutrients from the soil. Furthermore, it encourages vegetative growth and the formation of a sturdy branch structure for years to come. "The stems will also have a longer season to 'lignify,' or harden into woodier material rather than green growth, and will be more likely to survive a cold winter," says Boyer. 

How and Where to Plant a Fig Tree

Fig trees require ample sun, heat, and protection. With that in mind, it's essential to plant them in the right spot for long-term success. "The best place to plant a fig tree is up against a south-facing wall, where it will be protected from the north winds and obtain as much heat and sun as possible," says Boyer. Once you have the ideal spot, it’s time to plant. Here, Boyer shares straightforward instructions for successful planting.

1. Dig a hole: Dig a hole three times the size of the root ball and amend with high-quality compost. Place a small mound of soil at the bottom of the hole for the plant's roots to rest on.
2. Plant the tree: Carefully remove the tree from its container and untangle any roots. Position the tree at ground level or slightly above ground level and backfill the soil.
3. Water well: Water the soil immediately after planting to eliminate air pockets. Water deeply and slowly.
4. Protect the soil: Covering the ground around the fig tree with a woven ground cover, such as dewitt, will help keep weeds away and maintain soil warmth.
   

How to Care for a Fig Tree

To guarantee the success of your fig tree, it's essential to meet its needs for sunlight, soil, water, temperature, and fertilizer. With proper care, your fig tree can produce delicious fruit for many years.

Sunlight

Figs require six to eight hours of full sun daily and thrive in south-facing locations, which receive the most sun. "There is no substitute for full sun, so choose the warmest and sunniest spot in your yard," says Boyer.

Soil

Fig trees thrive in well-draining, organically rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Avoid planting a fig in clay-like soils unless the drainage can be significantly improved.

Water

Water your fig tree deeply about once a week—or more during extremely hot and dry weather. Aim to provide approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week. It's important to keep the soil moist without making it waterlogged to avoid issues like root rot.

Temperature

Figs grow best in warm conditions, preferring soil temperatures around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

In the first year, it is essential to feed your tree a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage new growth. In the following year, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote fruit production.

How to Harvest Figs

Harvesting figs is an exciting part of the cultivation process. The fruits typically ripen within 90 to 120 days after the figlets (small figs) appear. Boyer recommends picking the figs when they start to swell and droop and feel soft to the touch. Many figs also change color as they ripen, although this varies by variety. The fruit starts green and changes to its final color, such as dark purple or yellow.

"The easiest way to harvest a fig is to twist the stem from the branch," says Boyer. Hold the ripe fig near its base and give it a slight twist and pull. The fruits get sweeter the longer you wait to pick them, but don't wait too long. A ripe fig can become overripe quickly after peak ripeness, often within a one to two-day window.

How to Prune a Fig Tree

Pruning ensures your fig tree receives adequate sunlight and proper airflow, and reduces the risk of pests and diseases. The best time to prune a fig tree is late winter into early spring, says Bill Lauris, owner of Off the Beaten Path Nursery. "It is best for the tree to be dormant when pruning, with the sap not flowing and the buds not swelling."

1. Clean your tools: Sterilize the blades of loppers or pruners with alcohol to prevent the spread of possible disease or pests.
2. Select scaffold branches: Select three to five strong and healthy, well-spaced branches that will form the future structure of the tree.
3. Remove dead and diseased wood: Remove old, diseased, less vigorous growth. You can tell if the branches (especially tips) are dead by their coppery color.
4. Remove suckers: Pinch off the suckers, which steal energy from the rest of the tree.
5. Create an open center: Remove crossing branches that compete with other branches for sunlight. Aim to keep the center of the tree open so light and air can flow freely. "This may mean limiting the main trunks to five to seven main branches," says Lauris. 
   

How to Grow a Potted Fig Tree

Growing a potted fig tree is a rewarding process, and can be done year-round with the right conditions. Place the container outside during the summer and bring it back inside if you live in a region with harsh winters. Recommended varieties include Chicago Hardy, Jack Black, Brown Turkey, Celeste, and Black Mission. 

1. Select a pot: Choose a pot that is at least 18 to 24 inches in diameter with adequate drainage holes at the bottom.
2. Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. You can mix in materials such as coarse bark chips or sand to improve drainage. Add the potting mix to the pot.
3. Pot the tree: Remove the fig tree from its nursery pot. Gently loosen the roots if they are circling or tightly bound. Carefully place the fig tree in the new pot so the top of the root ball is as deep as it was in the nursery pot. Backfill with more soil, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space between the soil surface and the pot's rim.
   
4. Water thoroughly: Water your newly planted tree slowly and deeply, allowing the excess water to drain out.

How to Repot a Fig

Repotting a fig tree is best done when the tree is dormant, which is usually in late winter or early spring. You might notice signs that it's time to repot, such as roots growing out of the drainage holes or circling around the outside of the pot. Additionally, if the tree is drying out more quickly than usual, has yellow or sickly leaves, or seems top-heavy in its current container, repotting is likely needed.

1. Select a bigger pot: Choose a pot that is 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than its current pot. If the pot is too large, it can retain excess water, leading to root rot.
2. Add soil: Add lightweight, well-draining soil to the new pot.
3. Remove the tree: Carefully tip the tree on its side and pull it out of the old pot. Gently loosen the roots if they are circling and trim any dead roots.
4. Repot the tree: Position the tree in the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the rim.
5. Backfill and water: Fill the pot with soil, gently patting it down to remove air pockets. Water the newly repotted tree deeply and slowly, allowing the excess water to drain off.
   

How to Propagate a Fig Tree

Fig trees can be easily propagated from cuttings to create new plants. Lauris notes that the most effective method for rooting fig cuttings is to use hardwood cuttings taken when the plant is dormant, in the fall, winter, or early spring, before the sap begins to flow.

1. Select a cutting: Choose a branch that is approximately as thick as a pencil, advises Lauris. The cuttings should be about 6 to 10 inches long and contain at least three nodes, as these are the areas where roots and shoots will develop.
2. Apply ParaFilm (optional): Lauris recommends using ParaFilm, a stretchy, self-adhesive, biodegradable tape used in tree propagation, to create a protective seal around the cutting. "By wrapping ParaFilm thinly over the top, the cutting will retain more moisture and not dry out. It is also breathable, allowing oxygen exchange and preventing rotting of the wood," he says.
3. Score the cutting: Score the cutting laterally across the bottom node area. This will create a callous for quicker rooting.
4. Add soil and plant: Fill a small container with a sterile, well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting so that at least two to four nodes are buried below the soil line. This will encourage strong rooting.
5. Water well: Lightly water your cutting, avoiding overwatering. Cuttings typically root in one to two months, at which point you can repot the cutting into a bigger container.

Common Pests and Diseases

Like any plant, pests and diseases can be present. However, taking proper care of your tree—ensuring it is pruned, watered, and growing in ideal conditions—will help reduce your chances of pests and diseases. Common pests for figs include ants, mealybugs, scale, and borers, while common diseases are fig rust, anthracnose, and fig mosaic virus.