Planting fig cuttings directly in the ground can be a great way to propagate new fig trees without going through the process of rooting them in containers first. With some simple preparation and care fig cuttings can take root right in the garden bed and grow into productive trees. In this complete guide we’ll walk through the entire process of planting fig cuttings in the ground, from choosing the right cuttings to caring for them as they establish.
Choosing Fig Cuttings for Direct Planting
The first step is selecting appropriate fig cuttings to plant Here are some tips
-
Take cuttings from healthy established fig trees that are 1-3 feet long Selecting longer cuttings gives you more options for burying a significant portion of the stem underground while leaving some nodes above the soil line
-
Use sharp, clean pruning shears to cut the fig shoots. Make a clean cut to avoid crushing or tearing the stem.
-
Look for shoots that are pencil-thick – around 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Pencil-sized cuttings have the best chance of rooting. Avoid very thin or thick shoots.
-
Pick straight cuttings without kinks or odd shapes for ease of planting
-
Take cuttings in late winter or early spring when the tree is still dormant.
Preparing Fig Cuttings for Direct Planting
Once you’ve gathered your fig cuttings, you’ll need to prepare them before sticking them directly into the garden. Here’s how:
-
Trim the tip and base. Using sharp pruners, snip off any leaves and trim the bottom and top of the cutting into clean, flat ends. This prevents disease and helps the cutting absorb water.
-
Score the base. Use a sharp knife to make several shallow, vertical slices near the bottom of the stem. Scoring allows the cutting to absorb moisture and nutrients better to stimulate root growth.
-
Apply rooting hormone. Dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone powder or gel. Rooting hormone contains hormones that encourage root formation.
-
Keep cuttings cool and moist. Until you’re ready to stick them in the ground, wrap cuttings in a damp paper towel and refrigerate in a plastic bag.
Choosing a Planting Location
When selecting where to plant your fig cuttings, consider these factors:
-
Sunlight: Choose a spot that gets full sun – at least 6-8 hours per day. Figs need lots of sunlight.
-
Soil: Well-draining soil is ideal. Figs tolerate different soils but prefer loamy soil rich in organic matter. Avoid heavy clay or soggy sites.
-
Drainage: Ensure the site doesn’t collect standing water after rains. Good drainage is key.
-
Shelter: Some protection from strong winds helps prevent drying out. But avoid heavily shaded areas.
-
Spacing: Leave 5-10 feet between cuttings if planting several. Mature fig trees can reach up to 15-30 feet wide.
-
Previous crops: Avoid following other fruits like berries in the same spot to prevent disease carryover.
Planting Fig Cuttings in the Ground
Once you’ve prepped your cuttings and chosen a spot, it’s time to plant. Follow these instructions:
-
Dig holes. Use a trowel or shovel to dig holes 12-18 inches deep and about 6 inches wide. Dig one for each cutting you want to plant.
-
Add compost. Mix some compost or well-rotted manure into the soil dug from each hole. This gives the new roots extra nutrients.
-
Plant the cuttings. Place each cutting in a hole. The base should be buried about 6-8 inches deep, with a few nodes sticking out above the soil line. Add more enriched soil around the cutting. Tamp down gently but firmly.
-
Water well. Thoroughly soak the soil after planting to remove any air pockets. Proper watering is crucial right after planting.
-
Consider staking. Staking the cuttings can help stabilize them while the roots establish. Use bamboo stakes and soft plant ties.
-
Mulch. Spread 2-3 inches of organic mulch like wood chips or straw around each cutting. Mulch conserves moisture and keeps roots cool.
Caring for Fig Cuttings After Planting
With the cuttings planted, your work isn’t done. You’ll need to care for them properly as the roots form and develop over the first year. Here are some tips:
-
Water 1-2 times per week. Fig cuttings need regular deep watering the first year. Always check soil moisture before watering – don’t water if soil is still damp.
-
Fertilize monthly. Using a balanced organic fertilizer, feed cuttings monthly through the first growing season. This nourishes the developing roots and canopy.
-
Protect from frost. If frost threatens, wrap or cover cuttings to avoid cold damage. Young fig plants are tender.
-
Weed and mulch. Keep nearby weeds pulled and maintain a 2-3 inch mulch layer. Weeds compete for water and nutrients.
-
Prune lightly. In early spring, prune back the tips of each cutting by about one third to shape the plant. This encourages branching and growth.
-
Be patient. It may take several months for cuttings to fully root and become established. Avoid tugging or disturbing them unnecessarily.
Troubleshooting Problems with Fig Cuttings
Despite your best efforts, sometimes direct-planted fig cuttings fail to thrive. Here are some potential issues and how to address them:
-
Not rooting: Cuttings that don’t root likely stayed too dry. Ensure regular deep watering and use rooting hormone next time.
-
Leaf drop: If the cutting drops many leaves, it’s not getting enough water. Check soil moisture and water more consistently.
-
Dieback: If you see the tips dying back, the plant may be getting too much or too little water. Improve drainage or water more.
-
Insects: Aphids, mites, and other bugs can attack tender new growth. Use insecticidal soap sprays to control.
-
Disease: Prevent fungus issues by pruning for airflow, watering at soil level, and using clean tools.
Long-Term Care of Direct-Planted Fig Trees
Once established after one to two years, fig trees grown from cuttings need minimal care:
-
Water deeply once a week during dry periods. Figs have deep root systems.
-
Fertilize in spring and summer with organic fertilizer or compost.
-
Prune annually in winter to shape and improve fruiting.
-
Protect from hard freezes and cold winds.
-
Harvest ripe figs when they drop or split open – typically starting in year 2-3.
-
Prune out dead or diseased branches promptly.
-
Propagate even more figs by taking cuttings from now-mature branches!
The Reward of Growing Fig Trees from Cuttings
With some simple preparation and consistent aftercare, it is possible to grow fig trees directly from cuttings stuck in the garden bed. In just a few seasons, you can have fruiting fig trees that will reward you with plump, tasty, homegrown figs. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you grew these no-fuss fruit trees from cuttings.
Beware of Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats (flying insects that look like fruit flies) can be a BIG problem. The worm-like juvenile stage lives in the soil. You won’t see it—but it eats roots…and loves fig roots. They can quickly kill newly formed roots on young cuttings.
Here’s how I avoid fungus gnats on fig cuttings:
- Start with a clean potting mix. Fungus gnat eggs and larvae can be in a potting soil, so this isn’t a time to recycle potting soil that you’ve used elsewhere.
- Isolate your cuttings from other plants that might have fungus gnats already living in the soil. (For most houseplants, they’re more of a nuisance than a threat.)
Where to Root Fig Cuttings
Pictured are young fig plants near my kitchen window. I rooted them from cuttings under artificial lights during the winter. (They would have rooted well beside a window, too.)
If you have a space set up for propagation, that’s great. But don’t feel you need an elaborate setup if you don’t.
- When I started rooting figs, it was under my fluorescent lights that I use to start tomato seedlings.
- I’ve rooted cuttings on my kitchen counter, in front of the window.
- I’ve rooted them on my dining room floor—by the window. (My wife gave me a dirty look when I lined up a convoy of little pots in the dining room!)
- I’ve rooted figs in a pot, under a bush.
When it comes to the “where,” you have options. Indoors. Outdoors. Living space. Utility area.
Let’s think about this in a bit more detail…
Lots of fig gardeners start cuttings indoors in the winter or early spring, using dormant cuttings. That’s because there’s frenzied trading and buying of dormant cuttings that goes on in the fall…and people can get started with fig propagation over the dormant season.
As I write this it’s late fall, and I have cuttings in my fridge.
These cuttings are shoots that I removed when I trimmed my dormant fig trees. I wrapped them in damp paper towels, then placed them in a sealed plastic bag.
When I fire up my grow lights in January, I’ll stick some of those cuttings in pots, and root them.
Thinking about where to start your cuttings, here are a couple of helpful things:
- Root your cuttings somewhere you’ll see them and remember to check on them regularly
- Choose a space with room temperature or warmer (the warmer, the faster!)
When you grow indoors, you can control the conditions and get a good success rate. Outdoors is different. You have less control…but it’s simple.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t grow cuttings outdoors. If I prune or accidentally break a branch in the summer, I’ll pot up the cutting and put it somewhere shady.
Even more simple is to stick cuttings straight into the garden.
(If you have leftover dormant cuttings in your fridge when spring arrives, instead of throwing them out, stick them somewhere protected, in the garden.)
Rooting fig cuttings directly in the ground
FAQ
How deep to bury fig cuttings?
Make sure the cuttings are planted deep enough to cover the lower leaf nodes, where new roots will form. Gently firm the soil around the cuttings to ensure good contact and eliminate air pockets.
When to put fig cuttings in soil?
In late March or early April, stick the cut ends into moistened potting soil or perlite/vermiculite in a pot and water deeply.Mar 1, 2023
What is the best method of propagation for figs?
Like many fruit trees, fig trees are mostly propagated from cuttings. This process involves taking a stick or twig from an existing fig tree and planting it in some kind of soil media. When subjected to the right conditions, that stick in the dirt will soon form roots and leaves.
Can fig trees be propagated?
Taking cuttings from a fig tree is the first step when trying to propagate a new tree. The best time to take fig cuttings is in winter or when your tree is dormant. This allows you to take hardwood cuttings, which are more likely to root successfully and don’t require a misting setup like softwood cuttings would.
How to plant a fig tree?
The first step is to choose a healthy, mature fig tree. The cutting should be about 6 inches long and have at least 3 leaves. Make the cut just below a node, which is the point where a leaf meets the stem. Once you have your cutting, you need to prepare it for planting. First, remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
Can you grow fig trees from cuttings?
In order to Plant Fig Tree From Cutting, You will actually germinate fig fruit seedlings but do not expect the same variety or gender as the parent crop. Planting crops from twigs or cuttings is a great, low-cost way to propagate your favorite trees. Growing fig trees from cuttings are simple and enjoyable if you follow a few simple measures.
How do you cut a fig tree?
Prepare the Cuttings: Select healthy fig cuttings with a thickness of about finger-sized. You don’t need to have multiple nodes on the cutting, as these cuttings are being rooted horizontally. You can cut the fig cutting in half, ensuring that it is short enough to fit inside the container.
When should a fig tree be cut?
The best time to take cuttings is in the early spring or late summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and have at least two sets of leaves. The cuttings should be planted in a well-draining soil and kept moist until they are established. Fig trees can be grown in containers or in the ground.
How do you grow figs indoors?
Ziploc bags (6 inches by 14 inches, 2 millimeters thick): For the Fig Pop method. Rubber bands or file bands: To seal the bags for the Fig Pop method. Grow lights or heating mats (optional): To maintain the ideal temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit for rooting fig cuttings and to help fig cuttings grow indoors.