Growing Figs
How to Overwinter Fig Trees in Cold Climates (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Tree)
Let’s Not Pretend: Cold Climates Can Be Brutal on Figs
You fell in love with figs. Maybe it was that first homegrown bite, or maybe it was the idea of a Mediterranean tree thriving in your backyard. And then reality hit: winter. Not the “sweater weather” kind—real winter. Freezing temps, biting winds, icy mornings. The kind that makes fig trees shiver in their roots (if they could).
But here’s the good news: your fig tree doesn’t have to die just because you live somewhere with snow. With the right overwintering strategy, your fig can thrive year after year—even if you’re gardening in Zones 5 or 6. It takes a little prep and a pinch of patience, but it’s totally doable.
And honestly? Kind of fun, in a weirdly satisfying way.
Fig Trees: Not As Fragile As You’d Think
Let’s bust a myth right away: figs hate the cold. Right? Well… sort of. Figs (Ficus carica) are Mediterranean by nature, sure—but they’re not complete wimps. Many varieties can survive temperatures down to about 15°F once they’re dormant. Some hardy types like ‘Chicago Hardy’ and ‘Celeste’ can even push lower with protection.
The real issue is the freeze-thaw cycle and extended cold snaps that kill back young growth or, worse, the entire tree.
That’s why overwintering is less about babying the plant and more about giving it a stable, safe spot to sleep through the worst of winter.
Container Grown? You’ve Got Options
If your fig lives in a pot—first of all, smart move. It makes things so much easier when winter comes knocking.
Here’s what works best:
🪵 Garage or Basement Method
This one’s a classic. As soon as the leaves fall and the tree is clearly dormant (usually around first frost), move the pot into an unheated garage, shed, or basement.
A few things to remember:
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Temps should stay above 20°F but below 45°F—think cool, not cozy.
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Water it very lightly maybe once a month. Dormant trees don’t drink much.
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No light required. Seriously, it can sit in total darkness and be just fine.
In spring, bring it out gradually as temps warm, starting with indirect sunlight to avoid shocking the poor thing.
🧼 Wrapped and Buried Method (for the hardcore)
If you don’t have indoor space—or just love a good backyard science experiment—you can go old-school.
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Wrap the pot with insulation: think burlap, blankets, straw, or even bubble wrap.
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Add a plastic bag over the top to keep moisture out (but leave air holes).
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Then bury the whole pot in a trench. Like, yes, dig a hole for it.
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Cover with leaves, mulch, and a tarp.
It’s extreme, but it works. Especially in places where the ground freezes but not to Arctic depths.
Got In-Ground Figs? Wrap That Baby Like a Burrito
If your fig’s planted directly in the ground, you’ll need to do a little more to keep it safe. But again—totally doable.
Here’s the general gist:
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Wait for dormancy. After the first few frosts, the tree should have dropped its leaves and gone to sleep.
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Tie the branches inward. Gently pull the branches together and tie them loosely to reduce the surface area exposed to cold air.
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Wrap the trunk. Use a layer of breathable material like burlap, then wrap again with plastic or tarp to keep moisture out.
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Mulch like crazy. Pile leaves, straw, wood chips, or even compost around the base. The deeper the mulch, the more insulation you get.
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Build a fig hut (optional but fun). Some folks create makeshift teepees or boxes with stakes and insulation—like little fig hotels. It’s not overkill in seriously cold spots.
And remember, don’t unwrap your fig too early. Late frosts can still zap fresh buds.
Let’s Talk Cold-Hardy Varieties
If you’re in a colder region and haven’t planted yet, consider fig types that laugh in the face of winter.
A few fan favorites:
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Chicago Hardy – Lives up to its name. Fruity, reliable, and rugged.
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Celeste – Sweet flavor, compact habit, and good cold resistance.
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Brown Turkey – Easygoing and handles the chill decently.
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Desert King – Great for cooler summers and tolerates mild winters.
You’ll still want to protect them, but they’ll give you a better fighting chance.
Honestly? It’s Worth It
Yes, overwintering takes a bit of effort. You’ll probably end up with dirt on your pants, maybe a few scratches from branches, and definitely a neighbor or two asking, “What the heck are you building?”
But when spring rolls around and those buds start to swell again? You’ll remember exactly why you did it.
Figs grown at home taste better. They feel better. And if that means wrapping your tree like it’s headed to the airport in February? So be it.
Quick Winter Fig Survival Checklist
Just to keep things simple:
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✅ Wait for dormancy (usually after a few frosts)
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✅ For containers: store in unheated garage/basement or insulate + bury
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✅ For in-ground trees: tie, wrap, mulch, and maybe build a shelter
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✅ Don’t water much during dormancy
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✅ Don’t unwrap too early in spring
Final Thought: Figs Are Tough—And So Are You
People say you can’t grow figs in cold places. But those people probably haven’t tried—or didn’t know how.
With the right winter strategy, your fig tree can live a long, delicious life—even under a blanket of snow.
So go ahead—wrap it, mulch it, protect it like the treasure it is.
Come summer, when you’re picking sun-warmed figs straight off the branch, you’ll know exactly why it was all worth it.
