Fig Tree Cuttings

figBid, of course! Using figBid’s Advanced Search, buyers can locate sellers who are close to them. This cuts the cost of shipping dramatically and, in some cases, buyers can pick up their fig tree cuttings directly from the seller.

The answer to this question is up to the individual.  But, there are some fig tree varieties that have stood up to the test of time and are easy to acquire.  A cutting from any variety of fig trees listed below will be easier to propagate and give you better results using conventional methods of rooting.  If you’re new to rooting fig tree cuttings you can’t go wrong with: 

• Celeste - Cold hardy variety for the northeast but one of the best growers in the southeast. It’s great for hot and humid locations because there’s no splitting and a tight eye. Figs are brownish/purple and may vary by location to violet and blue. Light fig flavor and very, very, sweet; like sugar cubes. Very prolific. It’s easy to dwarf this variety in a pot and keep it growing in a tight bush.
• Hardy Chicago - The name says it all; this variety has been around for decades and longer and is as cold hardy as they come. Good inground to USDA zone 6. Produces figs later in the season in a colder climate. Great mid-season producer in warmer zones. Medium sized brown/purple figs with a strong, sweet berry flavor. Great variety for potted culture. Very easy to propagate.
• Marseilles Black VS - AKA, MBVS, Marseilles VS.  Maybe slightly more cold hardy than Hardy Chicago and might be a good choice inground for USDA zone 5 in a protected location. Otherwise, MBVS is one of the best for potted culture and a reliable producer of figs.  Very prolific.  Produces medium-sized dark purple to black figs with tiny white spots and bright red pulp.  Strong berry flavor.
• Black Mission - As one of the first domesticated fig varieties introduced to the US, this variety packs a lot of history. Large dark purple figs with smooth skin and red pulp. Produces 2 nice crops of very sweet figs. Great for cooking. This is one of the few figs chosen by commercial growers because of its wonderful qualities. Commercial growers will pick the figs a little too early, though.  Let this one hang on the tree to soften and you'll be rewarded with one of the sweetest treats.  This variety does great in a pot but will perform better in-ground.
• Brown Turkey - Widely available so it’s overlooked by many collectors. The Brown Turkey fig has been around since the late 1800’s for a reason. It’s just a great fig! Cold hardy. Produces 2 similar crops. Brown to brown/purple in color. Very sweet! Easy to propagate, so this is a great variety to learn with. Great in a pot but will perform better in-ground.
• Ronde de Bordeaux - AKA, RdB.  One of the first fig varieties to put on figs for the season. Ronde de Bordeaux produces 1 crop of dark purple to black, small-sized, round figs with red pulp. Great for eating fresh, making jam, baking, drying, and cooking. Thin skin, jammy texture, light seed crunch, sharp berry flavor that lingers, and very sweet. Extremely prolific. Be prepared for hundreds of figs, even when growing in a pot.  Tight eye. Insect and moisture-resistant. Resists splitting even during times of heavy rains. Ronde de Bordeaux is a top-10 variety for potted culture.
• Violette de Bordeaux - AKA, VdB.  This is another fig variety whose history may date back to the 1600’s. At one time it was considered the best-tasting fig in the world. Cold hardy. Produces 2 crops of medium-sized dark purple/black figs with strawberry-colored pulp. 2nd crop is very heavy. The figs are juicy with strong berry flavors and a medium amount of sweetness. VdB has a small eye that resists insects. No splitting.
• Atreano - Discovered and introduced in the late 1990’s. Atreano produces 2 crops of golden yellow to pale green, medium-sized figs with unique pink to amber-colored pulp that is juicy with a pleasing texture. Strong Honey/Berry flavor with light melon undertones. Very sweet. Thin skin and very easy to bite into. Small eye. Insect and moisture-resistant. Resists splitting even during times of heavy rains. Atreano is another top-10 variety for potted culture. Very prolific.
• Desert King - If you’re in a cooler climate and can only get one or two fig trees, please consider Desert King. Desert King produces one early crop of large, dark green figs with tiny white spots and strawberry red pulp.  The figs are simply sweet and delicious!  Great for eating fresh and cooking. Vigorous grower and prolific. Very cold hardy variety.
• English Brown Turkey - AKA, EBT.  This is another cool-climate fig variety. English Brown Turkey is very cold hardy and is recorded to be growing in-ground and unprotected as far north as Buffalo, NY. Wow!  That’s cold! Brown skin with strawberry red pulp and flavor similar to Brown Turkey. Produces medium to large-sized sweet figs.
• Improved Celeste - Very cold hardy and one of the earliest to produce figs. This is definitely a top-5 pick for container growers and should be on everyone’s cool climate list. Improved Celeste comes from the LSU breeding program. Similar to Celeste in color with a bit of a longer neck. Pink/amber pulp and very, very sweet.
• Nero 600M - Cold hardy. Fruit ripens perfectly in cooler temperatures. Nero 600M produces 2 crops of black, small to medium-sized high-quality figs with dark red-colored pulp. Very juicy with a pleasing texture. Wonderful fig flavor with hints of berries. Sweet through and through. Small eye. No souring or splitting. Very prolific. This is another reliable fig variety that will give you hundreds of delicious figs every season, even when growing in a pot.  Easy to propagate and easily in the top-5 fig varieties for potted culture. 
• Strawberry Verte - AKA, Verte.  This variety can’t help but make you smile. Strawberry Verte produces 2 crops of green, medium-sized figs with deep, strawberry-red pulp. The figs are a beautiful contrast of colors. Very jammy, pleasing texture, and a wonderful, rich fig flavor with hints of berries. Sweet through and through. Small eye and a high resistance to insects, souring, and splitting. Not as cold-hardy as some others but does well in-ground in USDA zone 7.
• Green Ischia - Green Ischia is a vigorous and easy-to-root variety. Prolific and produces bowls of delicious, medium-sized green figs with jammy ruby-red pulp. Green Ischia has a nice fig flavor with deep strawberry undertones and a medium amount of sweetness. Very small eye. Rain and insect tolerant. Produces 2 crops of delicious figs. Great in-ground in USDA Zone 7a/b with winter protection.
• Smith - Heirloom variety. There’s not enough that can be said about Smith and it should be included in every fig collection. Smith produces one (1) crop of high quality, blushed purple/red with streaks of yellow to light green colored, medium-sized turbinate-shaped figs. The deep red-colored and juicy pulp has a pleasing texture and is usually filled with delicious sweet syrup. Very rich and complex flavors with strong berry undertones and an even amount of sweetness. Small to medium-sized eye that oozes a drop of clear honey when the fig is just ripe. Insect resistance and high rain tolerance. Moderate vigor with an average amount of growth every season. Not prone to splitting. Reportedly does well in-ground with no splitting and winter protected in USDA Zone 7b and below.
• Yellow Long Neck - Yellow Long Neck is a prolific variety that produces 2 crops of large to extra-large, yellow figs with amber pulp. Light sweetness. Light and refreshing flavor with melon undertones. The solid pulp interior looks coarse but has a smooth, juicy texture. Small eye for such a large variety. Very filling; one or two figs are a meal. Very vigorous and prolific.  Outgrows a pot very quickly.  Great variety for inground.
• Sal’s Corleone - This is another variety that should be in every fig collection. Sal’s Corleone produces 2 crops of roundish, blush to blood red and dark purple to black medium to large sized high-quality figs. When cut open there is a small cavity in the light strawberry-colored pulp. Very, very juicy with a pleasing texture. Nice fig flavor with hints of berries and a light amount of sweetness. Medium eye. Will develop a ‘star’ pattern split around the eye with too much rain. Split usually will not spoil the fruit and the occurrence decreases with age and will eventually disappear. Sal's Corleone is definitely a top-10 fig variety for potted culture.
• Col de Dame Gris - AKA, CdDG.  If you want to add a fancy variety to your collection at a moderate price, add Col de Dame Gris. Produces one (1) crop of high quality, purple(ish)/grey (heather purple?) colored figs. Small to medium-sized figs with thin, firm skin that does not damage easily. Easy to bite into. Deep red-colored pulp with no cavity. The pulp is dense and jammy with a pleasing texture and small seed crunch. Rich flavor with strong berry undertones and an even amount of sweetness.  Very small-sized eye. Insect resistant, resistant to souring, and very rain tolerant. Moderate vigor with an average amount of growth every season.
• Italian 258 - AKA, I258.  One of the Italian numbered figs introduced to the fig-collecting community in the 1980’s. Considered one of the finest figs in the world for taste and looks. Italian 258 has a moderate amount of cold hardiness. Produces medium to large-sized dark purple and green figs. Figs will start to turn slightly bluish as the tree matures. Deep strawberry red, jammy pulp with a wonderful and complex figgy flavor. Strong berry undertones. Very sweet. Very prolific. With a little extra care, cool climate growers will be handsomely rewarded.
• Violette de Sollies - AKA, VdS.  Cold hardy. Violette de Sollies produces 2 crops of dark purple to black large-sized, round(ish) high-quality figs. When cut open the deep strawberry red-colored pulp contains a small cavity that is usually filled with a delicious amount of syrup. The pulp is very juicy with a pleasing texture. Rich flavor with strong non-acidic berry undertones and an even amount of sweetness. Ripens perfectly with a drop of honey appearing at the small eye. Very insect resistant. VdS is a top-10 fig variety for potted culture but will split with heavy rains. Does very well in-ground with no splitting and winter protected in USDA Zone 7.

Some fig cuttings will be smaller and some will be much larger. But you can expect a quality fig cutting to be 6-10 inches long, have at least 3 nodes, and pencil to Sharpie marker thickness.

Obtain a healthy fig cutting and prepare it by removing any leaves, cleaning with soap and water, then disinfecting. Make a fresh cut on either end of the fig cutting. Plant the fig cutting in well-draining potting soil and water so the soil is moist. Keep the pot warm and the soil barely moist. Monitor the cutting. After a few weeks, you should see roots starting to grow. You can gently tug on the cutting to check if it has rooted. Once the fig cutting has rooted you can transplant it to a larger pot or outside into the ground. Care for the fig tree by providing water, sunlight, and fertilizer. Prune your fig tree to keep it healthy and promote growth.

There are many methods of rooting fig cuttings.  None of them are exceptionally difficult and most are quite easy.  You’ll have to do a little research and find a rooting method that fits your lifestyle and budget.  There are variations of 3 rooting methods to look for.  Search the internet for direct planting, rooting in a bag, and pre-rooting methods of propagating fig cuttings.

Figs are one of the easiest fruits to root by cutting. When they’re propagated in the proper environment, fig tree roots grow very quickly from a fig cutting. Some rooted fig cuttings will be ready for transitioning into the sun within 30 days while others may take several months.

The best time to root fig cuttings is as soon as possible after they’re cut from the parent tree. That is when fig cuttings will be freshest.  To ensure freshness, some figBid sellers will not take cuttings until they are sold and ship the fig cuttings to you on the same day they are cut.

Fig cuttings can be cleaned by hand with a few drops of dish soap and water. If a fig cutting is particularly soiled you can use a soft brush to clean it.

Clean your fig cuttings with soap and water first. After cleaning, it is very important to disinfect all fig cuttings that come into your possession. Properly disinfecting your fig cuttings before storing or rooting will increase your success rate. Fig cuttings should always be disinfected before rooting even if they were disinfected before storage.

Do not clip the ends of the fig cuttings.  Place the fig tree cuttings in a hot bath of 10:1 bleach solution or solution containing a product called Physan 20.  Soak the fig tree cuttings for at least 1 hour.  With a fresh pair of disposable gloves, remove the fig cuttings from the solution and place them onto cardboard to air dry.  You can turn on an overhead fan to help speed up the process.  Once the outside of the fig cuttings is dry you can begin rooting or wrap the fig cuttings tightly in plastic wrap for refrigerated storage.

Direct planting involves rooting a fig cutting directly into a well-draining potting mix medium. You can direct root a fig cutting in a nursery pot, a cup with holes, or any vessel that suits you. The cutting is prepared before planting. Once the cutting is planted you will keep the soil barely moist and supported in a humid environment. Larger growers will use a greenhouse for this but home rooters will use a clear storage bin or something similar. You may use a heat mat and thermostat to increase your results.

Growers like the direct planting method of rooting a fig cutting because once the fig tree is growing on its own roots there is no need to disturb it until the fig tree is big enough to move into a larger pot.

A figPop is a form of rooting a fig cutting in a bag. The figPop method probably has the highest propagation success rates for fig cuttings. Basically, a clear plastic bag is filled with enough moistened potting mix to support the fig cutting. The fig cutting is prepared and then inserted into the potting mix. A band or twist-tie is secured around the cutting and baggie at the top of the potting mix. The figPop is then placed in any container and kept at a warm, even temperature until enough roots and top-growth form and the figPop can be potted into a nursery container. Growers can find figPop supplies and free instructions for figPop assembly on figBid.

The benefit of propagating a fig tree cutting using the figPop method is the grower gets to see all the action.  You get to experience seeing how fig tree roots, leaves, and branches develop.  The grower is also in a better position to know when the rooted fig cutting is ready for up-potting into a nursery container. 

The pre-rooting method of propagating a fig tree consists of keeping a fig tree cutting warm and moist until enough roots form so the fig cutting can be planted into potting soil. This is probably the easiest method of propagating a fig tree cutting and the one that most growers start out with. In its simplest form, a fig cutting is prepared, then rolled loosely into a moist paper towel. The rolled fig cutting is then sealed into a 1 gallon Ziploc baggie. The baggie is then placed somewhere with a warm, even temperature until roots develop. Most home growers will place the baggie on top of a refrigerator or hot water heater. Some more experienced growers will place multiple cuttings in a container and place the container on a heat mat with a thermostat. Other growers will have specialized cabinets or closets with containers of rooting medium stored. You’ll have to search the internet for which variation suits you best.

Simply put, pre-rooting a fig tree cutting is easy.  Rooting materials are readily available in any supermarket and a first-time grower can be up and running the same day they receive their fig cuttings.

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for fig tree cuttings to root, although this can vary depending on the growing conditions and fig tree variety.

Using rooting hormone can increase the chances of success when propagating fig tree cuttings, but it is not necessary.

Yes, cutting the ends of your fig cutting before planting will increase the chances of rooting.

Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water your fig tree cutting whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch or the pot or nursery container feels light.

Yes, you can grow a fig tree cutting in water or in a growing medium like perlite or vermiculite.

Yes, fig tree cuttings need bright but indirect light to grow. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can burn young, new leaves. Right before leaves begin to develop on rooted fig cuttings some home fig growers will use overhead artificial lighting to provide the necessary light.

Generally, a small, rooted fig tree cutting will grow and be able to produce delicious fruit in 3-5 years.

The best time to buy a fig cutting is when sellers start listing them for sale on figBid.  Sales of fig cuttings will begin to increase sharply on figBid around the end of October and the beginning of November every year.

If you are new to figs do not overspend. New growers can expect to spend up to $20 for a fig cutting of a variety they like. Many fig tree cuttings are less expensive and some are much more expensive. More experienced collectors will spend much more to buy a fig cutting of a rare or exotic variety.

The best place to buy fig tree cuttings in the US is figBid.com.

The best time to take a fig tree cutting is in late winter or early spring when the fig tree is dormant.

All fig cuttings should be cleaned, disinfected, wrapped tightly in new plastic food wrap, and stored in refrigeration. Preparing fig cuttings in this manner will ensure they will remain viable for a long period of time.

If fig cuttings are prepared properly, they can last up to one year and sometimes much longer.

Yes, fig cuttings can be grafted onto fig rootstock or the branch of another fig tree. Fig cuttings are also good for bud grafting.

When you buy fig cuttings from a reputable source you can ensure the varieties will be true to type and real.  figBid is one of the most reputable sources of fig tree cuttings

Mold is part and parcel in the fig hobby but is not the death of a fig cutting.  Properly disinfecting fig cuttings before storage or rooting will help ensure that mold does not appear or can be easily treated when it does.  Mold spores are everywhere in our environment and the elements necessary to root a fig cutting are also ideal for mold.

Disinfecting fig cuttings will get rid of a small amount of mold. If there is anything more than a small amount of mold on a new purchase of fig cuttings you should contact the seller immediately before disinfecting or doing anything else. Otherwise:

• If fig cuttings have grown a bit of mold in cold storage you should disinfect them again.
• If mold has appeared on a bud simply cut the bud off with a clean pair of pruners.
• If mold appears on a rooting cutting you will have to spray the moldy area lightly with a 10:1 bleach solution or solution containing a product called Physan 20.

Never walk away from unlabeled fig tree cuttings. You will always mix them up. Make labeling your fig cuttings a habit. Label your fig tree cuttings with the variety name using a Sharpie marker or brightly colored paint pen. Mark the cutting toward the top of the fig cutting so you will be able to see the marking and identify the rooted cutting should you ever lose a label from the pot.

Always use a clean and sharp pair of pruners to cut your fig tree cuttings.

Yes, growing a fig tree by propagating a fig cutting will produce an exact duplicate of the fig tree the cutting was removed from.