Propagating the fig tree is quite easy once you know how. We explain how to propagate the fig tree using offshoots, cuttings and more.
Your neighbor has a beautiful fig tree (Ficus carica) in his garden and you would like one too? No problem, just ask your neighbor for a freshly cut branch or ripe fruit and grow your own fig tree.
Growing a fig tree yourself can have some advantages. Of course, it's a lot cheaper than buying one, but don't scoff at its resilience either. Homegrown fig trees have the advantage that they have been adapted to the climatic conditions of your region since childhood.
Propagating fig tree by seeds
To propagate from seed you basically just need a ripe fig. It can come from your own tree or from the supermarket. Of course, it's best if you can find out the variety of the fig to determine if it's a self-pollinating variety. Once you have found a suitable fruit, open the ripe fig and carefully remove a few seeds. Prepare a planting tray with moist garden soil and place the seeds on it. Now all you have to do is press the seeds. The Plantura organic universal soil, for example, is ideal for this. Afterwards it is helpful to put a transparent bag over the planter to keep the humidity nice and high.
Put in a warm and bright place. After about ten days your seeds will start to germinate. When the seedlings have grown about ten centimeters, you can separate them.
Summary of propagating fig tree from seeds:
- Prepare the planter with moist garden soil
- Carefully remove seeds from ripe figs
- Press the removed seeds lightly on moist soil
- Cover with clear plastic to increase humidity
- Put in a warm place
- Germination after about ten days
Propagating fig trees from cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is faster than sowing. Between April and May, cut off a shoot from the fig tree that is about 15 centimeters long. It doesn't matter if the shoot is woody or green, it just shouldn't bear fruit. Especially in the lower half, remove the leaves, leaving only a few small leaves if there are any. Larger leaves would fall off during rooting anyway.
The cutting can now be inserted directly into the substrate. A mixture of garden soil and a little sand works best for this. Then place your cutting in a light and warm place.
A fig tree from a cutting can quickly grow into a large tree. You can find out how to plant your figs correctly here.
Propagating a fig tree from cuttings:
- Between April and May, cut off 15 cm shoots
- Choose woody or non-woody shoots without fruit
- Remove most of the leaves
- Root the cuttings in a glass of water or directly in potting soil
Propagating fig trees with sticks
If you want to grow large numbers of young fig trees, propagation with sticks is a good idea. This works pretty much like propagation from cuttings. The advantage, however, is that no shoot tip is necessary for propagation, but a branch can simply be divided into several pieces. In contrast to cuttings, cuttings are cut in winter or autumn instead of in spring for new shoots. Choose woody and strong branches from the previous year. Each stick should be about 15 centimeters long. Since the tree has already gone into hibernation at the time of pruning, there is no need to remove the excess leaves. Proceed as you would with a cutting and put the wood in a mixture of garden soil and some sand and put the pot in a warm place.
You can find more information about caring for your fig tree in this special article.