Growing a fig tree from a cutting is an easy, cost-effective way to propagate new fig trees Figs are one of the most straightforward fruits to root from cuttings, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners or anyone looking to expand their fig collection In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process of rooting and growing a fig tree cutting, from selecting and preparing the cutting to caring for the young tree.
Why Grow a Fig Tree from a Cutting?
There are several advantages to propagating figs from cuttings rather than purchasing young trees
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Access to more fig varieties – Nurseries have a limited selection, but cuttings allow you to acquire new cultivars from fellow gardeners.
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Control over the tree’s age – Cuttings produce trees the same age as the cutting, so you know exactly how old your tree is.
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Cost savings – Growing from a cutting is much less expensive than buying from a nursery.
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Fun propagation project – Fig cuttings are a great introduction to plant propagation that kids enjoy watching
When to Take Fig Cuttings
The best time to take fig cuttings is late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. Cuttings taken at this time are woodier and often root more successfully.
You can also take cuttings in summer when the tree is actively growing, but these “greenwood” cuttings require a bit more care.
Selecting a Fig Cutting
When choosing a branch for your cutting, look for:
- 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness – Avoid wispy or mature branches
- 3-6 nodes – Nodes are bumps where leaves emerge
- Healthy wood – Not dry or brittle
- No fruit – Branches with immature figs sap energy
Preparing the Fig Cutting
Follow these steps once you’ve selected your branch:
- Cut the branch to 6-8 inches using clean, sharp pruners.
- Optional: Trim off leaves, leaving just the top few.
- Optional: Slice the bottom to expose more vascular tissue.
- Dip the bottom 1 inch in rooting hormone (optional but can help).
- Use 6-8 cuttings to allow for failures. Share extras!
Rooting the Fig Cutting
Now you’re ready to stick the prepared cutting into soil or another rooting medium:
- Use a sterile, light mix like perlite, vermiculite, or peat/coir potting soil.
- Water the medium well before inserting cutting. Should be damp but not soggy.
- Bury 3-4 inches deep, ensuring 2-3 nodes are underground.
- A 3-4 inch pot with drainage holes works well. Terra cotta helps moisture.
- Provide bright indirect light and 70-80°F for fastest rooting.
- Cover with a plastic dome or bag to increase humidity.
- Label each pot – no one likes a mystery tree!
Caring for the Cutting
While your cutting develops roots over 6-12 weeks, be sure to:
- Check soil moisture frequently, water when top inch is dry.
- Provide consistent warmth around 70°F. A heat mat can help.
- Remove humidity dome after 3-4 weeks once it starts growing.
- Watch for roots emerging from drain holes – a great sign!
- Avoid fertilizing until well-rooted and putting out new growth.
Transplanting the Rooted Cutting
Once your cutting is well-rooted and growing, it’s time to transplant into a larger pot or the ground. Follow these tips:
- Wait until the cutting has a strong, healthy root system. Give it time.
- Water thoroughly a few hours before transplanting.
- Tease apart any circling roots before planting.
- Ensure the stem base is at ground level when planting.
- Water immediately and shade for a few days to help recovery.
Ongoing Fig Tree Care
You’ve successfully grown a new fig tree from a cutting! Now keep your tree healthy and productive with:
- At least 8 hours of full sun. Figs love heat.
- Deep weekly watering, allow drying in between. Figs dislike wet feet.
- Monthly fertilizing during spring and summer with balanced organic options.
- Annual winter pruning to shape and stimulate new growth.
- Protection from temperatures below 15°F or major freezes.
- Patience – most figs bear fruit 2-3 years after rooting. Enjoy the process!
Growing a fig tree from a cutting requires some initial time and care, but the reward is huge. You’ll have a productive tree tailored to your garden that you propagated yourself. With a little TLC, you can continue propagating fig trees for years to come!
Propagating Fig Trees
Skip ahead to any area of propagation youre most interested in.
Whip and Tongue Grafting Fig Trees:
- Choose a healthy rootstock and scion for your graft. The rootstock or the place you want to bud graft onto should be at least 1 inch in diameter.
- Use a clean and sharp knife to make a small vertical T-shaped incision in the bark of the rootstock.
- Cut a single bud from the scion, making sure to include a small piece of the bark and underlying wood.
- Insert the bud into the incision in the rootstock, making sure that the cambium layers of the two plants are aligned.
- Cover the graft with Buddy Tape or Parafilm to keep the graft union from drying out.
Propagate Fig Trees from Cuttings
FAQ
Can you grow a fig tree from a cut branch?
You can also prepare a well-draining raised bed to directly plant your fig cuttings into. Filled with light and fluffy soil, fig trees will root easily and you’ll be able to dig them up in the summer or fall to transplant them elsewhere.
How to grow a tree from a branch?
Cover the buried section of the branch with soil or a rooting medium, leaving the tip exposed. Water the layered branch thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist. Wait for roots to develop along the buried section of the branch. This can take several months to a year, depending on the plant species.
Can you grow a fig tree from a leaf?
Another propagation method popular for fiddle leaf figs is putting a cutting or single leaf in water. Lots of people have great success with this method, and it’s fun because you can see the rooting progress instead of having to wait to see growth or tug on the cutting. Plus they look pretty in the glass container.
How to start a fig tree from cutting?
Starting a fig tree from cutting is a fairly simple and straightforward process. Here is how to do it in the step – by – step guide, my simple method: Step 1: Ideally, choose a dormant season (winter) to propagate the tree. However, if you can’t do it in the dormant season, you can also do it at any other time, with a little bit of lower success.
Can fig trees grow without rooting?
Of course, they also need to be healthy and disease-free. Take cuttings from a celeste fig tree if you want fig trees that grow fast with figs ripening early. Another type that’s worth propagating is the weeping fig tree. This tree is easy to take cuttings from, and its cuttings can grow without using a rooting hormone.
Can you grow figs indoors?
Figs are excellent producers, even in pots, and they have handsome foliage with bold, lobed leaves that make them quite ornamental. Some varieties such as ‘Fignomenal’ and ‘Petite Nigra’ can be brought indoors to fruit year-round if under a grow light.