Man has been cultivating figs for at least 10,000 years and probably before that. During that time, many growing combinations will have been tried. We don’t need trial and error as we have all of that combined knowledge of companion planting figs to draw upon,
The benefits of companion planting are well known and scientifically proven to improve plant health and growth. Fig companion planting is an interesting one as most figs do better with confined roots. This means that we need to be mindful that companion plants will be in competition for nutrients.
Companion Planting Figs
I mentioned confining the roots this is because if given too much root space the fig will grow large but not produce much fruit. Unless you want to wait for many years until it gets established, containerise your fig and reap fruit quicker. For the purposes of this guide I’ll include as many companion plants as I can.
What Grows Well With Figs?
There are a lot of plants that benefit the health and growth of figs when grown in companion, these include:
Fig Companion Plants
Rue and Figs
Common rue is a herb that originally came from the same part of the world as figs and have probably been natural companions for years. Companion planting rue with figs will deter insect pests like aphids and fruit flies. For more information on companion planting rue click here.
Some people will tell you never to grow figs and rue together, but none give any reasons for this. I have never seen any problems with this combination but as they say “you’re never too old to learn”. So if you have had experience of problems companion planting figs with rue please let me know in the comments.
Comfrey and Figs
Much more beneficial if your fig is free planted in the ground, as comfrey will release many nutrients from deep in the soil. If you’re growing in a container, comfrey will attract many beneficial insects once it flowers.
For more on companion planting comfrey click here.
Mint and Figs
This useful herb will attract hoverflies, predatory wasps, and ladybirds to your plot. These are beneficial insects that will keep many of the bad bugs away. Always grow mint in containers otherwise it will become invasive and uncontrollable.
To find out more about companion planting mint click this link.
Stinging Nettles and Figs
Allowing a patch of stinging nettles to grow under your figs will be of great benefit and add a wild side to your garden. Stinging nettles attract many beneficial insects including ladybirds, bees, and butterflies. These are great for aphid control and pollination.
An added bonus is that due to all the insect activity, many bad bugs keep away. To find out more about companion planting nettles click this link.
Strawberries and Figs
Originally a woodland plant, strawberries will benefit from the dappled shade provided by the fig leaves and will provide ground cover. Keeping weeds at bay will prevent many bad bugs that live in weed growth and save nutrients and water. If possible grow alpine or woodland strawberries as these are most suitable for underplanting.
To find out more on what grows well with strawberries click here.
Marigolds and Figs
All marigolds are beneficial garden plants and they will grow well under figs. Marigolds keep harmful nematodes like eel worms away from your plants and add mycorrhizal fungi to the soil. Mycorrhizal fungi encourages the exchange of beneficial nutrients between neighbouring plants.
To learn more about marigold companion planting click here.
What Not To Grow With Figs
Rhododendron and Figs
Some peolpe advise growing rhododendrons as companion plants for figs I can only assume they are not in the UK. The problem is rhododendrons are very invasive and the smallest piece of root will grow a new plant. There are areas of Scotland that have extensive gangs of volunteer gardeners with the sole purpoose of destroying rhododendrons.
The rhododendron not only spreads like wildfire, but also exudes chemicals to inhibit the growth of other neighbouring plants.
For more information on how to grow figs click here to go to the Balkan Ecology Project website.
