How To Care For Fig Tree

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.

How often do you water a fig tree?

Figs don’t like wet feet, so don’t water too often. Allow the tree to dry a bit between watering. Remember to water slowly and deeply; just don’t overwater. Every 10 days to 2 weeks is sufficient.

What do fig trees need to survive?

Fig trees need a sunny spot in your yard that classifies as receiving full sun to partial shade. Fruit trees need as much sun as they can possibly soak in to produce the greatest amount of fruit; a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sun exposure is recommended.

Should fig trees be cut back?

When a fig tree is first planted, you should trim a fig tree back by about half. In the next winter after transplanting, it is best to start pruning fig trees for “fruiting wood.” This is wood that you will be pruning to help keep the fruit healthy and easy to reach.

How do I get my fig tree to fruit?

If your fig tree is putting too much of its energy into branch and leaf growth, rather than setting fruit, identify the new growth branches – they’ll be more flexible than old growth – and pinch off their tips. This setback will encourage them to set fruit, instead.

How much sun do figs need?

Figs need two things to thrive: sunshine and elbow room. Select a spot that provides at least six hours of sun daily. In colder regions, help figs survive winter by giving them a southern exposure or placing them near a south-facing wall that will retain heat.

How do you keep a fig tree alive in the winter?

The tree will want to go into dormancy and will look unhealthy all winter long. Once all of the leaves have fallen off the fig tree, place the tree in a cool, dry place. Often, people will place the tree in an attached garage, a basement or even closets indoors. Water your dormant fig tree once a month.

Do figs like sun?

For big, succulent fruit, your fig trees will need to get as much sun as possible. While fig trees can tolerate partial shade, you’ll have the best results if the trees are placed in full sun. While fig trees will need supplemental water during the growing season, they like to stay dry in the winter and fall.

What month do fig trees bear fruit?

For warmer and inland climates, the usual harvest time is between June and September. In some tropical locations, fig trees may bear some fruit throughout the year, with increased production in early summer and midwinter.

What is too cold for a fig tree?

Get familiar with figs The plants are deciduous, going dormant over the winter in all but the warmest parts of North America. Fig trees tolerate more cold than many people realize. Mature, dormant plants can survive temperatures as low as 15° to 20°F—sometimes even colder—without damage.

Can I cut the top off my fig tree?

Cut off the top of the newly planted fig tree about 24 inches from the soil. Act in late winter or early spring before the first buds appear. Trim all remaining branches back to 6 inches.

Do figs grow on new or old wood?

Figs produce fruit on 1 year old wood and the upcoming season’s growth. They require little specialized pruning; head back to keep tree to manageable size and thin to keep aerated.

Can you eat fig skin?

Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Wash the figs and gently pat dry to serve whole.

Is used coffee grounds good for fig trees?

There are risks to using diluted coffee or coffee grounds on fiddle leaf figs. Directly applying coffee grounds to indoor plant soil can cause excessive moisture retention, fungal overgrowth, and impair plant growth due to over-acidifying the soil. This in turn will foster gnats and grow mold in the soil.

What is the lifespan of a fig tree?

Fig | 30-50 years.

Do fig trees like coffee grounds?

The plant will show you! Fig trees generally thrive in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. But if they have coffee on them, this can fall to about 5.2, which is way too acidic for the plant. One sign of too much acidity is yellowing in leaves, which you would notice in an underfed plant.

Are fig trees easy to take care of?

Despite its popularity, it’s certainly not the easiest houseplant to look after, but its visual impact in a space is unmatched when given proper conditions and care. The Fiddle Leaf Fig appreciates a warm, humid environment, a fair amount of water and plenty of light. They will not thrive in low-light locations.

Can a fig tree grow indoors?

Can you grow a fig tree indoors? The short answer is no. Here’s why you wouldn’t want to: The edible fig (Ficus carica) needs full sun in the summer, which is almost impossible to get indoors. In autumn, the deciduous fig tree loses its leaves and goes into dormancy for the winter, when it doesn’t need any sun at all.

How do you care for a potted fig tree?

After planting your fig tree in its container, water it well, then add a layer of mulch. The mulch will keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. During hot summer weather, your fig tree may need more frequent watering, possibly even daily.

Do fig trees come back every year?

Don’t worry if your tree dies back to the base. The main, most productive, and most flavorful crop grows on the current year’s new growth and is harvested in late summer to early fall. Many figs adaptable to colder climates do not usually produce an early breba crop, which grows on the wood of previous years.

Does fig tree lose leaves in winter?

Low light levels, cold drafts, low relative humidities, and other environmental factors are stressful to plants. The stressful conditions may cause figs and other houseplants to shed a few leaves in winter. Good, consistent care during the winter months should keep leaf drop to a minimum.