When to Plant Fig in Cairns, Tropical Guide

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

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 Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane 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 Tropical

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

P = Planting window

Plant start of dry season (April-May). Figs actually drop leaves briefly in tropical dry season, providing the rest period they need.

Want a nudge when it is Fig sowing time in Cairns?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Fig included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Fig in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant start of dry season (April-May). Figs actually drop leaves briefly in tropical dry season, providing the rest period they need.

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

Tropical Growing Tips for Fig

Recommended Varieties

  • Brown Turkey
  • Black Genoa
  • White Adriatic

Key Challenges

  • Fruit fly extreme pressure
  • Fruit souring in humidity
  • Limited dormancy period
  • Fig rust

Pro Tips

  • Figs can grow but fruit quality suffers in extreme humidity.
  • Harvest slightly underripe and ripen indoors to avoid fruit fly and souring.
  • Choose varieties with small/closed eye to reduce souring.

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 tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.