Ficus carica

Edible Fig

Tree

This deciduous tree is sculptural in form with gray bark. Its hairy, deeply lobed leaves can be eight inches across and ten inches long. it grows moderately to 10 to 15 feet high and eight to ten feet across.

Temperature

Hardy to 20 to 25F.

Water requirements

Moderate to ample. Can thrive on deep irrigation at wide intervals, but more during the growing season for better fruit.

Sun

Full to reflected sun, but will tolerate some shade.

Soil

Gravelly soil with good drainage.

Maintenance

Periodic to constant.

Disadvantages

Leaves are itchy and irritating to the skin. Fruit and leaf litter. Subject to Texas root rot and fig mosaic virus. Sap of the green fruit is toxic.

Fruit or Seeds

First crop of figs sets with new leaves in spring and ripens in June, sometimes later. a second crop may ripen later in summer or appear continuously into fall until the first autumn chill.

Uses

Best planted where it has room to spread. Good for shade.

Origin

Native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. In cultivation for centuries. Member of the Moraceae family.

Cultivars

There are many cultivars including 'Black Mission,' which produces a dark purple fruit and is the best landscape tree.

Themes

Oriental, Mediterranean, Edible, Bird.

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