There are a few different ways to propagate your own fig tree, and honestly, some are much easier (and more successful) than others. While I usually recommend the simple routes, there’s definitely a certain charm to the challenge of growing them from seed—especially if you’ve just eaten a particularly delicious fig from the grocery store!
Growing Figs from Seed
If you’ve ever sliced open a ripe or dried fig, you’ve seen those thousands of tiny seeds inside. Most of those are ready to sprout! However, if you want to grow a fig tree from seed, there’s a catch: you need to make sure you’re using a self-fruiting (parthenocarpic) variety. Here in the States, unless you live in specific parts of California, we often lack the very specific tiny wasp needed for pollination. Without that wasp, a tree grown from a “wild” Mediterranean seed might grow beautifully but will never actually produce edible fruit.
To play it safe, try to source seeds from figs grown in regions where self-fruiting varieties are the norm, or from a trusted local grower. This ensures your future tree won’t need a “wasp friend” to give you a harvest.
To get started, gently scoop the seeds out of the fruit. Fig seeds are “light germinators,” which is gardening speak for “don’t bury them!” Just press them onto the surface of some high-quality seed-starting mix. I highly recommend using a covered seed tray or a mini-greenhouse to keep the humidity up so the seeds don’t dry out. You should see little green sprouts popping up anywhere from one to four weeks later.
Propagating via Cuttings
In my opinion, propagating through cuttings is the absolute best way to go. It’s incredibly easy, and the best part? You get a genetic clone of the parent tree, so you know exactly what the fruit will taste like. If you’re lucky, you might find “suckers” growing directly from the base of the tree that already have some roots attached—that’s like hitting the jackpot! If not, taking a cutting works just as well.
You can use “tip cuttings” from a spring pruning or grab side shoots that are crowding the tree. Aim for a piece that’s at least 6 inches long. From there, you have two choices: pop them straight into a pot of moist soil or let them root in a glass of water.
I personally love the water method. It takes up less space on the windowsill, and it’s honestly pretty cool to watch the roots grow. Once you see a healthy root system, you can pot them up. Just remember that these “babies” need a little extra TLC. For their first year, make sure to overwinter them in a frost-free spot like a garage or basement. By the second year, they’ll be sturdy enough to handle the outdoors with a little winter protection!
