A fig is botanically a specialized structure called a syconium, an enlarged, hollow receptacle lined with hundreds of tiny flowers. After pollination, these flowers develop into the small, gritty structures we perceive as seeds. These are actually the true fruits, or achenes, each containing a single viable seed. While fig trees can be grown from these seeds, this method of sexual reproduction is not the typical or most practical way to start a new tree for fruit production.
Growing Figs from Seed
To successfully grow a fig tree from seed, select a ripe, healthy fig and extract the tiny seeds from the pulp. Cut the fruit open and scoop out the pulp, then place it in a bowl of water and stir to separate the seeds. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, while non-viable seeds and pulp will float.
Rinse the sunken seeds thoroughly to remove any sugary residue and allow them to dry for a day or two. Enhance germination by lightly scratching the seed coat with fine sandpaper or by soaking the seeds in warm water for a day to break the protective coating. Sow the prepared seeds in a tray filled with a well-draining mix, such as peat, perlite, and a fine mineral component, planting them about a quarter to a half-inch deep.
Fig seeds require consistently warm and moist conditions to sprout, ideally placed in a warm spot with temperatures between 70 to 75°F (21-24°C). Covering the pot with clear plastic creates a greenhouse effect, maintaining high humidity and preventing the soil from drying out. Germination typically occurs within one to three weeks, though it can sometimes take longer. Once seedlings emerge, remove the plastic covering. Keep them in moderate light and consistently moist soil as they develop their first true leaves.
Understanding Seedling Variation and Maturity
Growing a fig tree from seed is an act of sexual reproduction, meaning the resulting plant is a genetic hybrid of the parent trees. Because the seeds contain genetic material from two different plants, the seedling will not be identical to the parent, a phenomenon known as not “coming true to type.” This genetic variation means the new tree might produce fruit of inferior quality, or no edible fruit at all.
Some fig varieties require a specific pollinator wasp to produce fertile seeds, and the resulting tree might be male, which produces inedible figs. The greatest drawback for the home gardener is the significant time investment required for seed-grown figs to mature and bear fruit. Seedlings often take five to ten years or more before they are old enough to begin fruiting. This extended waiting period, combined with the uncertainty of fruit quality, is why seed propagation is typically reserved for breeding new varieties rather than for home cultivation.
Propagating Figs Using Cuttings
The standard and most reliable method for home fig growers is vegetative propagation using cuttings. This technique is a form of cloning, ensuring the resulting tree is genetically identical to the parent and will “come true to type.” The best time to take cuttings is during the tree’s dormant season, typically in late fall or winter after the tree has shed its leaves.
Select healthy, pencil-thick hardwood branches from the previous season’s growth, cutting them into sections six to eight inches long. Each cutting should contain at least three or four nodes, which are the small bumps where leaves or roots emerge. Making a fresh cut just below a bottom node and a slanted cut above the top node helps distinguish the ends and encourages root development.
There are two primary methods for rooting cuttings: water or soil. For the water method, place the bottom two nodes of the cutting in a jar of clean water, changing the water weekly to maintain oxygen levels. The soil method involves planting the cutting directly into a well-draining mix, ensuring at least one or two nodes are buried. Placing the containers in a warm, bright location away from harsh sun encourages root formation, which can sometimes be accelerated by scraping the bark at the base or using a rooting hormone. This asexual propagation method allows the new fig tree to reach fruit production much faster than a seedling, often yielding fruit within one to three years.