Fig 'Chelsea' (Standard)Ficus caricaCommon Fig, Patio fruit tree

Grow fig trees in a sheltered, sunny position. A warm, south facing site against a wall is ideal. Figs prefer a moisture retentive, fertile, well drained soil that is slightly alkaline. Prior to planting fig trees, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole. Figs have a vigorous growth habit but can be restricted by constructing a 60cm (2’) square, open bottomed brick or concrete pit around the root system. Add a 15cm (6") layer of broken stone to the base of the pit. Alternatively plant figs in large patio containers using a well drained compost such as John Innes No.3. When growing fig trees in containers they should be repotted every two years. If figs are to be wall trained, install support wires prior to planting.

Water fig trees regularly, particularly during hot dry periods. Figs will not require much feeding except for a mulch of well rotted manure or compost to the base of the plant in spring. In particularly cold areas container grown plants can be moved to a frost free position in winter to protect the developing fruits and fruit bearing shoot tips from frost. Protect the fruits and stems of figs grown outdoors by wrapping them in a layer of straw and hessian in severe weather.

When growing figs in the UK climate the fruits will develop in spring and ripen throughout the summer for harvesting in late summer or autumn when soft. A second crop may begin to develop in late summer. Leave these figs intact - any that survive the winter will ripen the following year. Caution: The foliage and sap of Ficus carica is harmful if eaten and may irritate the skin and eyes.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £4.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £6.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.

Thompson & Morgan strives to ensure that all its plants are delivered to you in the perfect condition for planting. Sadly, the time it takes to deliver to certain locations in the UK means that we can't guarantee this, so regretfully we are unable to ship live plants to the following areas: HS, IV41-IV49, IV51, IV55-56, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR24, ZE1-ZE3