Fig trees, whether one for indoors or outdoors, produce a limited number of figs per year. When a fig tree starts producing fruit, which typically happens after two years, it can bear between 15 and 70 figs in their very first harvesting season.
However, exactly when a fig tree produces fruit, along with how much it produces, depends entirely on the type of fig tree. While some trees produce a modest amount of figs at first, they grow up to become large trees with a high fruit yield. In this article, we will answer exactly when do fig trees produce fruit. Read on to learn when you should expect your fig tree to produce fruit.
When Do Fig Trees Produce Fruit?
As mentioned, there isn’t a specific answer to when figs produce fruit. It all comes down to the individual fig tree type. Most fig trees start fruiting between two and three years, with some needing a little bit less, while others require up to four years to grow.
5 Varieties of Fig Trees and When They Produce Fruit
Since when a fig tree starts producing entirely depends on the type of tree, here are five of the popular fig varieties and when they start producing fruit.
1) Black Mission
- Fruiting Starts at: 2-3 years
- Fruit Yield: 20-40 figs at three years / goes up to 150+ figs per year after five years
Black Mission Fig is favored by many for its rich taste and versatility. It produces purple-black figs with a deep pink flesh inside. You can eat the fig that this fig tree produces fresh, store some for drying and canning, or even make delicious jams with it.
2) Adriatic
- Fruiting Starts at: 2-3 years
- Yield by Age: 25-40 figs at three years / goes up to 200+ figs per year after five years
Adriatic fig trees are unique in regards to the figs they produce – this fig tree has the sweetest figs, which makes the fruit of this tree commonly used for making fig bars and drying. It is also fairly high in terms of yield, especially as years go by and they grow.
3) Little Miss Figgy
- Fruiting Starts at: 1-2 years
- Yield by Age: 15-30 at two years / goes up to 50+ figs per year after five years
Little Miss Figgy is among the smallest fruiting fig trees, explaining why it has such a low fruit yield, at least compared to the other varieties we’ve covered. Nonetheless, it produces delicious figs that are dark purple in appearance.
4) Celeste
- Fruiting Starts at: 2-3 years
- Yield by Age: 20-40 figs at three years / goes up to 150+ figs per year after five years
Celeste is yet another small fig tree, though not as small as Little Miss Figgy fig trees. Despite its smaller size, it is a very productive tree that can produce more than 150 figs in just five years, making it incredibly popular considering its size.
5) Brown Turkey
- Fruiting Starts at: 1-2 years
- Yield by Age: 20-40 figs at two years / goes up to 200+ figs per year after five years
Brown Turkey is one of the most popular and resilient fig trees that can grow in much of the United States, though they are more suited for states with a milder climate. If you’re looking for a fig tree to produce hundreds of figs every year with minimal care, this is a fig tree to consider buying.
Our Answers to When Do Fig Trees Produce Fruit
Fig trees start producing fruit typically around the two-year mark. Once you plant your fig tree, you likely will have at least a few dozen figs the next summer, usually between July and late August. In the following three years or so, your fig tree will more than triple its fruit yield, giving you 200+ figs every year.
You can buy a fig tree from a fig supplier like this, then plant it in your garden or in an appropriate container to keep it indoors, and you’ll start having figs as soon as the next harvest comes. If you think that you’re too late to plant a fig tree, remember this old Chinese proverb that says the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now. Regardless of the current time of the year, it isn’t late – go ahead and plant your fig tree.