Do You Need 2 Fig Trees? Do Fig Trees NEED a Pollinator for Cross-Pollination?
- Ross the Fig BOSS
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
One of the most frequent questions asked by new growers is whether they need to plant two fig trees to ensure fruit production. The short and sweet answer is no; for the vast majority of people, you only need a single tree to have a successful and productive harvest.
Why One Tree is Usually Enough
Most fig trees found in nursery catalogs are "Common" figs. These trees are parthenocarpic, meaning they possess the unique ability to produce sweet, edible fruit without any help from bees, wasps, or other insects.
Because a fig is botanically an inverted flower—with its blossoms sealed entirely inside the fruit—it is inaccessible to standard pollinators. Even if a common suspect like a bumblebee wanted to pollinate a fig, it simply couldn't reach the flowers nor would it want to.
Dispelling the "Two Tree" Myth
In many other fruit species, such as apples or pears, it's beneficial to plant two different varieties for cross-pollination. However, fig trees do not work this way. Planting two female fig trees next to each other will not provide pollination or prevent fruit drop.
If a fig variety actually requires pollination, it needs a male tree (Caprifig) and a specific pollinator called the fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes). Because this wasp is only found in parts of California and the Mediterranean, and cannot survive winter temperatures below 12°F to 14°F, most growers in the U.S. and Europe do not have the natural means to pollinate their trees anyway.
When Pollination IS Necessary
While 95% of growers are safe with one tree, there is a "small faction" of widely available fig varieties that do require pollination to ripen their main crop:
The main crop of Smyrna fig varieties requires pollination. Without pollination, the fruit will turn color and drop prematurely. Smyrna fig varieties will never produce an early "breba" crop. These varieties are purposely "weeded" out from respected nursery catalogues.
San Pedro fig varieties are only different from Symrna fig varieties in that they'll produce a breba crop (brebas never require pollination). The most famous example is the Desert King. This means that for growers outside of California in the US, a San Pedro fig tree like Desert King will only ever provide that first early harvest. Don't worry, these types can be highly beneficial to those in areas with mild summers.
Why You Might Want Pollination Anyway
Even if your tree is a "Common" type and doesn't need a pollinator to produce fruit, many serious growers choose to pollinate by hand. This process can lead to a dramatic explosion in flavor, often making the fruit two to four times more intense than unpollinated figs. It can also increase the size and overall quality of the harvest.
Why You Should Grow More Than One Fig Variety
While you only need a single tree to enjoy a harvest, most dedicated growers eventually expand their collection to include multiple varieties. This is not for pollination purposes, but rather to navigate local climate challenges and experience the incredible genetic diversity that the species Ficus carica has to offer.
1. Overcoming Climate Constraints
Fig varieties are highly location-specific because they are subjected to four major constraints: cold winters, humidity/rain, a lack of summer heat, and short growing seasons. By growing more than one variety, you can hedge your bets against these factors:
Cold Hardiness: In zones 5–7, planting "Cold Hardy" types like Hardy Chicago or Campaniere might give you the extra edge during cold winter nights.
Rain Resistance: If you live in a humid area, varieties like Smith or Celeste are essential because their skin acts like a "waterproof jacket," preventing the fruit from splitting or fermenting during late-summer rains.
Short Season Performance: In regions with early frosts, choosing varieties that produce an early main crop like Ronde de Bordeaux or Pastiliere ensures you get ripe fruit before the season ends.
2. Extending the Harvest Window
One of the most practical reasons to own multiple trees is to fill the gaps in your harvesting schedule. By selecting a curated set of varieties, you can ensure a steady supply of fruit from early summer through late fall:
Breba Producers: Growing varieties like Desert King or Longue d’Aout provides a "first crop" that ripens 30–45 days earlier than most other figs.
Early, Mid, and Late Ripeners: Strategic planting allows you to harvest "Early" varieties (August 1–11 in Philadelphia), "Mid-Season" varieties (August 11–22), and "Late" varieties (August 23–Sept 4) sequentially, ensuring your harvesting figs all season long.
3. Exploring a "Vast Universe" of Flavors
It is a common myth that there are only "light" or "dark-skinned" figs; in reality, their genetic diversity controls a wide spectrum of flavors, textures, and colors, usually determined by their pulp color. Growing different varieties allows you to experience distinct flavor profiles:
Berry Figs: These often have red pulp and taste like strawberries, raspberries, or even cherries.
Honey Figs: These typically have amber or yellow pulp with a flavor reminiscent of honey-like nectar and melons.
Sugar Figs: These offer a "figgy" dried fruit flavor with melon undertones.
