How to Grow Figs in Pots

The only thing better than biting into a fresh, plump fig is the extra satisfaction of having grown it yourself. You might be surprised at how easy it is to grow figs. You don’t even need to plant them in the ground—there are many varieties that actually thrive in pots, making them a great option if you don’t have a yard or a ton of space for plants. Once your cutting is planted and established, all you need to do is give it a little TLC and it’ll grow into a tree that produces tasty figs for years to come.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Planting

  1. Image titled Grow Figs in Pots Step 1
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    Choose a cutting from a fig cultivar suitable for growing in pots. Select a fig variety that thrives and produces fruit in a container such as Blanche, Brown Turkey, or Celeste. Choose a healthy cutting from your local nursery to grow in your containers.[1]
    • You can also purchase seedlings or young fig trees that already have well-established root systems.
    • Blanche, also known as Italian honey figs, produces medium to large fruits, while varieties like Brown Turkey produce small to medium-sized figs.
    • Read the description of the fig variety to see if it’s suitable for growing in pots, or talk to the folks at the nursery for help choosing one.
    • You can also order cultivars from nurseries online and have them delivered to your home.
  2. Image titled Grow Figs in Pots Step 2
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    Go with a large pot of about 30 US gal (110 L) in size. Go with a large pot to give your figs plenty of growing space. Choose a clean, large-sized pot with good drainage so your fig tree has room for its roots to spread. Look for pots the size of half whisky barrels or something similar so your fig tree has abundant growing space.[2]
    • Use a clean pot! Figs are susceptible to pests like nematodes, which can hide in dirty pots.[3]
    • Make sure the pot drains well. Good drainage is super important for healthy fig trees.[4]
    • You may want to choose a pot that has wheels if you plant o move it.
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    Fill the pot with potting mix leaving a 1 inch (2.5 cm) gap at the top. Choose a soil-based potting mix with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 to help support your fig’s root system.[5] Pour the potting mix into your container until it’s about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the rim so you have room to water it.[6]
    • Pick up some quality potting mix from your local nursery or garden supply store.
    • Using potting mix also helps cut down on the chances of pests like nematodes attacking your figs.
    • If you’re unsure of your soil’s pH level, you can test it! If it’s too low, add some dolomitic limestone to bump it up a bit. If it’s too high, add some aluminum sulfate to it.
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    Add fine bark chips into the pot to help improve drainage. Fig trees need quality drainage for their root systems, especially if they’re grown in pots. Sprinkle some fine bark chips and mix it into your potting mix to help aerate the soil and improve the drainage.[7]
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    Plant your fig tree 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) deep in the pot. Dig a small hole large enough to fit the root system of your fig tree. Place your fig tree in the hole and then cover the roots back up with the surrounding dirt.[8]
    • If you’re replanting a young fig tree, you don’t need to prune or trim it. Just pull it out of the container and place it in the planting hole in your pot![9]
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    Water the soil as soon as you plant your fig tree. Use a watering can or a garden hose to water the fig tree to help settle the soil around the roots. Add enough water so it’s damp about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface of the soil.[10]
    • Wait until the spring months of March or April to plant it in your pot so it has the full summer to establish itself and thrive.[11]

Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Care

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    Keep the fig tree in full sun during the summer. Fig trees absolutely love the sun and the need it to help produce their delicious fruit. Move your pot to a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight in the summer to help increase the number of figs your tree grows.[12]
    • You can keep your pot inside near a window or outdoors in direct sunlight.
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    Water the pot to 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface whenever it’s dry. Keep an eye on the soil in your pot. Whenever it looks dry, add enough water to fully dampen, but not saturate the soil so your fig tree’s roots don’t rot.[13]
    • Depending on how dry and warm it is where you live, you may need to water your fig tree once or twice a week. No matter the season, make sure the soil is slightly damp, but not saturated.
    • When fruit starts to form on the tree in the summer, you may need to water up to 2–3 gallons (7.6–11.4 L) a day.[14]
  3. Image titled Grow Figs in Pots Step 9
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    Add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks in the spring and summer. During the growing season, give your fig tree the nitrogen it needs to thrive and produce healthy fruit. Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a tomato fertilizer, and apply it according to the directions on the packaging.[15]
    • Don’t give your tree fertilizer more often or it could damage the root system.
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    Prune any branches affected by pests or diseases. Fig trees are actually don’t have too many pests or diseases that can affect them, but if you notice any leaves with dark spots or pale growths on them, cut off the branches to contain any potential problems. Most infected fig trees can’t be cured of pests and diseases with chemical sprays or treatments so prune off any affected branches to keep your tree healthy.[16]
    • Root-knot nematodes can kill your fig tree, but if you prune back the affected branches you may be able to prolong its life so it can grow back.
    • Fig rust, pink blight, and leaf blight can all attack your fig tree, but if you’re able to remove the affected areas quickly, you may be able to save it.
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    Thin the fruit on the tree to encourage larger figs. If you want your fig tree to produce larger fruit, you need to thin the number of figs growing on the tree. Pluck off some of the young fruit to thin the growth on the tree so it focuses on growing larger, juicier figs.[17]
    • If your fig tree starts to produce a lot of fruit, they may end up being small and not as sweet.
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    Move the pot indoors during the winter. Fig trees don’t handle the cold very well so when winter comes, move the pot inside to keep it protected. Place it near a window or glass door so it gets sunlight but isn’t exposed to the elements.[18]
    • If you keep your potted fig tree indoors year-round, you’re all set!
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    Cut off any dead and weak stems in late winter. Pruning helps promote new growth on your fig tree, but it needs to be done outside of the growing season so you don’t damage it. Wait until late winter, such as January or February, and use pruning shears or a knife to cut off any dead growth.[19]

Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Harvesting

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    Wait until the end of summer to harvest your figs. Your fig tree will stop growing new fruit at the end of the summer growing season. Wait until then to harvest them so the fruit are at their largest and sweetest.[20]
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    Check to see if the figs are fully colored and slightly soft. Wait until the figs change from a green color to a darker, brownish color. Feel them with your hand to see if their just slightly soft to know their ripe and ready to be picked.[21]
    • Unripe figs can be sour or bitter, so wait until they’re ready!
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    Lift the figs up and pull them off of the plant to harvest them. Place your palm on the bottom of a ripe fig and lift it up. Gently pull the fig away from the branch to pick it. Continue picking all of the ripe figs from your tree.[22]
    • If the fig doesn’t come away easily, it may not be ready to be picked. Give it another day or so and try again.
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    Store the fresh figs in your fridge for up to 2-3 days. Fresh figs can spoil relatively quickly but you can keep them for a few days. Stick them in a container in your fridge and they’ll keep for about 2-3 days.[23]
    • You could also dry the figs to make them last longer. Use a dehydrator or dry out the figs in direct sunlight until they’re dry to the touch, but still pliable and chewy.[24]

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

Planting

  • Fig tree cutting, seedling, or young tree
  • Large pot
  • Potting soil mix
  • Fine bark chips

Care

  • High-nitrogen fertilizer
  • Pruning shears or knife (for pruning)


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References

  1. ↑ https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/growing-figs-in-pots.htm
  2. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/figs
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/LLLNVOYscus?t=126
  4. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/fig/fig.html
  5. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C945&title=Home%20Garden%20Figs
  6. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/figs
  7. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  8. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  9. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C945&title=Home%20Garden%20Figs
  1. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/fig/fig.html
  2. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/figs
  3. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  4. ↑ https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/growing-figs-in-pots.htm
  5. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/figs
  6. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  7. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/fig/
  8. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  9. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  10. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/dont-be-fooled-figs-grow-fine-western-oregon
  11. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-figs/
  12. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  13. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-figs/
  14. ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/figs
  15. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-figs/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 3,049 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: November 30, 2020
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Categories: Planting and Growing