How to Grow and Care for Weeping Fig Trees in the Landscape

Don’t put yours anywhere near concrete, plumbing, sewer lines, or swimming pools unless it is fully contained within a large planter.

You should also take care not to plant somewhere that falling fruit will be a problem.

How large should the container be? One that holds about 50 gallons is a good size, though you should make sure the container is on casters if you plan to move it.

Plastic, concrete, stone, or steel are ideal materials.

Alternatively, install a root barrier when you plant the tree.

This involves digging a foot-deep trench just outside the anticipated drip line and filling it with a barrier material like high-density polyethylene, which should last throughout the life of the tree.

Other materials might need to be replaced as they break down.

If you decide to plant in a container, use a 50:50 mixture of compost and all-purpose garden soil. For in-ground planting, this tree prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

That said, it’s extremely tolerant of a range of soil types, so long as whatever it’s planted in drains well.

Weeping figs also need water regularly, but they can tolerate some occasional drought.

If the top few inches of soil dry out, no matter what time of year it is, give them a good soaking.

If you live in Zone 9, provide them with some protection so those unexpected cold snaps don’t harm them.

An area near a building where they can have south or west exposure, for instance, provides protection and additional warmth as it radiates off the building.

They also need plenty of sun. Bright sunlight for about six hours a day is about right. Any less than that and they might become leggy.

That said, if you don’t care about dense growth, they can survive in shade.

Southern Ag All Purpose Granular Fertilizer

From April through September, fertilize once a month with a 10-10-10 (NPK) granular fertilizer, like the one manufactured by Southern Ag, sold by Amazon in five-pound bags.

Cultivars to Select

Any variety of “indoor” weeping fig can also be grown outside in a suitable climate.

However, some cultivars lend themselves to outdoor growing better than others. You’ll find a few suggestions below.

Most standard-sized trees will grow between 30 and 100 feet tall depending on the environment, unless otherwise noted.

Bushy King

‘Bushy King’ is an excellent option if you want a tree that will stay small, under about 14 feet tall.

The compact growth habit combined with the overall size also makes this cultivar perfect for topiary.

Golden Monique

‘Golden Monique’ has leaves with a rippled margin, and golden and green leaves that start out lime green when they’re young.

This cultivar should only be grown outdoors in Zone 10 and up because it is less hardy than other types.

Monique

‘Monique’ is similar to ‘Golden Monique,’ but it has narrow, rippling leaves with a dark green color.

It is also slightly more delicate than many others, only suitable for growing outdoors in Zones 10 and 11.

Pandora

Lovely ‘Pandora’ has intensely curved leaves that arch so far back on themselves that the tips can touch the undersides of the leaves.

The growth habit of this variety is particularly dense.

Starlight

For a variegated variety that seems to sparkle, ‘Starlight’ is the perfect choice. The margins of the leaves are creamy yellow, while the centers are medium green.

Maintenance

Depending on your climate, the trees will generally fruit in the late winter or early spring and again in the early fall.

You can leave them on the tree for wild animals to enjoy, but know that when they fall, they make a ridiculous mess.

The adventitious roots can become a problem because they will raise sidewalks and crack concrete.

These are the roots that you see popping up out of the soil and bullying your sidewalk.

Use a saw, loppers, pruners, or all three as needed to cut away the offending roots.

Don’t be shy when you prune. I promise you, the risk of harming a tree that is established enough to destroy concrete is hardy enough to withstand some severe pruning.

When you’re done, cover the roots again with soil.

Aerial roots emerging from higher up on the tree can be left in place unless you dislike their appearance, or they start to grow somewhere that you don’t want them.

Note that this tree, like most in the Ficus genus, exudes latex when cut that can be irritating to the skin. People with a latex allergy are particularly susceptible.

Weeping figs can tolerate heavy pruning and you can shear them to encourage dense growth or to shape them into a topiary or a hedge.