You want the fig tree to go dormant, as it’s a critical part of the growing cycle. Water regularly; do not let the compost dry out. Please do not be afraid. In spring, apply a general-purpose granular feed and mulch around the base of fan trained plants, with well-rotted organic matter, to retain moisture and suppress weeds. How to Care for Potted Fig Trees. Remove about one-fourth of the branches of the fig tree at the same time that you prune the roots. As long as the potting soil is loose, well-drained and the pot has a drainage hole, it is hard to over water potted fig trees. Prune as necessary to maintain a size and shape you can work with. Make sure that the container you use has an adequate drainage hole in it. The size of the pot should be appropriate for the top growth. Table of Contents. Your plant should be brought indoors around the middle of November, once all of the leaves have fallen off. Prune  in late winter, usually March or April, before budding, or in late fall, around Halloween, or once the tree is done fruiting. Here’s what you need to know about planting figs, fig tree care and growing a fig tree indoors or outdoors in a pot. In early spring the tree will appreciate a feed with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser followed by a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost. It’s true that fig trees cannot survive outdoors in the northeast unless they are covered and kept warm, but potting plants provides a more aesthetically pleasing way around this issue. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. They grow very well and even produce figs without a lot of special attention. Keep your potted fig tree in full sun during the summer. This will give your potted fig tree time to harden off the newer growth which will be stimulated by the cutting process. Sharon Sweeny has a college degree in general studies and worked as an administrative and legal assistant for 20 years before becoming a professional writer in 2008. That plant will be lighter and easier to move, especially if stems also are pruned. Fig trees grown in containers need to be watered abundantly and fertilized with a high nitrogen fertilizer every four weeks during the growing season. They will need to be watered more frequently during the hot summer months than during the dormant period in winter. An adult fig tree should be transplanted into a 15- to 20-gallon container. Since fiddle leaf fig trees can be potted at any time throughout the year, you can keep them indoors and enjoy their lush appearance for many years. While people in warmer climates typically grow the trees in the ground – think of the burlap-wrapped ones you see in many Greek or Italian neighborhoods – it’s also possible for those living in cooler climates, where the subtropical plant does not grow, to enjoy the tree by putting them in pots. Watering the Common Fig. Fig trees are a popular tree to grow potted in the home rather than planted in the ground. A standard ficus or fig tree (Ficus species) is one that has been grown in a pot and trained to create a classic "ball on a stick" look. The temperature should be between 10 and 40 degrees. They do not flower, but you will see small figs develop in the late spring. Try not to plant in a black or dark-colored pot because it will attract the sun’s rays and possibly overheat the roots. Prune the roots of potted fig trees every 3 to 4 years. When grown outdoors, the Common Fig tree will get the necessary water from rain and underground sources. 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