🍎 Fig Tree
Ficus carica
fruits deciduous fruit tree
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
moderate; drought-tolerant once established; overwatering reduces fruit quality
🗺️ Zones
7–11 (cold-hardy varieties to zone 5 with protection)
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained; tolerates poor, rocky, sandy soil
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.5
📏 Spacing
10-15 ft apart (bush form); 15-25 ft (tree form); may be espaliered at 6-8 ft
📅 Days to Maturity
2-4 years (from planting); bears fruit 1-2 years after establishment
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit"]
🤝 Companions (7)
🤝 Marigold
Repels nematodes (figs sensitive to root-knot nematodes); general pest protection
🤝 Rue
Repels fruit flies; traditional Mediterranean companion; plant near but not directly touching
Groundcover suppresses competing weeds; aphid trap crop; edible flowers
Deep-rooted potassium accumulator; living mulch; fig roots are shallow and benefit from comfrey's nutrient mining
🤝 Clover
Nitrogen-fixing groundcover; doesn't compete with shallow fig roots
🤝 Garlic / Chives
Antifungal properties; repel aphids and spider mites; chives fit in small understory spaces
Low groundcover under fig's canopy; tolerates dappled shade; complementary root depths
⚠️ Keep Apart (4)
⚠️ Walnut trees
Juglone sensitivity moderate — stunting of growth
⚠️ Aggressive vines (ivy, wisteria)
Can overwhelm and girdle fig branches; compete for light
⚠️ Large shade trees
Figs need full sun for fruit ripening; shade reduces yield dramatically
⚠️ Rue (excessive)
Allelopathic in high concentration; use sparingly, not in mass plantings directly at base
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains ficin (proteolytic enzyme), benzaldehyde, and coumarins with digestive, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-cancer properties. Rich in fiber, calcium, and potassium. Traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern remedy: fruit for constipation (mild laxative), digestive health, and respiratory conditions; latex used topically for warts, corns, and skin parasites; leaf decoction for diabetes and high triglycerides. Latex is a potent proteolytic — use caution.