Fig.

De un vistazo

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous fruit tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 to 10 meters

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 10

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Provide plenty of sunlight to encourage fruit production and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Watch for spider mites or scale insects on the undersides of leaves. Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to maintain shape and improve airflow.

Watering

Water deeply when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season from spring through mid summer.

Pruning

Prune during winter dormancy to remove dead wood and encourage new fruit bearing branches.

Repotting

Repot every few years when the roots become crowded or the tree stops growing vigorously.

Soil

Well draining, fertile loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.8

Temperature

-10 to 40°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Seguridad

People

The milky sap contains furocoumarins which can cause skin irritation and photosensitivity upon contact.

Pets

The milky sap can cause irritation to the skin and mouth of cats and dogs if ingested or touched.

Children

The milky sap is a skin irritant, so keep children away from broken stems or leaves.

Contact allergens

The sap is a known skin irritant that can cause dermatitis when exposed to sunlight.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not a major allergen, but the dust from dried leaves can irritate sensitive airways.

Edibility

While the fruit is edible, the milky sap can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat if ingested in large quantities.

Cómo identificarla

• Deeply lobed, palmately veined leaves
• Milky white sap in stems
• Smooth, greyish bark
• Pear shaped edible fruits
• Rough textured leaf surface

Height

3 to 10m

Spread

3 to 8m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

green, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

purple, brown, green, Late summer to early autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Fig rust — Small, reddish brown spots appear on leaves, eventually causing premature leaf drop.
• Fig mosaic virus — Causes yellow mottling or mosaic patterns on the leaves.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

cuttings, layering

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In cold climates, move container plants to an unheated garage or shed once leaves drop. Keep the soil barely moist throughout the winter months.

In containers

Figs grow very well in large containers, provided you use a pot at least 15 to 20 gallons in size.

Plant Mediterranean herbs around the base to create a cohesive, low water garden zone.

Buenas compañeras

• Rosemary — It thrives in similar sunny, well drained conditions.
• Lavender — It enjoys the same Mediterranean climate and soil requirements.
• Thyme — This low growing herb acts as a living mulch to retain soil moisture.

Especies parecidas

• Rubber tree — It is a related species often grown as a houseplant.
• Fiddle leaf fig — It shares the same genus and milky sap characteristics.

Ciencia

Family

Moraceae

Genus

Ficus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region and Western Asia.

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

Figs are drought tolerant once established and often grow in rocky, well drained soils in their native habitat.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, food for birds

Pollinators

beetles

Uses

edible fruit, ornamental specimen, shade tree

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Why is my fig tree not fruiting?

It may be too young, or it might be receiving too much nitrogen fertilizer which encourages leaves over fruit.

How do I know when to harvest?

The fruit is ready when it hangs downward, feels soft to the touch, and changes color.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Ficus is the Latin word for fig, while carica refers to Caria, an ancient region in Asia Minor where many figs were grown.

Bueno saberlo

• Figs have been cultivated for thousands of years.
• They require a specific wasp for pollination in their native range.
• The wood is sometimes used for smoking meats.
• Figs can produce two crops in a single growing season.