Why Are My Figs Splitting Open on the Tree?

Figs that split open while still on the tree — revealing the pink or red interior before they are fully ripe — are not only wasted as fruit but also create entry points for wasps, vinegar flies and fungal rots that can damage the surrounding figs and spread disease. Fig splitting is a well-known problem and its cause is well understood, which means it is also something you can largely prevent with the right management approach.

The mechanism of splitting

When a developing fig's skin has been conditioned by a period of dry weather, it loses some of its elasticity and becomes less able to expand rapidly. If the roots then receive a sudden large dose of water — from a heavy rainstorm after a dry period, or from an enthusiastic deep watering after the grower notices the soil is dry — the internal pressure increases rapidly and the inelastic skin splits along its weakest point. The split is usually located at the bottom or side of the fig, where the skin is thinnest.

How to prevent splitting with consistent watering

The solution is to avoid extreme swings in soil moisture. Water little and often rather than deeply and infrequently. For container figs, check the compost every day or every two days in warm weather and water before it dries out completely. For ground-planted figs, a thick mulch of compost or wood chip around the root zone helps buffer moisture levels, slowing drying after rain and reducing the shock of sudden heavy watering. Drip irrigation on a timer is ideal for container figs during peak summer.

Remove affected figs promptly

Any fig that has already split open should be removed immediately. The exposed interior ferments very quickly and attracts wasps and vinegar flies in large numbers, which then damage surrounding intact figs. Splitting also allows grey mould (Botrytis) to take hold. Remove split figs cleanly and dispose of them away from the tree — do not leave them on the ground beneath.

Harvesting at the right moment

Figs that are approaching ripeness but are in danger of splitting during a forecast period of rain can often be harvested a day or two early and left to finish ripening indoors in a warm spot. A fig picked when it is just beginning to soften at the base will complete ripening at room temperature over one to two days without splitting.

Variety differences

Some fig varieties are more prone to splitting than others, particularly varieties with thin skins. Brown Turkey, one of the most widely grown UK varieties, has a medium-thick skin and is reasonably resistant to splitting under normal conditions. If splitting is a persistent problem despite good watering management, the variety may be a factor.