Fig trees need 1–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) of water each week. Fig trees are susceptible to water stress. This can come from too much water or too little water. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. If the correct balance of water is not achieved, the figs may drop before they are ripe or the tree may not produce any fruit at all. Fig trees are somewhat drought resistant and will survive a little while in dry soil, but soil that is too moist will quickly lead to root rot.
How Much Water Do Fig Trees Need Per Day?
Fig trees should not be watered daily, as this can lead to root rot. Instead, fig trees need 1–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) of water each week. Hold off on watering if it rains in the same week. This is because it is better to allow the soil to get a bit dry than to risk over-moistening it.
- Fig trees should be watered once a week for the best results.
- Do not water fig trees daily.
- Fig trees do not like “wet feet,” so avoid watering soon after rainfall.
If you live in a climate where frequent rainfall occurs, water your fig trees every 10 days. Cutting back on watering in these conditions provides the same results as you would get from weekly watering in dry climates.
How Do You Water a Fig Tree?
Water the ground around your fig tree evenly with a hose or sprinkler system. Because the roots of the fig tree grow out, rather than down, it’s important to avoid watering fig trees directly around the base. Rather, you should spread the water out in approximately a 6-foot (1.8 meters) circumference.
- Use a sprinkler or hose to evenly water the ground all around your fig tree.
- Fig tree roots are shallow, so avoid watering at the trunk’s base only.
You don’t want the water to slowly seep straight down around the base of the trunk. Instead, it should spread out to the surrounding ground. One of the best approaches is to let the hose or sprinkler system trickle slowly, rather than using either of these devices at full force.
Do Fig Trees Like Wet or Dry Soil?
Fig trees prefer well-drained soil, but do not like soggy soil. It is better for the soil to be slightly on the dry side as opposed to too moist. This is because fig trees are semi-drought tolerant, but will not tolerate wet soil for very long.
- Fig trees prefer moist but not wet soil.
- Fig trees are more tolerant of dry soil than they are of soil that is overly moist.
Ultimately, fig trees prefer soil that is slightly moist, but it is a good idea to make sure that the soil completely dries out in between waterings. Fig trees can become stressed from both soil that is too dry and soil that is too moist.
Can You Overwater a Fig Tree?
Naturally, a fig tree can be overwatered, depending on the situation. In fact, if you are watering your fig tree more than once a week, it is probably getting too much water. Another sign that your fig tree is overwatered is if the soil is wet to a depth of more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- Fig trees can be overwatered.
- Watering fig trees more than once a week is not recommended.
- Soil that’s wet to a depth of more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) indicates overwatering.
- Dark spots on the leaves’ edges mean you’ve overwatered your fig trees.
- Flies swarming the base of the plant frequently indicates soil oversaturation.
- Overwatered fig trees can be saved by allowing the soil to completely dry out.
If the fig leaves have dark spots on their edges, this is also a major sign of overwatering. Interestingly, the presence of flies swarming around the base of the tree is often an indication of oversaturation. Fortunately, it’s possible to save an overwatered fig tree, but it is important to allow the soil to completely dry out before you begin watering again. Then, make sure that you only water your fig trees every 7–10 days. Feel the soil frequently to make sure you’re not overdoing it. This will ensure your fig tree grows in the right amount of time.
How Do You Know If a Fig Tree Needs Water?
Fig trees that do not get enough water will develop yellow foliage. In addition, the leaves might drop prematurely. If the fruit is being produced, but the figs appear abnormally small or do not have a vibrant color once they begin to ripen, your fig tree needs more water.
- Yellow foliage is a sign your fig trees need water.
- Leaves that drop prematurely mean your fig trees are under-watered.
If the newest leaves grow smaller than the existing leaves, your fig tree needs more water. Brown or yellow edges on the leaves usually also indicate the need for more water. Under-watered fig trees can usually be saved unless you discover the problem after the fruit has been produced. At that point, you are doomed to harvest abnormally small figs.
Do Fig Trees Require Lots of Water?
Fig trees don’t require lots of water and can tolerate dry soil better than wet soil. However, they do need a minimum of one inch of water per week.
- Fig trees need 1–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) of water each week.
- Fig trees are more tolerant of dry soil than wet soil.
- Yellow foliage and dropping leaves are signs of under-watering.
- Dark spots on the leaves and flies swarming at the trunk’s base are signs of overwatering.
- Avoid watering fig trees more than once a week.
- Overwatered fig trees can usually be saved by allowing the soil to dry out.
- Under-watered fig trees can be saved before the fruit is produced.
Fig trees are an excellent choice for arid or semi-dry environments. As a Mediterranean fruit, they are used to somewhat dry soil and infrequent water. This makes them easy to care for and grow. Invest in some fig trees this year and enjoy some tasty fruit for many years to come.
