Asked on Oct 13, 2016

Fig Trees = Cat pee smell!!!!

Kerry Ann Bruno
by Kerry Ann Bruno
So one of the first things I did when I moved into my first home was buy 2 fig trees. I'm not sure why I wanted them so bad but I did. They have been in big pots and growing great since late spring.
Now that the weather is starting to turn here on Long Island, I figured it is time to carry them inside. I have a Florida room that is currently housing them.
Well I know from them being outside, and moving here from Bensonhurst Brooklyn (every other person has a fig tree there) that they give off a cat pee smell.
I NEVER noticed this smell on my figs outside.
Now that they are inside the smell is horrible! I walk into my florida room and just about pass out and turn green, I don't know to breathe from my mouth or nose because I don't want to smell it, but I don't want to taste it either!!!!
Now our Florida room is a place of gathering, we have people over almost every week and this is where we entertain and I can't have people inside a room that smells like a horders litter box that has not been changed for 2 months.
I need to know 2 things, either is there a way to get rid of this stink from the plant, and I can keep it indoors? or what is the best way to plant it in the ground now, and winterize it. The cuties are about 3+ feet tall, with lots of branches and fruit.
I'm ready to about vomit and burn them, but my husband is mad because I have wanted a fig tree for about 8yrs, and he wants to keep them.
Any help would be appreciated!
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 13, 2016
    Question why did you bring them inside instead of weathering them outside?
  • Kerry Ann Bruno Kerry Ann Bruno on Oct 13, 2016
    i didn't know what to do with them until a few hours ago. it was a nice day so I put them out a little earlier atleast until they lose the leaves. i was afraid the frost would kill them
    • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 13, 2016
      My advice to you at this point is to keep them in now and live with the odor as moving them back outside will kill them.. Maybe place them in a room where there is some light but you will not be able to smell them..For the future do your research on growing figs.No offense but there are processes.
  • William William on Oct 13, 2016
    I agree with Janet. The odor is natural for the fig trees.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 14, 2016
    You can still plant them outside just dig enough space to fill with some good soil and mulch well. I would not keep them inside anywhere .
  • At this point keep them in pots somewhere. Next spring plant in the ground. My girlfriends in NC have fig trees and once established - will flourish. Depending on the variety, you should at least have spring and fall fruit. Check with a reputable garden store in your area for more tips for successful planting. Good luck! I love my fig trees - a thing of beauty.
  • Angel D'Amico Bauer Angel D'Amico Bauer on Feb 24, 2020

    Any update on the fig tree? Mine is growing really well and along with the growth is the nasty cat pee smell. I have looked it up and it seems only some people smell the smell, others think it smells like perfume! I can’t stand it but i cant throw it out and its too cold in Chicago to leave outside.

  • I wish I would read your comments before. I just bought a beautiful fig tree. I had not idea about the smell, and I realized about the cat pee smell just when I brought it home. I live in a cold area, so I bought the tree to have it indoor most of the time.

    I guess that I would have to learn how to live with the smell.

  • Sean Sean on Sep 08, 2020

    Mine smells like cat pee too and the neighbor’s cat is really affectionate to it when I put it outside. Now that it is 3’x3’ it really stinks up the whole house and the patio when it is put outside.