So I would really like to put about 3 fig plants on the south side of my house to help them survive our winters better. What I really need to know is, if they are right by my house, are the roots going to destroy my foundation?

I have a 30 yr old Violette de Bordeaux 24" from my house with zero issues.

I don't think fig roots will behave like an oak or maple tree. Maybe avoid it if you have shallow, older clay weeping tiles or other services buried there....

Would it be near a foundation wall with a basement? Is the basement poured concrete or block? If poured concrete I wouldn't be at all concerned regardless of the type of tree....With a fig...you're good.

Also - What Jon said...

I wouldn't hesitate at all in planting those. Happy figging!

I can believe that the roots would not invade a dry foundation.  But I also believe that a fig would invade wet spots like leaching fields, drainage pipes, etc.  In an area with periodic heavy rainfall (not San Diego) the roots might follow the path of rainwater draining from the roof, gutters and downspouts.  

My last house had a old stone foundation that seeped if there was too much rain.  Roots then worked their way in as well, between the rocks.  If the interior walls of your cinderblock foundation ever seems damp, I'd keep the figs away.

Some interesting responses in a previous post. 

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/any-issues-with-planting-a-fig-tree-this-close-to-my-house-6041105

I'm dropping two of Pino's Dalmatie trees in the ground on my south wall in front of my house this spring. I have a poured concrete basement.

Reading this and the other post, There don't seem to be actual incidents of damage due to fig roots....Only concern...Which I get...

Does anyone know of actual damage that resulted from fig roots? There are quite a few who have done this without any problems? 

A matter of what you're comfortable with I suppose...

The root did get into my PVC pipes and grew to the size of pipe blocking all water ended up digging up around half my foundation to find and fix problem, PVC drain pipes around house have holes in them the roots will find them

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Geez...Mario That's a first I've heard for figs...And with PVC pipe too.... Sound like the kind of repair I don't enjoy at all...I'm not sure it matters - but was that a known variety of fig? Sounds very vigorous 

Luckily I have no services near where I'll be planting....Just that concrete foundation wall....

Yes Joe it was a nightmare, don't remember what tree it was but I remember it started growing like crazy I couldn't figure out why, more branches then figs

Yup. I'm going to put a couple out there and see what happens.