Fig trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 10, depending on the variety. If you want to grow a fig tree, but live in a zone lower then 6, you can still have one. Simply plant them in pots and take them indoors when the weather turns cold. If you have a fig tree growing in a pot, or you have found a tree growing that you can’t dig up, you can propagate it from stem cuttings.
Gather Cuttings
In the early spring before the fig tree breaks dormancy, examine it to find stems with some of last year’s wood on them. Alternatively, early spring when the fig tree has dropped its leaves for dormancy. Find stems that are pencil to finger thick and cut them 6 inches in length with sterilized pruning shears. Take several cuttings because they will not all root. If they do, you will have some to give away as a gift.
If you’re only chance on taking cuttings is in the fall when the leaves have dropped, wait before planting until the early spring. To keep the cuttings for that length of time, place the stems in a sealed baggie and store them in your refrigerator’s produce bin.
Prepare Pots
Prepare a pot that is 4 to 6-inches deep. Fold a half sheet of newspaper until it fits into the bottom of your pot. Newspaper helps keep the soil moist and in the pot every time, you water.
Fill the pot with sand or well-drained potting soil. Every gardener has a technique that works best for him or her. Try rooting your cuttings in whichever medium you prefer. If you are unsure, fill one pot with sand and another with potting soil.
Planting the Stems
Form holes in the planting medium with a dibble or pencil. You can make one to four holes in each pot.
Some gardeners insist on using rooting hormone, while others prefer to skip this step. Because figs root quite easily, you can omit the rooting hormone. If you decide to use some, lightly dampen the cut end of the stem with water. Tap the stem to remove excess water and then dip the cut area in rooting hormone. Only coat the bottom 1/4 inch of the stem for best results. Tap or blow the excess rooting hormone away. Too much rooting hormone will burn the area instead of promoting roots to grow.
Insert one fig stem into each hole and firm the soil around the stems to hold them upright. Water the soil thoroughly. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, but not in direct sunlight. The temperature of the area should be 70° Fahrenheit. If you have a heat mat, use that to help regulate the soil temperature. Cover the pot with an old soda or water bottle that has a lid and the bottom removed. If you don’t have an old plastic bottle, place the pot in a plastic bag. You need something to help retain a humid environment for the cuttings.
Watering
Water the cuttings when the soil is very dry and the pot feels light. Fill a container with 3 inches of water. Place the pot or pots in the water and allow it to soak until the top soil is visibly moist. Remove the pot, and set it on a drainage rack to allow the excess water to drain away.
Remove the Covering
Continue growing the cutting in its covered environment until you see the stem vigorously growing. When this happens, remove the lid from the plastic bottle. Watch the cuttings for a few days to see how they do. If you placed the pot in a plastic bag, open the bag an inch. If the new growth appears to be thriving, remove the plastic bottle or open the plastic bag. Should the plants start to wilt, replace the bottle or bag. Allow them to grow in the pots for three or four days.
Transplanting
Transplant each plant into a 1-gallon pot filled with well-drained potting soil. Before you transplant them, carefully check for roots. Sometimes a stem will produce a half dozen leaves, and still have no roots. Only transplant them if you find roots. Water to keep the soil evenly moist.
