Should I keep this young LSU purple tree in direct sunlight or indirect light

It may have to slowly adapt to direct sunlight but once it's adapted direct sun is what it needs.  That's assuming it has roots.  If there's a photo then work is blocking it.

Yo0u cannot go straight to direct sunlight. If you do, you get this:



You have to start in filtered sun, and work your way up.

Where?  Inside, or outside?  Light coming through windows doesn't have the same intensity as the direct, OUTDOOR sunlight.  If you mean direct, outside, full-sunlight, then gradually introduce the trees to full sun.  If the leaves still "burn" and drop off, don't worry.  New leaves will sprout, and those new leaves will be able to take the full sun exposure without being damaged. 

Figs need as much sun as possible, but make sure the pots are big enough to retain some moisture, or they will cook.  The fig in the posted photo, should go into a much larger container if it's to be grown outside.  5-gallon buckets from Home Depot make good starter containers.  Then you need not root-prune, or move to a larger pot for at least 3-4 years.  Less work is always a good thing.

Frank

leave will burn in outside direct sun if the leaves were grown inside. however, soon it wil put out new leaves and they will adapt to the outside sun soon enough. altho, if the sun is hot enough, it will burn the leaves all the same.

For containerized trees that will not be sunk into the ground, a quick draining mix, that stays open and will not compact.  A search on this forum will yield many recipes for mixing your own potting mediums....and don't for get the Granular Limestone.  Figs hate acidic mediums.  Use any good container with drainage holes.  The buckets are convenient, and available all over from different sources, even free.  To each his own.

Frank

Hi , The fig came out of a greenhouse in full sun, it should be fine in any light from a window, Rex