Why Your Figs are Dropping Prematurely & Failing to Ripen
- Ross the Fig BOSS
- Dec 12, 2024
- 6 min read
The most common reason for figs dropping off your tree or not ripening properly is a lack of soil moisture. Although fig trees are one of the most drought-tolerant fruiting plants, consistent soil moisture is required for ripe, plump, and tasty figs.
You probably also didn’t know that when a fig tree is propagated from seed, there’s a 75% chance it will require pollination to ripen figs. Without it, they’ll always drop prematurely and will be inedible.
That’s why understanding the different types of fig varieties and buying a fig tree from a nursery that knows its product is crucial to solving this issue. After all, would you buy a car from a salesperson who doesn’t know anything about the models they’re selling?
After reading this article, you’re going to know why your fig tree is dropping figs and how to fix it.
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The good news is, that fig trees are almost always propagated from cutting, which is a clone of the Mother fig tree that doesn’t require pollination of any kind to properly ripen figs.
The Four Types of Figs - Does Yours Need Pollination?
First, let's cover the 4 types of figs, so you can figure out if you have the right one. And keep in mind, fig trees don’t work like other fruit trees.
Planting two fig trees does not cross-pollinate the other tree preventing fruit drop.
Instead, they rely on a special wasp to carry pollen from fig to fig because the fig is in an inverted flower. Normal bees can’t pollinate them.
The fig wasp is only present in parts of California in the US. It’s very small, and can’t survive temperatures below 12F.
Lastly, you need a special male fig called a Caprifig to produce pollen.
Common Figs:
The most widely available type sold at nurseries.
Does not require pollination to produce fruit.
San Pedro Figs:
If you’ve researched fig varieties in the past, you probably came across a variety called Desert King. It’s the most well-known San Pedro type. It’s especially valuable in regions with mild climates or short growing seasons, like the Pacific Northwest or the UK because it produces a plentiful breba crop.
Figs produce two distinct crops of figs:
Breba crop: Grows on last year's wood and ripens earlier, typically 30–45 days before the main crop. This crop never requires pollination.
Main crop: Grows on new growth and depending on the type of fig you’re growing, it could require pollination to ripen.
Without the fig wasp in your area or knowledge of hand pollination, the main crop will drop prematurely when choosing to grow a San Pedro-type fig.
Smyrna Figs:
The most well-known Smyrna fig is the Calimyrna–the Turkish figs found at grocery stores.
Requires pollination for its main crop, just like the San Pedro type.
Does not produce a breba crop.
Without pollination, the fruit will not ripen and will drop.
Caprifigs:
A male fig, primarily inedible but critical for pollination.
Some Caprifigs produce edible main crops, such as the 'UC Davis Caprifig.' These are called persistent caprifigs.
Produces pollen from its breba crop (called profichi) used to pollinate female figs, improving size and flavor. Not all caprifigs produce pollen.
Figs that require pollination, like Smyrna and San Pedro types, will fail to ripen without the presence of a fig wasp or hand pollination. Unfortunately, this issue is common with imported varieties, especially those from regions like Greece, the Middle East, or India, where pollination is often required or other species of fig trees are interbred with Ficus Carica.
How to Fix This
Find out where your fig tree comes from. Was it from a nursery? Was it intentionally planted? Does it look like it was planted from seed? Contact the nursery first to find out the variety name and if they’ve produced fruit themselves. Never buy a fig tree or cuttings from a nursery that’s not fruited the variety themselves. It’s frankly irresponsible and unprofessional.
When planted from seed, you don’t know what you’re getting. A seed produces a unique new fig variety unlike any other. Remember, there are 4 types of fig varieties. Only roughly 25% of seedlings will be Common and won’t require pollination of any kind. Growers from California may have a tree in their yard planted by a bird.
In these situations, it’s best to use it as rootstock or dig it up and plant another fig tree in its place.
Related: Branching Out: The Many Ways of Propagating Fig Trees | Layering, Rooting, Grafting, Seeds & More!
The Role of Water
A lack of adequate soil moisture is the most frequent cause of figs dropping prematurely. While fig trees are incredibly drought-tolerant, this refers to the tree itself, not the fruits. Without adequate water:
The tree may enter a self-preservation mode, dropping leaves and aborting fruits.
The fibrous root system of fig trees can typically find water and nutrients efficiently, but young or container-grown trees are especially vulnerable to inadequate soil moisture
Each fig variety responds to drought in different ways:
Some drop leaves (usually lower ones) while retaining fruit that may shrivel but recover after watering.
Others drop fruit quickly and are not forgiving of dry soil conditions.
Common fig varieties, like Pastiliere, Celeste, and Saint Martin, are more sensitive to drought.
Growing Figs in Containers
Container-grown fig trees are inherently prone to inconsistent soil moisture because their soil dries out faster than ground-planted trees. It is critical to maintain consistent soil moisture. Even ground-planted trees must mature and establish deep roots to withstand drought and retain fruit.
How to Fix This
Preventing underwatered fig trees requires regular soil moisture checks, either by hand or using a moisture meter. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Drip irrigation systems connected to an automatic timer are ideal for delivering water directly to the roots, helping to avoid a missed watering.
To assemble drip irrigation, you'll need some fittings and tubing. To see a full list of the materials you'll need visit my storefront.
Water Needs for Ground-Planted Trees
Large, established trees need 1–5 gallons of water daily during warm or drought periods.
Require less water in mild spring and cool fall weather.
Watering Fig Trees in Pots
Inconsistent soil moisture is the most common mistake.
Container fig trees require more frequent watering, daily in summer.
Water daily or 2–4 times a day based on size, leaf amount, and sunlight exposure.
A tree in a five-gallon pot typically needs ¼–1 gallon of water per day, depending on conditions.
