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Fig Tree - Ficus carica

This is a large, fast-growing, evergreen tree, reaching up to 35 m high, with large, oval, green leaves borne on a massive, spreading crown. Figs are produced from September to March (South Africa) they are borne in large clusters mostly low down on the trunk and can even appear at ground level arising from the roots. As with most figs it is inadvisable to plant the broom cluster fig near buildings, paving, sewer lines or walls as they may damage them with their aggressive root system. It is important to bear in mind that this is a large tree and needs a lot of space and is therefore not suited to limited spaces. Fig trees enjoy plenty of water and full sun.

Soil type: Sandy, Clay, Loam
Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer, Sporadic/All year
PH: Neutral
Flower color: Green

Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Easy

Special Features:

  • Attracts birds
  • Edible plant
  • Medical plant

Tree Seed Planting Instructions:

  1. Prepare your biodegradable pot with the growing medium.
  2. Place the seeds in luke warm water.
  3. Let the seeds soak for a few hours.
  4. Prepare a pot of weed-free soil.
  5. Plant the seeds under a thin layer of the mixture.
  6. Be sure to keep moist and warm during germination but do not over water. Germination can take 1 to 3 weeks.
  7. Transplant the pot with seedlings into another pot once the true leaves appear. The entire pot can be planted into a larger container with a well-composted, sandy seedling mixture.

General Transplanting Instructions:

  1. Once the seedlings reach 30cm transplant the tree into the garden.
  2. Prepare the site for planting by:
    • Dig a hole no deeper or wider than the soil in which the seedling has grow, but about 3 times wider than the container.
    • Ensure the sides and bottom of the hole have loose soil in order for the roots to grow easily.
    • Add bone meal to the soil in the hole before transplanting the tree.
    • Fill the hole with water, it should drain fairly quickly.
  3. Transplanting the sapling:
    • Identify the root ball: The root ball is comprised of all the roots contained in a pot.
    • Remove the container carefully from the sapling root ball by laying it on its side and tapping it all around so as to loosen the soil and roots of the sapling.
    • Gently uncurl and straighten the roots so that they are going outward from the trunk.
    • Do not plant any part of the trunk under the soil. Aim to cover the sapling with about 15mm of the root ball exposed above the soil.
    • Back fill with the soil to one third and tamp down. Gently scratch the root ball to loosen fine roots to encourage them to grow into the new soil. Then back fill the rest of the hole and tamp down.
    • Immediately after planting, mulch with wood-chips, leaf mold or compost in a large area around the tree. This layer of mulch should not be more that 10cm deep and should never rest against the stem of the tree.
    • Keep the soil moist but not soaked. This may mean watering once or twice a week until the tree is settled well in its new home. For the first two weeks to a month, depending on weather and environmental conditions.

When to plant

Spring / Early Autumn

Where to plant

  • Full sun (direct sunlight for at least 6 - 8 hours).
  • In slightly sandy or loamy soil.

Germination time

1 - 3 weeks

When can I regrow

Wait until the next growing season.

Plant Specs

  • Large, broad, and deeply lobed leaves.
  • Height: 3 - 10 meters

fig tree