How to Grow Figs in Australia
Container growing, two crops per year, and variety picks for every region
Figs are one of the easiest fruit trees you can grow in Australia. They handle poor soil, drought, and neglect better than almost any other fruit. A well-placed fig tree will produce abundant fruit for decades with minimal care. They also grow brilliantly in large pots, making them possible even on balconies and courtyards.
This guide covers the best fig varieties for Australian gardens, how to get two crops per year, container growing, and regional planting times.
When to Plant in Your Region
Black Genoa
The most popular fig in Australia. Large, dark purple fruit with deep red flesh. Rich, sweet flavour. Very productive and reliable in all but the coldest regions. The benchmark variety for home gardens.
Brown Turkey
Hardy variety that handles cold better than most figs. Medium-sized, brown-skinned fruit with amber flesh. Less sweet than Black Genoa but very reliable. Good choice for Melbourne, Canberra, and Hobart.
White Adriatic
Green-skinned fig with strawberry-red flesh. Exceptionally sweet and excellent for drying. Self-fertile, heavy cropper. Does well in hot, dry climates (Perth, Adelaide, inland regions).
Preston Prolific
Australian-bred variety with green to golden fruit and sweet amber flesh. True to its name, it produces heavily. Good disease resistance. Compact growth suits smaller gardens.
White Genoa
Large, yellowish-green fruit with sweet, pale flesh. Excellent fresh. Less vigorous than Black Genoa, which makes it easier to manage. Reliable in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.
Two Crops Per Year
Many fig varieties produce two crops in a season in warm Australian climates:
- Breba crop (early summer): Fruit forms on the previous year's wood. This crop is usually smaller and the figs are larger. Not all varieties produce a reliable breba crop.
- Main crop (late summer to autumn): Fruit forms on the current season's new growth. This is the bigger, more reliable crop.
Black Genoa and Brown Turkey produce reliable breba crops in warm regions. In cooler climates, the breba crop may not ripen before cold weather arrives.
Container Growing
Figs are among the best fruit trees for containers. In fact, restricting the roots actually increases fruit production and controls tree size.
- Use a pot at least 50 cm wide and deep, with good drainage
- Premium potting mix with slow-release fertiliser works well
- Water deeply when the top 3 cm of mix dries out
- Feed monthly with liquid fertiliser during the growing season (spring to autumn)
- Repot every 2 to 3 years, trimming roots by one-third
Container figs can be moved to sheltered spots in winter (important in frosty areas) and positioned for maximum sun in summer.
Pruning
Figs fruit on new growth and (for breba crops) on the previous year's wood. Pruning goals are to keep the tree at a manageable size and let light into the canopy.
- Prune in winter while the tree is dormant
- Remove dead, crossing, and inward-growing branches
- Keep the centre open for light and air circulation
- Tip-prune long branches to encourage branching and more fruiting points
- Fig trees respond well to hard pruning if they get too big
Common Problems
Fruit fly
A serious pest in subtropical and tropical regions. The soft, sweet fruit is highly attractive to Queensland fruit fly. Use exclusion netting, traps, and pick ripe fruit promptly. Do not leave fallen fruit on the ground.
Birds
Birds will beat you to ripe figs. Netting the whole tree is the most effective solution. For large trees, net individual branches or accept sharing some of the crop.
Rust
Brown spots on leaves, causing premature leaf drop. More common in humid climates. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves. The tree usually recovers fine the following season.
Track Your Fig Growing
Add figs to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for pruning, feeding, and harvest time.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant fig trees in Australia?
Plant bare-rooted fig trees in winter (June to August) while they are dormant. Container-grown figs can be planted any time but establish best in autumn or spring. Figs grow in all Australian mainland climates.
How long do figs take to produce fruit?
A fig tree planted from a container or bare-rooted stock typically produces its first fruit in 1 to 2 years. Full production takes 3 to 5 years. Container-grown figs often fruit in their first season due to root restriction.
Can I grow figs in pots?
Figs are one of the best fruit trees for container growing. Root restriction actually increases fruiting. Use a pot at least 50 cm wide, good potting mix, and water regularly. Most varieties stay manageable in containers.
Do fig trees need a pollinator?
No. All common Australian fig varieties are self-fertile and do not require cross-pollination. A single tree will produce fruit on its own.
See also: Figs in the Plant Library
