edenhana

Fig

An easy-care, drought-tolerant deciduous tree that fruits its first proper crop 2-3 years after planting. Common NZ fig varieties are parthenocarpic (they set fruit without the wasp pollination some Mediterranean varieties need), so a single tree is fine. Left unpruned a fig can eventually reach considerable size, but regular pruning easily keeps it to a manageable 3-4m and improves both fruit access and sun penetration. Hardy to sub-zero temperatures once dormant, but a late frost can damage soft spring growth or maturing fruit.

Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
400cm
Harvest
Ready in about 2-3 years
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
10-20kg of fruit per mature tree per season (two crops in warmer regions)
Cost to grow
~$25 NZD
Grocery value
~$150 NZD
Mature height
4m
Evergreen
No, deciduous
Common diseases
Fig rust, Root rot (in poorly drained soil)
Common pests
Aphids, Scale insects, Spider mites

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: September-November. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.

Growing stages

  1. Planting & establishmentFirst few months

    • Water while young roots settle in, even though this becomes a drought-tolerant tree once established
    • Hardy to sub-zero temperatures once dormant, but a late frost can damage soft spring growth
    • Common NZ varieties are parthenocarpic and set fruit without pollination, so a single tree is fine

  2. Early growthFirst 1-2 years

    • Watch for aphids, scale insects and spider mites on new growth
    • Prune to keep the tree to a manageable 3-4m; left unpruned it can grow considerably larger
    • Root rot can develop in poorly drained soil

  3. Flowering & fruiting

    • Fig flowers are enclosed inside the immature fruit, so there's no showy bloom to protect from spray
    • Warmer regions can produce two crops a season; cooler regions typically get one
    • A late frost damaging soft spring growth can also affect the developing first crop

  4. MaturityFirst proper crop 2-3 years after planting

    • Established trees yield 10-20kg of fruit per season (two crops in warmer regions)
    • Fig rust can appear on foliage in humid conditions, particularly late in the season
    • Root rot risk continues in poorly drained soil even on mature trees

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