7 named cultivars

fruit vegetable

Fig

$16.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Ficus carica, common fig, is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree native from the Mediterranean to central Asia, reaching ten to thirty feet. Large deeply lobed leaves five to ten inches across give it a distinctly tropical look, and the fruit is technically an inverted flower cluster — the flowers bloom inside what we eat.

Most figs grown in gardens are common-type cultivars that set fruit without pollination, which is why they crop reliably far outside the fig wasp's range — check the label for 'common' or self-fertile type, since Smyrna types will drop every fruit without the wasp. Many cultivars crop twice, a light breba crop on old wood and a main crop on new.

Uses & Benefits:

Bold tropical-looking lobed foliage on a sculptural multi-stemmed frame.

Crops heavily in a container or against a wall, often twice a season.

Fruit is taken by songbirds and insects; flowers are enclosed and largely inaccessible.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

240 inches

Width

240 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Mediterranean to central Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$16.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in well-drained soil.
Choose a warm sheltered position, ideally against a south wall.
Restrict the roots to encourage fruiting over foliage.
Water regularly while fruit is swelling.
Prune in late winter, removing crossing and old wood.
Protect the crown in zone 7 and colder.

Pro Tip

Restrict the roots — a fig planted in a container or a lined pit fruits far better than one given free run of rich soil, which makes leaves instead.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant against a warm sheltered wall 🧱
Restrict the roots for better fruiting 🪣
Water steadily while fruit swells 💧
Prune in late winter ✂️

Don't

Plant in rich unrestricted soil ❌
Let fruit dry out mid-swell; it drops ❌
Prune in summer and lose the crop ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fruiting shrub against a warm wallLarge container specimenEdible garden focal point

Companion Plants

Rosemary Lavender Grape Olive Thyme

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Fig questions

What zones can Fig grow in?

Fig is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Fig deer resistant?

Yes — Fig is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Fig bloom?

Fig typically blooms in spring through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Fig need full sun?

Fig does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Fig drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Fig handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.