Do I need two trees to get fruit?

Most common garden varieties are self-fertile and do not require a second tree.

Why is my tree not fruiting?

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

Plant guide

Fig.

Ficus carica

Pronounced FY-kus KAR-ih-kuh

Also known as Common Fig, Edible Fig, Fig, Fig Tree

The common fig is a beautiful, deciduous tree known for its sweet, edible fruit and lobed leaves. It thrives in warm climates and can be grown in containers in cooler regions. You will love the Mediterranean charm it brings to your garden or patio.

Another photo of Fig — Photo by Claude Kolwelter (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

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: -12 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The milky latex sap can cause skin irritation and photosensitivity in some people.
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 irritating to the skin and eyes, so keep children away from broken stems.
Contact allergens: The milky sap contains furanocoumarins which can cause contact dermatitis or blistering when exposed to sunlight.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: Unripe fruit and leaves contain a latex sap that can cause significant mouth and throat irritation.

How to identify it

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

Height: 3 to 9m
Spread: 3 to 9m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: green, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: purple, brown, green, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Fig BeetleCommon
Fig RustCommon
Peacock SpotCommon
Leaf DropUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Verticillium WiltUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cold climates, move containerized figs to an unheated garage or shed once leaves drop. If planted in the ground, wrap the trunk with burlap or straw to protect it from harsh winter winds.
In containers: Figs grow very well in large containers, which also helps restrict their size and encourages fruit production.

Hardwood cuttings

1. Take a 20 cm cutting in late winter while the tree is dormant.
2. Dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Plant in a pot with well-draining soil.
4. Keep in a cool, bright spot until spring growth appears.

Plant drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs beneath the canopy to make the most of the dry soil conditions.

Grows well with

Lavender — They share similar requirements for full sun and well-draining soil.
Rosemary — This herb thrives in the same Mediterranean conditions as the fig tree.

Similar species

Creeping Fig — It is a related species but grows as a vine rather than a tree.

Science

Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region and Western Asia.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

Figs are highly adaptable to rocky, dry soils and thrive in areas with long, hot summers.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter for birds, fruit source for wildlife
Pollinators: wasps
Uses: culinary fruit, ornamental specimen, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Light: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need two trees to get fruit?: Most common garden varieties are self-fertile and do not require a second tree.
Why is my tree not fruiting?: It may be too young, or it might be receiving too much nitrogen fertilizer which encourages leaves instead of fruit.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Ficus is the Latin word for fig, while the species name carica refers to Caria, an ancient region in Asia Minor.

Good to know

Figs have been cultivated for thousands of years.
They are one of the few plants that can be grown successfully in large containers.
The fig wasp is essential for the pollination of many wild fig varieties.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.