Fig Tree

Fig Trees bring a touch of Mediterranean paradise to your home! The Common Fig tree is a stunning, deciduous tree or large shrub features broad, lobed, and richly textured leaves that provide excellent shade and an tropical feel to any landscape or patio. Though often grown in the ground in warm climates, it adapts beautifully to container growing, typically reaching a manageable 10-30 feet in height with a similar spread when planted, but staying much smaller in a pot. The fig fruit, a tear-drop-shaped delicacy has a sweet, honey-like flavor when ripe and can be eaten fresh, dried, or canned. Growing your own figs offers an unbeatable sense of accomplishment, growing highly nutritious fruit right in your backyard. Or simply grow for an exotic architectural element in your home with its unique foliage, making it a beautiful focal point. Fig trees are remarkably drought-tolerant once established, making them low-maintenance. They are also surprisingly adaptable to container growing, allowing even those with small spaces or cold winters to successfully harvest delicious figs indoors.

Also Known As: Fig Tree, Ficus Tree, Meditteranean Fig, Edible Fig, Smyrna Fig, Persistent Fig Tree, Ficus Carica Fig, Anjeer, Higo, Figuier, Feige, Ficus Communis.

Plant Name:	Tree, Fig
Latin Name:	Ficus carica
Days to Germinate:	20-60
Years to Fruit:	3 - 5 Years
Plant Height:	10 - 30 Feet
Spread:	10 - 20 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	5-10
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 18 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors (Preferred): Ficus Tree seeds do not require cold-stratification to germinate but may benefit from soaking. To germinate seeds, soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water prior to sowing. Plant indoors in trays or small pots with moist potting soil and cover with a thin layer of sand or soil, about 1 month before the last expected frost in spring, Mist gently and cover the pots with glass, plastic film, or a clear plastic lid or bag to create a humid, greenhouse-like environment. Store the pots in a warm place with indirect light, keeping the soil warm, ideally 70-80°F (20-25°C).F. Keep the soil moist allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors plant in spring in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. Soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water prior to sowing. Roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag and place bags in 70F-90F area for 1-2 weeks. To plant, make holes 1/18 inch deep and spaced 12-16 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/8 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-16 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	18-22 feet

Care During the Season:

Ficus Tree thrive in full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture throughout the growing season, so water deeply when the top inch of soil dries while avoiding soggy conditions; apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support new growth and again in midsummer if needed, then mulch around the base to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature. Prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing branches and to shape the tree, keeping in mind that figs produce on both old and new wood depending on the variety. Protect young trees from unexpected frost with wraps or covers, especially if 10F or colder, and thin fruit if branches become overly heavy to ensure larger, sweeter figs. Regularly check for pests like scale or aphids and treat early with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to keep the tree healthy and productive.

Harvesting:

Figs usually produce two crops a year, depending on the climate: the first crop (breba) grows in spring on last year’s branches and ripens around December to January, while the main crop grows on new branches in late fall and ripens from February to June. Figs are ready to harvest when they become soft, slightly droopy, and develop full color and sweetness. A ripe fig will feel tender when gently squeezed and may even give off a sweet aroma. To pick, hold the fruit gently and lift or twist it upward; it should detach easily from the stem without force. Avoid harvesting when they are still firm, since figs do not ripen well once off the tree. Check your fig tree every few days during ripening season, as figs mature quickly and can overripen just as fast.