Im Ross the “Fig Boss,” and growing fig trees has been my passion since 2014. Just like some of you have other interests, like playing the piano or baseball, I’ve spent a lot of time over the last ten years learning everything I can about this amazing fruit.
Little did I know after planting my first fig tree that it would turn into something this special. Now I have thousands of followers that I teach and help every day, and I’m directly responsible for getting many other new fig growers excited about the same thing.
If you’ve ever seen a mature fig tree loaded with huge, sweet fruit, you may have wondered – how fast do fig trees grow to reach that size? The answer is quite fast! Fig trees are one of the fastest-growing fruit trees you can grow in a home garden. Their rapid growth rate and vigorous nature is one reason figs have been prized and cultivated for thousands of years.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at just how fast fig trees grow under ideal conditions. We’ll also discuss some of the factors that affect their growth rate, and provide tips on how to help your fig tree grow as quickly as possible.
The Rapid Growth of Fig Trees
Fig trees are famous for their ability to put on massive amounts of growth each year In ideal conditions, the following growth rates are common
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First Year – A newly planted fig tree can grow 6-10 feet or more in its first year Fast-growing varieties like ‘LSU Purple’ may reach 10 feet
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Second Year – Growth in the second year may slow slightly, but expanding 8-12 feet is not unusual.
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Mature Trees – Once established, a mature fig tree grows vigorously each year, commonly putting on 6-15 feet of new growth annually.
To put this rapid growth in perspective, most other fruit trees grow just 4-8 feet per year once established. Fig trees grow nearly twice as fast.
This fast growth allows them to quickly grow into large shade trees. It’s not unusual for a fig tree to reach 15-30 feet tall and wide within 5-10 years after planting.
Factors That Affect Fig Tree Growth Rate
Several key factors influence the growth rate of fig trees:
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Variety – Some fig varieties are naturally more vigorous and fast growing than others. ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Celeste’, and ‘LSU Purple’ are examples of rapid growers.
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Climate – Figs grow fastest in full sun and warm climates that allow for a long growing season. Cool or short growing seasons limit their growth potential.
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Soil Conditions – Figs need well-drained soil and thrive best in nutrient-rich soil. Poor soils stunt their growth.
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Pruning and Training – Pruning figs to an open vase shape, staking new shoots, and training branches horizontally maximizes growth.
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Water and Nutrition – Regular watering and fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, fuels fast fig tree expansion.
Tips for Maximizing Fig Tree Growth Rate
If you want your fig tree to grow as quickly as possible, here are some tips:
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Choose a fast-growing fig variety suited for your climate. Warm-climate types grow quickest.
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Plant in full sun in a spot sheltered from cold winds. Figs need 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Prepare the soil well at planting time by amending with compost and organic matter.
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Use fabric weed barrier and mulch to keep grass and weeds away from the root zone.
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Water young trees regularly, aiming for 1-2 inches of water per week in summer.
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Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer or compost in early spring and again in late spring.
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Prune aggressively each winter to an open vase shape. This stimulates new growth.
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Stake new shoots to support them. Allow some to grow vertically, train others horizontally.
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Protect the roots from temperature extremes using insulation in very cold winters.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have a fig tree that reaches fruiting size and maturity faster than you might think possible. It’s always satisfying to watch plants grow rapidly and vigorously under ideal conditions. And fig trees don’t disappoint in that regard!
Seeing Just How Fast Fig Trees Grow
To give you an idea of how quickly fig trees take off when cared for properly, here are some real examples:
Newly Planted Fig Trees
On gardening forums, it’s common to see posts like this from excited gardeners:
“I just planted my new ‘Brown Turkey’ fig tree in April from a 5 gallon pot. It was 4 feet tall at planting. Now in September, it has grown over 10 feet tall! Is this normal? I can’t believe how huge it got in one season.”
Yes, 4 feet to over 10 feet in one growing season is completely normal for fast-growing fig varieties like ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Celeste’ planted in warm climates. When grown in ideal conditions, explosive first year growth is to be expected.
Established Fig Trees
Once a fig tree matures and becomes established, growth each year remains rapid. A post on a gardening forum illustrates their vigorous growth:
“My ‘Chicago Hardy’ fig was planted in 2015. It was 6 feet tall at planting, and now 7 years later, it’s over 25 feet tall! Every year it seems to expand by 8-10 feet no matter how much I prune it back. The thing’s a monster! We get so much fruit now I’m giving it away to all the neighbors.”
Again, growth of 8 feet or more per year is not unusual for an established fig tree. In just a few years, a small plant becomes a massive shade tree loaded with fruit.
Giving Young Fig Trees a Head Start
Some people want their fig trees to reach fruiting size as quickly as possible. Here are a couple tricks that can give them a head start:
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Start with a Larger Potted Tree – Rather than starting with a 1-2 foot whip, buy the largest size fig tree you can find locally, such as a 5-7 gallon potted tree. The more initial growth, the quicker it will take off.
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Greenhouse Growing – Planting your new fig tree in a greenhouse or hoophouse for its first year can dramatically increase growth. The warmer conditions allow it to grow vigorously all season long. Just be sure temperatures don’t get too hot in summer.
While these methods do accelerate growth, they aren’t absolutely necessary. With proper care, most fig varieties will still grow impressively fast right in your garden soil.
Enjoy Their Unique Rapid Growth
Fig trees are one of the most unique and fast-growing fruit trees you can grow. When given ideal conditions, they shoot up in height and width at rates unmatched by most other plants.
It’s this vigorous nature that makes growing fig trees so enjoyable. You get to experience just how rapidly plants can grow when their needs are met. And the reward is large crops of sweet figs in just a few seasons.
So don’t be shocked when your new fig whips grow 6 feet or more in their first year. Consider it an illustration of their glorious potential for rapid growth. With fig trees, the term “growing like a weed” is a very good thing!
A Fig’s Flavor: Grow fig trees because there’s nothing like their flavor or texture.
Its not just the size, shape, or color that can be different from one variety to the next. So can the flavor and texture. Some figs resemble jam or pastries while others are more meaty or juicy. Ive often said, figs are natures perfect pastry. Theyre like eating jam on a tree. You can even scoop out the pulp and you wouldnt know the difference from expensive fig preserves.
Growing Fig Trees in a Garden: Grow fig trees at home because you can’t find the same experience anywhere else.
Figs are picked firm and about 40 to 60 percent less ripe than what you could have picked from a tree in your backyard or garden. This is done to help commercial fig growers who have to ship their fruit over long distances.
Q: “How Fast Do Fig Trees Grow?” 5 Tips for Controlling their Growth
FAQ
How long do figs take to grow?
Do fig plants grow fast?
Do you need 2 fig trees to get fruit?
What is the secret to growing figs?
How fast do fig trees grow?
Fig trees have a medium growth rate. With proper care, they can grow 1-2 feet per year. However, the growth rate can depend on several factors, including the variety of the fig tree, the growing conditions, and the care provided.
Are fig trees easy to grow?
Many individuals enjoy having fig trees in their gardens because of their attractive leaves and delicious fruits. These trees symbolize concepts such as fertility, sweetness, and plenty. If you’re considering planting your first fig tree, you are likely curious about what it takes to grow them successfully. Fig trees are generally easy to grow.
When do fig trees fruit?
Fig Trees will typically fruit within the first few years of planting. However, specific fruit timing will vary by type, location and growing conditions. Because our Fig Trees are grafted, many of them will fruit within the first year! How big does a Fig Tree get?
How big can a fig tree grow?
A full-size fig can grow to 20 feet tall or more. Space plants 25 feet apart. A fig tree can grow up to 1 foot each year but can be pruned smaller. Trees growing in containers can be kept 5 to 10 feet tall with annual pruning. Plant figs in spring as soon as the soil is workable; plant before hot, dry weather comes or wait and plant later in fall.