Also known as Fig · 93 gardener saves
Ficus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ficus, the genus most gardeners know as fig. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Ficus varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFig Tree Brown Turkey
Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
#2 most savedImproved Brown Turkey Fig
Ficus carica 'Improved Brown Turkey'
#3 most savedChicago Hardy Fig
Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy'
Champagne Fig
Ficus carica 'Champagne'
Celeste Fig
Ficus carica 'Celeste'
Fignomenal Fig
Ficus carica 'Fignomenal'
Little Miss Figgy Dwarf Fig
Ficus carica 'Little Miss Figgy'
Creeping Fig
Ficus pumila
How to grow Ficus
What the Ficus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ficus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Shape tree and remove dead, crossing, or weak branches in late winter.
- FertilizeMarch and June100% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
- HarvestJuly–September88% of varieties
Pick fruit when soft, fully colored, and slightly drooping.
- Winter PrepOctober and November75% of varieties
Protect in-ground trees with mulch; move container figs to a cool, dark place.
- PlantMarch, April and September50% of varieties
Plant bare-root or container figs after the last hard frost
Do
- Prune to shape and remove dead branches
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don't fertilize in late fall to prevent new growth that can be damaged by frost
- Never ignore pest signs; early intervention is key
- Don’t fertilize in late fall
What goes wrong with Ficus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Fig Rust Mite | Webbing and stippling on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or introduce beneficial insects |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fig Rust | Small, yellowish-orange spots on the undersides of leaves, leading to premature leaf drop. | Improve air circulation; apply copper-based fungicide. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. |
| Fig Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Ficus
Cuttings
- Select healthy, semi-hardwood branches in late summer
- Cut 6-inch sections with a sharp knife
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep in warm, bright location for 6 weeks
Grafting
- Choose compatible rootstock and scion
- Make matching cuts on both parts
- Join and secure with grafting tape
- Keep in controlled environment for 8 weeks
Ficus questions
How many types of Ficus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Ficus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 93 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ficus grow in?
Across its varieties, Ficus covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ficus bloom?
Most Ficus varieties bloom in late summer, early summer, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ficus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Ficus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Ficus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
