How to care for fig plant in winter

14 years ago

I have a small potted fig plant (about 3 ft tall) that I am bringing into my garage for the winter. My garage does not go below freezing in winter.

Should I wrap the entire plant in cloth of some sort? Do I need to keep it watered during the winter?

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

gorgi
14 years ago
Since you garage does not go below freezing, I definetly
will bother covering them.
In my (slightly-emergency-heated) NJ garage, my min/max thermometer recorded a min of (safe) ~20*F.
My figs were not covered and I had no problems.
Some say figs can tollerate as low as 10-15*F.

I would also worry about the high-end temp.
It should not exceed 40-45*F for long; else they
may break dormancy.

Every 1-2 months, check the soil and make sure it is not
BONE dry; water/add-snow if neccesary.
gorgi
14 years ago
Ooops; Correction:
Since you garage does not go below freezing, I definetly
will bother covering them.
= Since your garage does not go below freezing, I definetly
will NOT bother covering them.
Related Discussions
How do I take care of my water plants this winter?
Q
Comments (3)
Yes, we need to know what types of plants you have in order to help.:) I have overwintered a whiskey barrel in the past. I cut the hardy plants back and dropped them in the bottom. Get yourself a completely submersible titanium aquarium heater (don't use the glass ones!) rated for the number of gallons of the barrel. Stick it in the barrel and plug it in. It will keep the barrel from freezing. It won't heat it up warm but it will keep it warm enough to prevent freezing.
...See More
how to take care over winter?
Q
Comments (3)
The need for a period of chill is not determined necessarily by species. There are several species of trees that are capable of growing in tropical areas with no period of dormancy and in temperate parts if the world, protected by dormancy and subsequent quiescence until temperatures increase to levels that stimulate growth. Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm) comes to mind immediately as a tree similar to F carica in that regard. Both cold-hardiness and the need for a period of dormancy is a genetic trait in carica, not an 'across the board' species trait. Those trees evolved in southern provenances that grow and fruit well near the equator, along with their vegetatively cloned offspring, are unlikely to grow/fruit well or survive freezing winters in a colder, more northerly provenance. Conversely, those trees and clones that grow and fruit well in a more northerly provenance, when moved nearer the equator are unlikely to grow or fruit well and likely to go into decline and eventually die if deprived of a cold rest. Al
...See More
How to care for herb plants in winter?
Q
Comments (5)
I'm a careless gardener. A friend overwintered her rosemary until it got so big she decided to throw it out. Her secret, I think, is that she places it next to a humidifier. Rosemaries can't get dry or they don't recover. I may have finally found a hardier specimen which has now survived two winters indoors. Last winter in our new old house, I kept it on the back of the toilet, next to a north window, where it got extra humidity when we took showers. The prostrate rosemary survived the winter near a south window in a cool second floor room. Mints usually live forever although I've lost fancy varieties. Sage is hardy outdoors but the colored varieties don't seem to be hardy. I had better luck last winter with a tri-color sage in a sunnier location in better soil. Years ago a great herb gardener told me that perennial plants have to go thru a dormant period outdoors in the cold. This does not apply to tender perennials such as rosemary which must be kept in temps higher than 20 deg. I wintered tp lemon verbena indoors. It still had to go thru a dormant period when it lost all its leaves but in the spring it went outdoors and revived. Also be aware that some plants we think of as annuals such as parsley are really biannuals. The second year they will go to seed. I am just renewing my acquaintance with herbs and gardening. I seem to recall that one of the best books about growing herbs was Park's Succes With Herbs.
...See More
Variegated Tapioca plant winter care
Q
Comments (9)
The people behind us have a couple of these, and now they are growing on our side of the fence. We allowed two of them to grow inground to shade/hide the trampoline. We prune them the same time we prune our crepe myrtles (around Valentines Day) and pretty much the same way. They die out first freeze and come back in the Spring. The best thing about these trees is they are easy to manage, and if you do not want it anymore, it is very easy to chop down. They make lots of babies, so there is always another one you can let grow again and plant where you want. Be sure to look at them after a rain. They look like they are covered with diamonds. Also, they grow VERY fast. Mine are about 10 feet tall. Overpruning will kill them.
...See More
rocca
14 years ago
An unheated garage is an excellent place to store fig trees. I am in the Boston area and have used a garage, tool shed and even a bulkhead to store my trees for the winter. It's true they can survive temps into the 20's and even teens for some varieties. Outdoors it is the wind that is their worst enemy as it dries them out. Has anyone in the northeast had any experience with leaving them in the ground for the winter? I'm thinking of trying it this year with a couple of trees. I plan to spray them with wilt-pruf and hope for the best. This mild weather so far is inspiring me to try it.
ejp3
14 years ago
I am not as far north as you but I never cover my trees (Long Island N.Y.). The key is to start with cold hardy varieties and have a good spot such as a southern exposure with preferably the house blocking the north wind. I dont know anything about wiltproof but I am old school, I dont spray them with anything I wouldnt spray on myself.
jsfab
14 years ago
Should I have bothered to bring my fig tree indoors (home temps of 60-65 degrees plus) or should I have left it out in a garage or in the basement? It had most of its leaves until I brought it in two days ago. Now it has none. Have I shocked it too much to take it back outside?
ksap
14 years ago
jsfab, it's ok if it dropped it's leaves, that's what the fig trees do when it gets cold. It's not shocked.

rocca, I'm in South Jersey, and I have two fig trees that have been in the ground for 4 years. The biggest tree has shelter from the wind in the winter, that has been amazing. I do wrap them in the winter, but inevitably some branches die back anyway. The main trunk and lots of new branches are fine. The smaller tree is on a corner and exposed to lots of wind in the winter, but I will do a better job with wrapping this year and see if it fares ok. If I built a structure around it, it would probably do much better. I am going to have to prune them back a lot this year because the big one is huge.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Common Fig

By Becky Harris

A full form and delicious fruits make this Middle Eastern tree a favorite in gardens around the world

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS Play Up Some Fiddleleaf Figs for a Lively Indoor Tune

By creative jewish mom.com

Strike a dramatic chord in a minimalist scene or a country note in a rustic setting — fiddleleaf fig plants harmonize with any style

Full Story

WINTER GARDENING 10 Native Wildflowers to Beautify Your Winter Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

They stand strong in wind, feed wildlife and are easy to grow. But you may want to add these plants for their looks alone

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: How to Care for American Goldfinches

By Habitat Network

The American goldfinch is a bright-in-the-summer visitor and one of the only vegetarian songbirds. Here's how to give them a healthy habitat

Full Story

LIGHTING House Hunting? Look Carefully at the Light

By Alison Hodgson

Consider windows, skylights and the sun in any potential home, lest you end up facing down the dark

Full Story

107

HOUSEPLANTS Indoor Winter Gardens for Cheerier Days

By Laura Gaskill

Bring plants inside for drab-days mood boosting — not to mention cleaner indoor air and protection for your greenery

Full Story

EXTERIORS Care and Training for a Vine-Covered Home

By Laura Gaskill

Love the look but don’t want the ruin? Learn how to have vine-draped walls without all the cracks and crumbling

Full Story

WINTER GARDENING Look Beyond Plants for a Wonderful Winter Garden

By Le jardinet

Use sculptures, fences and other structures to draw the eye to a bare-bones landscape

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS See How Fiddleleaf Fig Trees Can Liven Up Your Decor

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

The tropical houseplant with big green leaves adds a cheerful and striking design element to rooms

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere

Full Story

How to care for fig plant in winter

Comments (6)

gorgi

gorgi

Related Discussions

rocca

ejp3

jsfab

ksap

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US