Ficus carica – Hardy Fig

General Information: One of the first cultivated trees in the world.  A productive and ornamental fruit tree. Depending on climate, growth may be vigorous in warm regions (Zones 8-11), or medium-paced in colder ones (Zones 5-7). Forms thickets in warm regions. In colder regions, this plant will grow as a 10-15 ft tall shrub or dwarf tree. In warmer regions, the plant will reach 15-30 ft tall. Attractive foliage and edible fruit. Smooth silvery bark forms on large trees. The fruits and leaves have been used medicinally for millennia.

Edible Qualities: Figs are nutritious and rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron. The fall-ripening fruits can be eaten fresh off the tree, dried, made into preserves, cut up in various dishes, used as an ingredient for fresh smoothies, added to cheese plates or dips – the possibilities are endless! The leaves may also be eaten, similarly to Grape Leaves, as a steamed wrapping for various dishes. A lesser crop may appear in spring on new wood in warmer areas.

Cultivation Details: Figs are self-fertile. Only one plant is necessary for fruit set. Drier upland soils are preferable for fruit production, especially in warmer areas. Figs grown near water sources will expend most of their energy on vegetative growth and little on fruit production. Fruits take roughly 2 months to mature. Our selections ripen in late summer and fall on new wood. For easiest access to fruits, prune trees back to 10′ each year. We recommend that growers in colder climates plant Fig trees along a south-facing wall. A southeast or west-facing wall with no light obstructions can also be sufficient, however the plants should be protected from harsh winter winds in these cases. Cold region growers may consider keeping their Figs in containers and moving them indoors to a cool environment such as a garage, breezeway, or basement once dormant. In cases where this is not possible, some growers will keep them in the ground, give them a hard pruning in fall, and bury them 1 foot deep in wood chips. We have also heard of urban Fig growers in Detroit who keep their Figs outdoors in containers year-round. In fall they dig a shallow trench 6-8″ deep, tip the containers and lay their pruned trees down in them horizontally, and apply a 1-foot deep layer of wood chips for insulation. They are dug out in early Spring. This technique reportedly encourages maximum fruit production on small, well-pruned trees. Such forms of protection will encourage earlier growth and ensure fruit production at the northern limits of this plant’s range.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full to 1/2 day sun. Requires full sun during fruiting period. Tolerates most soil types, especially nutritionally-poor soils and heavy clays. Succeeds in most soil conditions, tolerating both moisture and dry soils. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.