When to Plant Fig in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Plant June to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is June.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Fig guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Fig

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

One of the easiest fruit trees for Australian home gardens. Tough, drought-tolerant once established, and self-fertile (common fig varieties don't need pollination or a wasp). Most varieties produce two crops: 'breba' crop on last year's wood in early summer, and main crop on current season's growth in late summer/autumn. Can be kept small by pruning or grown as a large spreading tree. Extremely productive. A single tree can produce 20-50kg of fruit per year.

Best Planting Window for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - P P P - - - -

P = Planting window

Plant winter (June-August) when dormant. Bare root available.

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How to Grow Fig in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant winter (June-August) when dormant. Bare root available.

Soil
Tolerates most soils including clay and limestone. Prefers well-drained but surprisingly adaptable. Restricting root space (against a wall, in a pot, or with buried barriers) can increase fruit production.
pH Range
6.0-8.0 (very tolerant of alkaline soils)
Sunlight
Full sun essential for sweetest fruit. At least 8 hours direct. Heat-loving. Benefits from reflected heat off walls and paving.

Companion plants: Rue (traditional companion), Comfrey, Strawberry

Avoid planting near: Plumbing/foundations (aggressive root system), Other fruit trees it will shade

Subtropical Growing Tips for Fig

Recommended Varieties

  • Black Genoa
  • Brown Turkey
  • White Adriatic
  • Preston Prolific
  • White Genoa

Key Challenges

  • Fruit fly
  • Fig rust in humid autumns
  • Fruit souring in wet summers

Pro Tips

  • Excellent fig zone. SEQ produces outstanding figs.
  • Black Genoa is the best all-rounder for Brisbane.
  • Espalier against a north or west-facing wall for best fruit quality.

Harvesting Fig

When ready: Neck droops (fruit hangs down instead of pointing up). Skin colour deepens (variety-specific). Slight softness when gently squeezed. Drop of nectar at the eye. Skin may crack slightly at base of neck.

How to harvest: Twist and pull gently upward. Ripe figs detach easily. Wear gloves. Fig sap (latex) irritates skin. Handle gently. Ripe figs bruise easily.

Where to next

What fig costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your fig: Birds (Bowerbirds, Cockatoos, Pigeons).

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Common Questions About Fig

When do you plant fig in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.