Why should your fig trees have a hard time in the winter? Grow them in pots! Check out our guide on how to put fig trees on wheels.
Some of the tastiest and easiest fruits to grow are fresh figs. Fig trees are also very pretty, with their unique green leaves even when they’re not fruiting. The earliest fruit you can expect from a fig tree is usually one to two years after planting. This is one of the shortest wait times for fruit from any fruit tree. But fig trees aren’t thought to survive winter in northern gardens (zone 6 and colder), even with all their benefits.
Fortunately, when you grow fig trees in pots, you don’t have to deal with the harsh winter weather.
At Stark Bro’s, we sell fig trees like the Brown Turkey Fig and the Chicago Hardy Fig, which are both great for growing in pots. Our temporary 4″x4″x10″ Stark® EZ Start® pots are used to ship the young trees. As soon as they arrive, the trees are ready to be planted in pots. So, when the nights get cold and frost starts to look likely, you can just move your container-grown fig tree inside to a cool place, like a basement, garage, shed, or other place.
With their iconic leaves and deliciously sweet fruit, fig trees like Black Mission add tropical flair wherever they grow. While traditionally planted in the ground, figs also thrive in containers. Black Mission is an especially good variety for pots.
Growing fig trees in containers allows gardeners in colder climates to move them indoors over winter. But potted figs require specific care to flourish. In this article we’ll explore how to successfully plant Black Mission fig trees in containers.
Overview of Black Mission Fig
Black Mission is a classic fig variety that originated in Spain, It produces a prolific crop of purplish-black skinned figs with sweet reddish-pink flesh
This variety is suited for zones 8-10. In colder zones, Black Mission can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. Key traits include:
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Produces two crops per year – the main crop in summer and a smaller crop in fall.
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Cold-hardy variety tolerates some frost and brief freezes.
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Produces large, plump, delicious figs perfect fresh or dried.
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Self-pollinating so requires only one tree.
With extra winter protection, Black Mission figs thrive in containers even in cooler climates.
Selecting the Right Container
Choosing the right pot is key for healthy container fig trees. Here are tips:
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Pick a container at least 18-24 inches wide and deep for mature trees. Dwarf varieties can grow in smaller 14 inch pots.
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Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Choose plastic, wood, ceramic, or terra cotta pots, which provide insulation. Avoid thin metal pots.
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Put potted trees on wheeled plant caddies or dollies to make moving easier.
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Start small in a 6-10 inch nursery pot and repot into larger containers as the tree grows.
For Black Mission figs, aim for a 20-25 gallon container size at maturity. This provides enough room for root development while still being portable.
Soil Mix for Container Figs
Fig trees grow best in rich, well-draining soil. For containers, use a quality potting mix blended with compost.
Premixed cactus or citrus soil mixes work well, or make your own blend:
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part compost or peat moss
- 1 part perlite or vermiculite for drainage
You can also add a handful of worm castings or organic fertilizer like alfalfa meal. Figs prefer slightly alkaline soil, so add lime if needed to reach pH 6.0-7.0.
How to Plant Black Mission Figs in Pots
Follow these steps for easy container planting:
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Fill container most of the way full with prepared soil mix. Leave 2-3 inches from the rim empty.
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Carefully remove the fig tree from its nursery pot, gently loosen tangled roots, and place in the container.
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Backfill remaining space with soil, covering root ball 1-2 inches below the rim.
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Tamp down gently and water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
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Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch on top to retain moisture.
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Place the potted tree in full sun.
And that’s it – your potted Black Mission fig is ready to grow!
Watering and Fertilizing Potted Figs
Container fig trees need frequent irrigation to thrive. Here are tips:
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Check soil moisture daily and water whenever the top few inches become dry. Figs crave consistent moisture.
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Increase watering frequency during summer heat. Figs actively grow and fruit in summer and need ample water.
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Reduce watering in winter but don’t allow soil to fully dry out. Monitor soil moisture when dormant.
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Add liquid fertilizer like fish emulsion monthly in spring and summer during the growing season. Discontinue in fall.
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Flushing pots with clean water monthly prevents salt buildup. Allow excess to drain fully.
Proper watering and fertilizing keeps container fig trees healthy and productive through the seasons.
Caring for Fig Trees Over Winter
In areas with freezing winters, container fig trees must be moved indoors before frost hits. Here’s how to overwinter them:
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Bring potted figs into an unheated garage or cellar before temperatures drop below 45°F.
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Prune back branches by 1/3 to 1/2 to reduce stress on dormant trees.
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Allow soil to moderately dry out during winter months. Only water if completely dried.
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Monitor for pests like fungus gnats or spider mites and treat if found.
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Keep dormant figs in complete darkness. Cover if needed.
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In early spring after the last frost, move figs back outside and resume normal care.
With proper winter storage, you can keep your container fig trees healthy for years to come.
Troubleshooting Common Fig Tree Problems
Growing figs in pots comes with some challenges. Here are tips for troubleshooting issues:
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Insufficient growth – This indicates too little light or overwatering. Provide ample sunlight and allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Leaf drop – Dropping leaves results from under or overwatering. Check soil frequently and water correctly.
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Small fruit – Extreme heat, overpruning, and overbearing can cause small figs. Provide shade, limit pruning, and thin fruit.
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No fruit – Lack of pollination is usually the problem. Plant a second fig variety nearby for cross-pollination.
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Wilting – Drooping leaves or branches is caused by underwatering. Check soil and irrigate immediately if dry.
With the right care, you can keep your potted Black Mission fig tree healthy and productive for years of bountiful fruitful harvests!
Planting Fig Trees in Containers
Find the right container:
- You can use any kind of container, like one made of wood, clay, ceramics, recycled materials, or something else. ) just make sure there are lots of holes in the ground to let water drain away.
- Do not use heavy flower pots because they might be hard to move once they are full of soil, water, and a fig tree.
- Do not waste space! Begin with a small container and move up to a bigger one as the tree roots fill up the current one. You might start with a 5- or 7-gallon container and move up to a 10-gallon container when the roots of the tree fill up the smaller container.
- It’s possible that your tree will grow in a pot as big as 2 5 feet across, which is about the size of a half-whiskey barrel. These are heavy and hard to move, so make sure you can handle the size of container you choose for your fig tree.
For a unique growing experience:
If you want to move the container around easily, get one with wheels. Before putting the tree in the container, put it on a wheeled plant stand, which you can get at almost any garden center, hardware store, or nursery. This will make it a lot easier for you to move the container around in the winter.
After planting your fig tree in its container, water it well, then add a layer of mulch. The mulch will keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. During hot summer weather, your fig tree may need more frequent watering, possibly even daily. Observe and respond accordingly to your trees environment. Note: If your trees leaves begin to yellow, chances are it is being over-watered.
Pruning your fig tree. Fig trees don’t need to be pruned as often as most other fruit trees, but you can cut them down to a size that works for your space. Fig trees naturally grow to be 10 to 15 feet tall, or even bigger. Many people who grow fig trees find that keeping them between 6 and 8 feet tall is easiest, especially in a container. Some fig trees have a natural bush-like appearance if allowed to grow naturally. If you’d like your fig tree to have one main trunk instead of many “bushy” ones, you can cut off the extra low growth until you’re left with just one.
It’s time to move the fig tree to a cool basement, garage, or shed when the leaves start to fall (ideally before the first killing frost). The tree will go dormant there. Check occasionally during the dormant period for soil moisture. Before you water, make sure the soil is dry to the touch about 2 to 3 inches below the surface. Dormant roots dont take in much water, but the moist soil keeps the roots from drying out. Avoid drenching or overwatering your dormant fig trees; this will avoid root rot and other water-related issues.
When it gets warmer and the days get longer, take the fig tree outside every day for a few hours. This will help acclimate it back to its favored warm weather. Take it back indoors in the evenings. Once your area’s last frost date has passed, move the fig tree back outside to a sunny spot. Your strong and healthy tree will soon be producing sweet and delicious fresh figs for you to eat, cook with, and dry.
Growing black mission fig organically in a container
FAQ
Can mission fig be grown in containers?
Can you keep a fig tree in a container?
Can you keep a mission fig tree small?
How long does it take a Black Mission fig tree to produce fruit?
Do Black Mission fig trees produce fruit?
The best part about the Black Mission fig tree is that it produces two yearly harvests! The spring and the early fall. This tree loves to produce fruit! These trees also grow well in containers in the northern regions, where the winters are a bit colder. Their height is easily controlled when grown in a container.
What is a black Mission fig?
Graceful yet protective, the ‘Mission’ fig offers bountiful harvests. The ‘Black Mission’ fig is a deciduous, small to medium-sized fruit-bearing tree. These trees develop a very highly-branched, rounded form and more closely resemble a large-branched bush.
How do you care for a black Mission fig tree?
Spread a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree so that it’s covering the majority of the root zone. Feed your black mission fig tree only if you’re growing it in a container or in sandy soil, or if the tree’s branches grew less than 12 inches the previous year.
Can you grow a black Mission fig tree outside?
These fig trees grow best in warmer climates, recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 7 or 8 through 10, where minimum winter temperatures don’t drop below 10 to 15 degrees F. You can grow a black mission fig tree outdoors if you live in the appropriate climate or indoors in a container. Did you plant fruits this year?