How to Grow Figs
Ficus carica
Sun-loving, low-fuss trees that reward warmth with soft, honeyed fruit.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About figs
Figs are among the easiest fruit trees for a warm, sunny spot — self-fertile, drought-tolerant once established, and quick to bear. Most need little pruning and no pollination partner. In colder zones they thrive in large containers that can be sheltered over winter, or against a warm south-facing wall.
When to plant and harvest figs
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Not applicable — plant a tree or rooted cutting
Transplant outdoors
Spring, after hard frost
Direct sow
Not applicable
Harvest
Late summer into fall
How to grow figs step by step
- 1
Plant a young tree or rooted cutting in spring in the warmest, sunniest spot you have.
- 2
In cold zones, grow in a large container you can move into an unheated garage or shed for winter.
- 3
Water deeply but infrequently; avoid rich soil and heavy feeding, which delay fruiting.
- 4
Prune lightly in late winter to shape and open the canopy — figs need little.
- 5
Mulch the roots and, in borderline zones, wrap the trunk over winter.
- 6
Let fruit ripen fully on the tree; figs do not ripen after picking.
Common problems growing figs
⚠ Fruit drops before ripening
Often cold, drought stress, or a young tree — keep watering steady and be patient as the tree matures.
⚠ Winter dieback in cold zones
Wrap or mulch the trunk, or grow in a pot moved to shelter; many figs resprout from the base even if topgrowth dies.
⚠ Fruit never sweetens
Figs only ripen on the tree in full sun — give maximum heat and don’t pick until soft and drooping.
✓ Good companions for figs
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting figs
Pick figs only when fully soft and the fruit droops on its stem — a ripe fig yields to a gentle squeeze and may show a drop of nectar at the eye. They don’t ripen off the tree and bruise easily, so harvest gently and eat or preserve them within a day or two.
Figs: frequently asked questions
Do fig trees need a pollinator?＋
Common home varieties are self-fertile and need no second tree or pollinating insect — one tree will fruit on its own.
Can I grow figs in a cold climate?＋
Yes — grow a hardy variety in a large pot and move it into an unheated garage for winter, or plant against a warm wall and wrap the trunk.
Grow figs in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside figs, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
