Fruit TreesMoraceae

Fig Trees.

Warm seasonPerennial
At a glance

The spec sheet.

Indoor start
Container overwinter
Direct sow / out
Container after last frost
Germ
Purchased trees or cuttings
Days to harvest
Fruit year 2–3
Spacing
One large pot
Depth
Large container
Square-foot
In a pot — bring inside for winter
Qty target
1–2 potted trees for regular fresh eating.

Plant

Excellent as container trees in NJ. Bring inside a garage or basement after first hard freeze; return outdoors in April.

Care

Water regularly during growth; taper as fruit ripens. Little maintenance beyond overwintering.

Harvest

When figs droop and are soft — must ripen on the tree. Pick every 1–2 days.

Preserve

Fresh only for most of it; fig jam, dried figs, poached figs.

Companion planting

What fig trees likes, and doesn’t.

Good neighbors

  • Container companions: strawberries, herbs

Avoid nearby

  • None significant