A ladybird on a fig leaf

Credit: Olive titus

Green figs Ficus carica

Credit: Zeynel Cebeci

European fig tree in autumn

Credit: Luis Fernandes Garcia

Purple figs FIcus carica

Credit: Gilles Péris y Saborit

Ficus carica, the European fig tree

Of the 800 species that make up the genus Ficus, Ficus carica is the only European specimen. The common fig is found throughout the Mediterranean basin, in Provence of course, but also further afield, in Asia Minor in particular. It is mainly cultivated for its fruit.

How to recognize Ficus carica?

Ficus carica grows to three or four meters in height. Branches and leaves spread out from the top of the twisted trunk, giving the fruit tree a bushy appearance.

Its palmately lobed leaves are divided into three to seven regular lobes. They can reach 25 centimetres in length. Bright green, they turn yellow and fall off in autumn.

Ficus carica flowers are hidden inside the edible fruit. Depending on the variety, figs may be green, purple or white.

Fig fruit is renowned for its taste and nutritional value (fiber, potassium and vitamin B). However, like ficus elastica, Ficus carica contains latex. This toxic juice causes skin irritation and photosensitivity when in contact with the skin.

Our maintenance tips

Ficus carica don't like change. Once yours has been installed away from draughts, don't move it again. It could lose its leaves.

Watering

Ficus carica like to keep soil moist, but not soggy. Water when the soil surface is dry (two to three centimetres).

Water the substrate with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature.

Allow the water to drain through the drainage holes before replacing the plant. Empty out any water stagnating in the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.

Spray

Your Ficus carica appreciates a misting of its foliage and fruit. Spray it with non-calcareous water at room temperature. In addition to improving humidity, you'll prevent the appearance of pests.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Ficus carica to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Choose a pierced pot slightly larger than the previous one. First lay a bed of clay balls or gravel to optimize drainage. Top it off with a special potting soil for green plants. This will provide your shrub with nutrients, at least for a few weeks.

You can place the pot in a saucer filled with moist clay balls. This will improve the hygrometry without risk to the roots.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply a liquid fertilizer for green plants. Respect the doses indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Too high a dose will damage foliage.

Cleaning

Remove dust from foliage with a clean, damp cloth. This will enable your plant to take full advantage of the sunlight.

Harvest

Depending on the variety, fruit is harvested between early and late summer.

Pick the fruit from the tree when it's ripe.

Prune

Trim your Ficus carica, whatever its size, to make it denser. Use a clean, sharp tool. Shorten each branch by at least five centimetres, cutting above a healthy leaf. Remove dead branches too.

Caution! Sap is toxic. Wear gloves for protection.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Find a sunny spot sheltered from the wind. Prepare the ground by spading and removing stones and weeds.

While you're working, rehydrate the root ball of your Ficus carica by soaking its pot in a bucket of water.

If your soil is poor, add potting soil or compost to the bottom. Plant your shrub, aligning the height of the collar with that of the soil. Fill in with a mixture of soil, sand and substrate. Tamp lightly and water. Water eliminates air bubbles.

To limit evaporation and weed growth, mulch the base with organic matter.

If you're planting several specimens, to create a hedge, you can dig a trench rather than one hole per specimen.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Select a stem without flowers or flower buds. Using clean pruning shears, cut a fifteen-centimeter section.

Slash the base vertically with a disinfected cutter to increase the rooting surface. You can dip this end in cuttings hormone.

Remove the lower leaves and keep only the terminal pair.

Soak your cutting in a glass of water at room temperature. Only the stem end should be immersed. Change the water every three days to keep it clear.

Place your cutting in a bright spot away from direct sunlight.

Diseases / Threats

Whiteflies

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Moraceae - Moraceae
Type	Ficus - Ficus
Species	Ficus carica - Ficus carica
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Deciduous
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Tree Fruit tree
Tags	Edible fruit Rustic Toxic
Origins	North Africa Central Asia Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	8a
Leaf color
Fruit colors