Do figs grow well indoors?
Weeping figs (Ficus benjamina) are lush tropical looking rainforest trees that make great indoor plants. They like a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight and love humidity. Weeping figs also prefer to be kept in the one position and can be stressed if moved around the house. Figs have long been associated with abundance and fertility, symbolizing prosperity and good health. They are a staple in many cultures, believed to bring success and wealth to those who plant them. Plus, figs are fast-growing fruit trees, meaning you could be enjoying fresh, homegrown fruit sooner than you think!The height of the tree is not always a good indication of tree age. Some fig varieties will grow very fast (3-4 ft) in their first year while other varieties will poke along the first year or two.While you should take advantage of the sun (it’s free and perfect for plants) there are limited circumstances where indoor natural light is enough for Fig plants to grow well. A very bright window can cut your grow light needs in half, but if you want to grow lots of Fig, you’ll still need one.Watering: Fig trees require consistent soil moisture, especially during the growing season. Once established, figs can be very low maintenance and drought tolerant. During the first year, as plants become established, water regularly and mulch.Sure, a nice pothos, succulent, or snake plant might be a much easier indoor plant to care for, but we think fig trees good indoor houseplants for beginner/intermediate to advanced indoor gardeners.
How do you care for an indoor fig plant?
Fiddle leaf figs do best in bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered regularly (but not overwatered), allowing the soil to dry out between watering. They can be fertilized once or twice a month with a balanced fertilizer. The key to watering your Fiddle Leaf Fig is moderation. Overwatering is probably the most common cause of death for these plants, so don’t go overboard. Water your fiddle leaf regularly from Spring through to Autumn, around once every 7-14 days.A healthy fiddle leaf fig tree should be putting out new leaves every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Growth tends to be in spurts, where the plant will grow 2 to 4 new leaves in a matter of a few days. In the winter, it’s normal not to have any new growth.A fiddle leaf fig needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Avoid direct light, which can scorch the leaves. Bright morning light or filtered light from an east-facing window are best. Make sure all sides of the plant get even exposure to light by rotating the pot every week or two.While fiddle leaf figs can produce flowers and fruit, this rarely happens indoors. Like other plants in the Ficus family, fiddle leaf figs don’t like change. Introduce all changes gradually, or your fiddle leaf fig may drop its leaves. Regular misting provides humidity to help fiddle leaf figs thrive.For a thriving and healthy plant, water your fiddle leaf fig once every 7 to 10 days. The key is to follow a consistently moderate watering schedule. However, be intuitive about your green companion’s needs. The soil should indicate whether it needs water or not.
How fast do indoor fig trees grow?
Fiddle leaf figs can grow a couple feet every year if given the proper care. These popular houseplants can climb up to 6 feet or more in your home. Growing period – The fruiting cycle is 120-150 days. Some varieties produce one crop per year, others two. Trees have been known to live as long as 200 years. Growing conditions – Fig thrives best in areas of moderate relative humidity and can be grown at higher elevations in areas of low rainfall.Figs can also be grown as container plants year-round. The pot size will restrict growth, which helps contain the size.Figs can also be grown as container plants year-round. The pot size will restrict growth, which helps contain the size. Some varieties, such as ‘Petite Negra,’ grow well and produce an abundance of fruit in a pot as small as 6. They can be moved outside in the summertime and back inside during the winter months.Indoor fig trees typically enjoy a long lifespan compared to other houseplants. With proper care, container-grown figs can live for decades—some specimens have been documented thriving for 40+ years. While their wild counterparts might live centuries, indoor figs can remain productive for 15-50 years.Depending on the variety and growing conditions, fig trees typically start bearing fruit in their second or third year. Patience is key! Once your tree is mature, you can expect two harvests each year—one in early summer (the breba crop) and another in late summer or early fall.
Can I grow my fig tree indoors?
Figs thrive in areas with long and hot summers, though they can also be grown in colder zones if grown in containers and properly insulated from freezing temperatures or brought indoors. Established fig trees prefer to be watered about once a week. Don’t be afraid to fully saturate the soil, but as with young trees, don’t waterlog the soil. If your delight in having a fig tree is the fruit it produces, be attentive to its water needs. A well hydrated tree is more likely to yield larger crops!Two days of rain was way too much water for several of our figs, varieties most impacted were Desert king followed by Brown Turkey. Fruit has swollen and has become soft prematurely, some figs even have mold growing inside from the humidity. Don’t over water your figs!The fig tree has a long life expectancy and can live up to 100 years. It grows wild but is also found in many gardens throughout the Mediterranean as it needs the warm climate to thrive. They can be eaten fresh, dried, peeled, unpeeled, or as chutney and jam.During the summer months water beneath the tree when the soil is dry. We like to use a moisture meter with our potted figs to tell us when they need water. When it’s very hot your fig trees may need watering every day. Larger pots generally require less times watering than smaller pots.As a result, figs are drought-tolerant and many older trees will still produce delicious figs in dry conditions. Older fig trees have extensive root systems which allow them to capture soil moisture in a wide band around the tree. But even though they are drought-tolerant, they will benefit from regular watering.
How long does it take for a fig to produce fruit?
Depending on the variety and growing conditions, fig trees typically start bearing fruit in their second or third year. Patience is key! Once your tree is mature, you can expect two harvests each year—one in early summer (the breba crop) and another in late summer or early fall. Typically, figs feature two main cropping seasons annually. The first, known as the “breba” crop, appears in late spring to early summer, while the second, or “main” crop, matures from late summer to early fall.
Do fig plants need sun?
This sun-loving plant needs a minimum of six hours of bright light daily. Position your Fiddle Fig near an eastern, western, or southern window, where it will receive an even amount of light throughout the day. Choose the place carefully, as Fiddle Leaf Figs don’t like being moved often. With the proper nutrition and growing conditions, fiddle leaf figs can easily grow up to a foot or two each year! Most fiddle leaf figs will top out at 10 feet tall indoors, though. Outdoors, they can reach up to 60 feet!We know that when fiddle leaf figs live in the wild, it takes them 10 to 15 years to reach maturity. There are a lot of fiddle leaf fig plants that are between 20-50 years old.