Figs can be easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. You can grow a variety of fig trees from a ripe fig or a fig tree, which can be transplanted into the garden after just two to three years of growth.
How to propagate a fig?
Figs are easily propagated, either by seeds from a ripe fig planted in potting soil, or by cuttings (woody shoots, green shoots or head cuttings) from an existing fig tree. Propagation ideally takes place in spring or early summer.
Propagation by seeds
Fig seeds can be taken from a commercially available fruit or from a fruit you have harvested yourself. Cut open the ripe fig, dry the tiny stone fruits well on kitchen paper and put them in potting soil. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and water well.
Humid, warm climate for quick germination
In the warm, humid climate of a greenhouse for the windowsill (€69.00 on Amazon), the small figs germinate particularly quickly. After two to three months and when they have reached a height of around ten centimeters, the plants are pricked out. Always ensure there is enough moisture and an evenly warm climate, because cold and lack of water can permanently damage the sprout.
In summer, a sheltered location in the garden is ideal for propagating figs. The small fig trees grow quickly in front of a sheltered house wall in a mild summer.
Propagation by cuttings
The propagation of figs is easy with:
- Cuttings cut from the previous year's woody shoot
- green shoots
- Head cuttings (cut off shoot tip or stem parts without crown)
The best time for breeding is spring and early summer.
You can plant the freshly cut cuttings directly in a small pot or alternatively let them grow roots in a glass of water. However, when propagating in a glass, do not wait too long before moving. The sprout only forms water roots in the glass, which have to adapt to the soil when transplanted. This process robs the plant of its strength and it thrives more slowly.
In spring, propagation through cuttings is ideal. Insert the approximately 30 centimeter long cuttings, which you cut from an already woody branch below one eye, into a flower pot filled with a mixture of sand and soil. Seal the pot tightly with a clear plastic bag to help the cutting take root in this warm and sheltered climate.
Cuttings often lose leaves. This alone is not a reason to view the cultivation as a failure. However, if the trunk becomes shriveled and feels soft and slippery under the bark, the propagation has unfortunately not been successful.
A fig sprout – popular holiday memory
If you want to take a fig home from vacation and cultivate it, remove the leaves from a fig cutting and wrap it with a damp handkerchief. Store the cutting in a transparent drink bottle filled with water and screw it on tightly. The seedlings grow excellently in their prison and after a short time both roots and the first leaves appear. Transplant the cutting into a suitable container and dream of the most beautiful days of the year when you look at the small plant.
Tips & Tricks
Cuttings should root particularly quickly if they are inserted and planted in a large potato.
