Fig trees are among the least demanding of all varieties of fruit trees. With hundreds of cultivars to choose from, there is a fig tree for every grower in tropical or subtropical climates. But since they do not require much maintenance, fertilizing them can be a delicate balancing act.
As a general rule, you should only fertilize fig trees when soil nutrients are depleted or growth is stunted. In those cases, slow-release fertilizer is best and you can make your own fertilizer in the form of compost right in your own backyard!
Let’s look at specific fertilizing situations, commercially-available solutions, and some simple DIY approaches to fertilizing your fig tree.
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When to Fertilize Your Fig Tree
There are several factors that you need to consider before fertilizing your fig tree. In general, fig trees are not considered heavy feeders and do not require much fertilization.
You will only need to fertilize your fig tree when the following conditions arise:
- The nutrients in your soil become depleted.
- Your tree’s new growth appears stunted.
If those conditions apply to you, the age of your tree will determine how often and at which point(s) during the growing season you will need to fertilize.
Nutrient Depletion and Competition
Fig trees prefer soils that are loamy, but they can thrive in almost any type of soil, as long as the soil is well-drained and free of root-knot nematodes. An ideal soil pH level for figs is between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic).
It is always helpful to conduct a soil test before applying fertilizers or other soil amendments. Soil tests can tell you what type of soil you have, your soil’s pH level, whether any soil-borne diseases or fungi are present, and which nutrients are already available to your tree.
Fig trees need nitrogen more than any other nutrient, and typically, they can get all the nitrogen they need from the soil. If your soil’s nitrogen levels are already plentiful, do not add more. Excess nitrogen can cause poor harvests, split fruit, and fruit souring.
However, while fig trees may not be heavy feeders, the plants surrounding them might be. If your fig tree has to compete with trees, shrubs, or other plants for nutrients, it may not be getting enough nitrogen after all.
Proper spacing can prevent nutrient competition. Fig trees that are trained to grow as bushes need about 10 feet of space, and those trained to grow as trees need as much as 20 feet of space (source).
If you already have other shrubs or trees planted in close proximity to your fig tree, your soil test will show you whether they have depleted the existing nutrients.
It is a good idea to test your soil regularly to monitor its nutrient levels. Unless your soil test indicates a need for more nutrients, do not fertilize your fig tree.
Test your soil and get specific recommendations for addressing deficiencies. Click here to learn more(link to SoilKit by AgriTech).
Stunted Growth
Monitor new growth on your fig tree for signs that it needs fertilizer. One such sign is the length of new shoots: if your tree’s newest shoots are shorter than 18 inches long, you need to apply some fertilizer (source).
On the other hand, if your fig tree’s new growth exceeds 24 inches per year, your tree is getting too much nitrogen. When a fig tree is over-fertilized, particularly near the end of the growing season, its new growth will not have time to properly harden before winter. This puts the tree at a higher risk of winter injury.
If you suspect that your fig tree may be consuming too much nitrogen, refrain from adding any fertilizers to your soil. Continue testing your soil periodically to keep track of its nutrient levels.
Age of the Tree
If your soil’s nutrients become depleted, your fig tree’s new growth appears stunted, (or both), the only remaining factor to consider is the age of your tree.
Do not fertilize when you first plant your fig tree. Allow it to settle into the soil first.
If your tree is young, less than six years old, and you are trying to encourage it to produce fruit, apply fertilizer three times: once in early spring, once in mid-May, and once in mid-July.
Once your tree is mature, six years old or older, if it is otherwise healthy, it will only need fertilizer once a year, in early spring.
How to Fertilize Your Fig Tree
The most important rule of thumb for fertilizing fig trees is that fertilizers should not be applied right at the base of your tree.
Instead, using your tree’s base as the center, apply fertilizer in a circle around your tree. This will ensure that your tree’s roots all have adequate access to nutrients.
If your tree is very young, your circle should be about 18 inches in diameter. The following year, make your circle wider, about 24 inches in diameter (source).
Continue expanding the circle as the tree grows. By the time it is mature and established, your circle should be approximately as wide as the tree itself.
Unfortunately, expert opinions vary regarding how much fertilizer growers should give their fig trees. This means that if your fig tree needs a nutrient boost, your best bet is to start with a conservative amount. You can consult a local Extension agent or other expert to learn how much fertilizer would be appropriate for your situation.
What experts do agree on is that in most cases, a slow-release formula is best for fruit trees. Slow-release fertilizers are beneficial in a number of ways:
- They provide nutrients to your tree for several weeks or months after only one application.
- The gradual release of nutrients prevents your tree from consuming the nutrients too quickly, which can cause unsustainable rapid growth, poor fruit development, and other problems.
- Many slow-release fertilizers are designed to work with the microbes in your soil. This makes them more efficient than quick-release formulas, while also improving the habitat of the beneficial microorganisms in your soil.
One of the best benefits of slow-release fertilizers is that, while you can find a wide array of options to purchase, you can also make your own (source).
Natural DIY Solutions
Compost
By far, the most common and beneficial DIY fertilizer is compost. Compost is the organic material left when fruit and veggie scraps, plant debris, paper, and other compostable waste decomposes over time. (See our guide: ). When compost is added to the soil, it acts as both a fertilizer and a soil conditioner.
Compost is a great choice for fig trees because, while compost does return nutrients to the soil, it does so at relatively low levels. There is a very low risk of over-fertilization when you use compost (source).
The four most widely used composting methods involve using one of the following:
- A backyard compost pile
- A compost bin
- A compost tumbler
- Vermicompost
Compost Piles
Creating a compost pile in your backyard is a good way to produce large quantities of compost over time.
Start by finding a spot in your backyard that is relatively dry and shady. Compost does require some moisture and heat, but too much of either can turn your compost pile into a mucky mess.
Collect a roughly equal amount of “browns” (twigs, dead leaves, and small branches) and “greens” (fruit and veggie scraps and lawn clippings). Chop or tear large pieces before adding them to the pile, and add water to dry materials. As they break down, the browns will release carbon and the greens will release nitrogen.
Moisture and oxygen are two important components in the decomposition process. Your compost pile should be damp, but not soggy. The ideal moisture level is comparable to a damp sponge.
You can supply ample oxygen to your compost pile by turning it every two weeks with a spade or pitchfork. Regular turning will also help you control the odor of your pile.
Compost piles are advantageous for gardeners who want to produce high volumes of compost to use all over their gardens. However, compost piles have some drawbacks:
- Compost piles may take a year or more to produce usable compost.
- Gardeners have limited control over the odor their compost piles will produce.
- Open-air compost piles can be very attractive to animals and insects.
- When piles become large, they can be difficult to turn.
Fortunately, there are other composting options.
Compost Bins
Compost bins come in a wide variety of sizes, which makes them great choices for gardeners who do not have space for backyard compost piles.
Large bins can hold between 70 and 170 gallons of materials. Bins of this size are used for “hot process” composting because the large quantity of decomposing materials releases a good deal of heat, often reaching temperatures of 150℉. This high heat speeds up the decomposing process and allows gardeners to harvest usable compost in as little as three months (source).
To better understand this, see Active Composting vs. Passive Composting.
These large bins naturally take up quite a bit of space, but there are much smaller options available, including patio-sized bins that require very little space. Small bins are used for “cold process” composting because they can’t maintain the same levels of heat that the large bins can. Cold process composting can take six months or longer (source).
If you choose a large bin, adjust your ratio of browns to greens so that there are twice as many browns. Both large and small bins still require some moisture, so be sure to add water to maintain the consistency of a damp sponge.
Compost Tumblers
Compost tumblers are very similar to compost bins. In fact, the only real difference is that compost tumblers are designed with cranks, baffles, and other mechanisms that allow you to turn your compost without a spade or pitchfork. If you already have a compost bin, a few simple modifications can turn it into a compost tumbler.
The composting processes are the same for bins and tumblers; however, many gardeners find tumblers much easier to manage because their mechanisms make turning and mixing the compost inside much simpler.
EJWOX’s dual-chamber tumbler (link to Amazon) allows for composting at two different stages in the decomposition process. Fill up one side and as it begins to turn to compost, you can start using the other side, continuing to make use of your kitchen waste. It contains an internal aeration bar that allows for airflow and is mounted on a powder-coated steel frame.
Vermicompost
Vermicompost is compost that uses worms as the primary decomposers. Many gardeners initially feel squeamish about using worms, but vermicomposting has several advantages:
- You can set up a worm bin using materials you may already have on hand (source).
- Bad odors are rare. In fact, many vermicomposters keep their bins indoors.
- Worms can accelerate the production of compost.
If you are interested in getting started with vermicomposting to make fertilizer for your Fig trees, be sure to read our roundup on the 11 Best Worm Bins Based On Size, Style, Location, And Usage.
Other Natural Fertilizers
When it comes to DIY fertilizers, compost is truly the only way to go if you want to add more nitrogen to your soil. However, because compost takes so long to develop, it may not meet the short-term needs of your fig tree.
While none of the following are DIY fertilizers, they are all-natural fertilizers that are good sources of nitrogen:
- Poultry manure
- Alfalfa meal
- Feather meal
- Corn gluten
- Fish emulsion (source)
Some of these options, like corn gluten and feather meal, are slow-release fertilizers. Others, like fish emulsion, are quick-release fertilizers that can give your tree an immediate boost when applied correctly.
All of these products can be purchased from lawn and garden stores, but prices and availability will vary.
Even though these fertilizers are natural and organic, it is still a good idea to take an “easy does it” approach to fertilizing your fig tree. For fig trees, there is a thin line between sufficient nitrogen and too much nitrogen, so start with the smallest amount possible and add more only if necessary.
Other Fertilizer Choices
Composting takes a long time, and organic fertilizers can be expensive. If your time and budget are limited, it may be worthwhile to consider a synthetic fertilizer.
Synthetic fertilizers contain the same chemical compounds as organic fertilizers; the only difference is that synthetic fertilizers are made in a lab while organic fertilizers are derived from animals or plants.
An 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer is a good choice for fig trees. Like organic fertilizers, synthetic fertilizers come in a variety of slow-release and quick-release options. For fig trees, slow-release will be the best (source).
Leonard makes 10-10-10 tree fertilizer spikes available online (link to Amazon).
When in doubt about which fertilizer will be best for your fig tree, take the results of your soil test to a local expert who can help you decide what will suit your tree and soil the best.
Conclusion
If your soil is fairly fertile, it may be years before you need to think about fertilizing your fig tree. During that time, you can start composting and have rich organic material to mix into your tree’s soil when it’s ready for some extra nutrients.
Compost is the best DIY fertilizer, but if your fig tree is struggling with a nutrient deficiency now, you may wish to try a quicker approach. There are a plethora of organic fertilizers available on the market that can deliver the nitrogen your tree needs.
- Author
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Sydney Bosque
Sydney has over 15 years of experience in lawn maintenance, landscape design, and organic gardening. She has an A.A.S. in Landscape Design/Organic Produce Production from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.
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FAQs
What is a natural fertilizer for fig trees? ›
Yes, banana peel fertilizer is good for the Fiddle Leaf Fig plant if the plant lacks potassium. Potassium is one of the main nutrients needed for healthy plants and one of the main ingredients found in banana peels. Here are all the nutrients banana peels contain: Potassium.
How do you fertilize a fig tree organically? ›Fig trees can be fed with organic plant foods or inorganic fertilizers, such as 10-10-10. When feeding edible plants I always go with an organic plant food. Organic plant foods and composts are usually non-burning, will not cause excessive growth, and will not have chemicals or other inorganic substances in them.
What's the best fertilizer for a fig tree? ›Either choose a fertilizer specially made for fruit trees or use an all-purpose 8-8- 8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer (this contains a balance of 8 % or 10% N [nitrogen] P [phosphorus] and K [potassium]). Nitrogen encourages foliage growth. Phosphorus encourages the development of roots, flowers and fruits.
When should you fertilize a fig tree? ›To fertilize your fig trees, give them a slow release fertilizer that's well-balanced, like formula 10-10-10 or 8-8-8, once in the spring and once in the fall.
Are coffee grounds good fertilizer for fig trees? ›There are risks to using diluted coffee or coffee grounds on fiddle leaf figs. Directly applying coffee grounds to indoor plant soil can cause excessive moisture retention, fungal overgrowth, and impair plant growth due to over-acidifying the soil.
What does Epsom salt do for fig trees? ›Epsom Salt is used on fruit trees or vegetables to help them yield larger, sweeter, and more fruits. It works great also for nut trees and fruit shrubs.
Is Miracle Gro good for fig trees? ›A month after planting, you'll want to add more nutrition to the soil for best growth of your fiddle leaf fig. Apply Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food, which is specially formulated for plants being grown inside, by putting it directly on the soil or mixing it with water.
Are eggshells good for fig trees? ›Also, eggshells don't just provide calcium carbonate; they're relatively rich in phosphorus, magnesium, silicon and sodium all of which can help your fig tree grow better.
How do you stimulate fig growth? ›During the dormant season, be sure to remove all dead, diseased, or weak branches to encourage growth. If you have an abundant growth of figs, you can thin the fruit to encourage larger figs. In colder regions, bring container-grown fig trees indoors for the winter. Keep the soil moist.
How often should fig trees be watered? ›As a general rule, a Fig tree needs at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water a week. Check the tree's leaves, if they start turning yellow and dropping off then it's a sign that the tree needs to be watered. Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Adding a layer of mulch around the tree can help retain moisture.
How do you encourage fig trees to fruit? ›
Typically, a fig tree will not fruit until it reaches two years old, but it can take some trees as long as six years to reach the right maturity. There is nothing you can do to speed up the rate a tree matures at. Time and patience are the only fixes for this.
What do you spray fig trees with? ›Your edible fig tree is suffering from rust. The tree should be sprayed with copper fungicide at weekly intervals for three applications. Pick off infected leaves on the plant and on the ground to minimize infection.
Can I prune my fig tree in September? ›Wait until the dormant season, late winter or early spring before starting to prune. This will limit the amount of sap that the tree bleeds and so will reduce the damage that the pruning might cause.
Can you over fertilize fig tree? ›Fertilizing Tips
Be sure not to over-fertilize because excess nitrogen will encourage growth at the expense of fruit production. This can often cause figs to ripen improperly, if at all. If the branches of your fig tree grow less than one foot the previous year, you should fertilize.
All fig trees are self-pollinating, provided they have a compatible pollinator. Both the pollen and the seeds are carried by the wind. There are two types of fig tree pollination needed to produce fruit, these are wind pollination and cross-pollination.
How do I make my fig tree trunk stronger? ›Make sure it's getting enough light (checking the distance between new leaves may help you determine this), 2. Give it some outdoor time where it can get a breeze, 3. Wiggle the trunk if you can't get it outside, and 4. Leave the leaves on to thicken the trunk!
How do you put coffee grounds on a tree? ›Add coffee grounds directly to the soil in your garden. You can scratch it into the top couple inches of soil, or just sprinkle the grounds on top and leave it alone. In smaller amounts, especially when mixed with dry materials, coffee grounds will give up their nitrogen.
Can I just sprinkle Epsom salt on plants? ›Adding Epsom salt is a simple way to increase the health of their blooms, and is something that you can include easily as a part of a normal routine. For potted plants, simply dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water, and substitute this solution for normal watering once a month.
How do you nourish a fig tree? ›Feed one and two year old trees an ounce of fertilizer a month, beginning when the tree starts to put on new leaves and stopping before the end of July. Give older trees one-third pound of fertilizer per foot (31 cm.) of bush height three times a year in late winter, midspring, and midsummer.
What happens if we Soak figs in water? ›Figs provide many nutrients and compounds that may benefit your health. Some suggest they can aid weight loss, especially when soaked overnight before eating them. This article reviews the nutrition of figs and whether soaking them can help you lose weight.
How much Epsom salt do you put in a fig tree? ›
The Epsom Salt Council recommends mixing 1/2 cup Epsom salt with water for every 500 feet of soil you need to cover. They suggest applying the mixture each time you irrigate around your fruit trees.
What mulch to use for fig trees? ›Organic mulches such as grass clippings, hay, or pine needles are extremely important in growing healthy fig trees. Mulch the tree 12 inches deep. The mulch will insulate warm soil temperatures in the winter and prevent the crown of the tree from freezing.
How do I winterize my fig tree? ›- As with figs in containers, after a hard frost remove all remaining leaves and unripe figs.
- Protect the base of the plant by mulching 6”-12” with leaves, straw, or other organic materials.
- Prune back the branches to a manageable height. ...
- Tie or bungee the branches.
Homemade fertilizer for a fig tree
Besides this general feed, I do my own fertilizer for my trees -> I use banana peels and leave them around the tree trunks of all my trees (you can see it here near my almond tree) where they decompose and dissolve while making the ground more fertile.
You can use eggshells to make a fertilizer tea that will add liquid calcium to your garden. Boil a gallon of water and add ten to twenty clean, dry eggshells. Let the shells sit in the water overnight, then strain them out. Pour two cups of liquid onto each plant.
How do you make eggshell fertilizer? ›Boil a gallon of water, and then add 10 clean and dry eggshells to it. For a stronger brew, add the shells of up to 20 eggs. Let the shells sit in the water overnight, and then strain the water. Pour the concentrate directly onto the soil to give plants a boost of calcium and potassium.
How do you make a fig tree happy? ›- Water your plant once a week. This is a great rule of thumb to get you started. ...
- Give your plant the same amount each time you water. ...
- Fertilize your plant each time you water during the spring and summer months.
Late winter is the end of the tree's dormant season and the best time to bring out your pruning shears. This will prompt new branches to sprout by early spring.
How do I get more branches on my fig tree? ›Notching is a method of encouraging a Fiddle Leaf Fig to branch that doesn't involve removing any height off the plant. Instead, small cuts or 'notches' are made up and down the stem or trunk to encourage new growth to form further down the plant.
How many cups of water does a fig tree need? ›A simple rule that many owners like to follow is to give a cup per two feet. So if your plant is two feet tall from the base of the soil to the tallest leaf then you would give it one cup of water a week. This scales upwards, two cups if it is four feet, and so on.
How do I know if my fig plant needs water? ›
How do I tell when my Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree needs water? Once you've established that the top few inches of soil have dried, the easiest way to tell if your Fiddle Leaf needs water is to look at the leaves. If the leaves are not rigid and upright, and they start to look floppy, they're telling you they need water.
What does an overwatered fig tree look like? ›Overwatering Symptoms: Brown spots or brown shaded areas in the middle of the leaves along with around the edges, yellowing leaves, and leaf drop (lower leaves often dropping first). Overwatering is one of the most common Fiddle Leaf Fig problems.
Why is my fig tree not bearing fruit? ›It may be a matter of age and being overly vigorous. When a fruit tree is younger, it puts most of its energy into producing leaves and shoots. Until the plant becomes mature and slows down in the production of leaves and shoots, it will produce few to no fruit.
Is Baking Soda Good for fig trees? ›Insect Damage: If you are noticing small holes, webs, or insects on your fiddle-leaf fig, then there is a good chance that you have an infestation. To get rid of the pests, simply place some baking soda in a spray bottle of water and spray the plant.
What do you wipe fig leaves with? ›Wipe the Leaves With Water and a Soft Cloth
If you have very hard water or a water softener, you may want to use a spray bottle of distilled water to avoid harming your plant. I use this small spray bottle from Amazon (pictured below) and a clean washcloth.
Keep your tree away from vents, space heaters, and drafts, and provide a humidifier or pebble tray to provide some extra humidity, especially if you live in a dry climate. Give your tree a shower every once in a while and make sure to mist your new leaf buds so they can grow out healthy, green, and shiny!
Can I prune my fig tree in fall? ›The best time to prune fig trees is in the winter, while the trees are dormant. Newly planted figs should be pruned after the tree's first growing season, before a new flush of spring growth.
Can I plant a fig tree in October? ›September/October is a good time to plant fig trees in our area because the fast-growing shrubs/small trees will have time to establish a healthy root system before winter frosts arrive and the plants go into dormancy. They'll have a head start kicking into their growth phase come spring.
Will figs ripen in October? ›Fig season can run from mid-June to early October, depending on the varieties. Your trees may still have green figs that just won't seem to ripen. Here's some reasons why: Fig trees have a long juvenile period and can take from two to six years to begin producing fruit.
What does lime do for fig trees? ›Answer: Figs gain very little from lime except some calcium and magnesium. Also the lime can help adjust the soil acidity. But too much of any soil amendment can cause plants to be poor performers.
Should you mulch around a fig tree? ›
Maintain a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the fig tree to retain soil moisture and improve soil quality. Apply the mulch in the spring and fall under the canopy of the tree. Avoid piling mulch and soil against the trunk of the tree and root crown.
What is the best fertilizer to make trees grow faster? ›High-nitrogen fertilizers are known for causing huge growth in plants, which is why many types are rich in nitrogen or include it as the main component. Fertilizers high in nitrogen will also restore bright green hues to your foliage.
Do all figs need fig wasps? ›All fig trees are pollinated by very small wasps of the family Agaonidae. Fig trees are tropical plants with numerous species around the world.
Why figs should be soaked before eating? ›Pre-soaking helps to break down the soluble fiber content present in figs. It also helps to delay glucose absorption in the body[16]. However, fresh figs are lower in calories and sugar content, as the sugar becomes concentrated when the fruits are dried.
Do figs like chicken manure? ›Ensure that your Fiddle Leaf Fig is potted in rich, well-draining soil. I mix in a slow release fertilizer and a well composted chicken manure which mine seem to love. When the soil looks tired I refresh it with some more slow release fertilizer and good quality potting mix dug into the top.
Is Miracle Grow good for figs? ›A month after planting, you'll want to add more nutrition to the soil for best growth of your fiddle leaf fig. Apply Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food, which is specially formulated for plants being grown inside, by putting it directly on the soil or mixing it with water.
How can I make my fig tree grow better? ›Keep the tree in full sun in the summer. Be sure to add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks in the spring and summer and water the tree moderately. In the winter, move the tree indoors and keep the soil moist. For outdoor fig trees, plant the tree in the spring or early fall in full sun.
Do fig trees need a lot of water? ›Figs don't like wet feet, so don't water them too often. Allow the tree to dry a bit between watering. Remember to water slowly and deeply; just don't overwater. Every ten days to two weeks is sufficient.
How do you keep a fig plant healthy? ›Fiddle Leaf Figs need a lot of natural light and do best when placed directly in front of a window. Water thoroughly about once a week, allowing the top couple inches of soil to dry out before watering again.
How many times a week should I water my fig tree? ›The number one way to kill a fiddle leaf fig is to overwater it or not allow for proper drainage. Water your plant about once a week or every 10 days.