Ficus carica
Common Fig
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
10-25' tall, large shrub/small tree. Several lanky, upright stems when young, w/ little side branching. Over time, may get as wide as tall, becoming vase-shaped to broad-rounded as suckering occurs. Fast growing, even if killed back to the ground by a hard winter. Long-lived.
Native Range
Native to W. Asia & eastern Mediterranean region. Cultivated since early times.
Flower and Fruit Details
Green flowers, not showy, or even noticeable, since they form inside hollow receptacles near the branch growing tips, where the fig fruit begins developing, finally hanging from a stem and ripening in late summer or fall on the current season's growth. The fruit is sweet and edible, a syconium, formed by an enlarged, fleshy, hollow receptacle with multiple ovaries on the inside. It is considered both a multiple fruit and an accessory fruit. Fruits are parthenocarpic, developing w/out cross-pollination.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are large, palmate, hairy, 5-10" long and 4-8" wide, with 3-5 lobes, with deep sinuses between the lobes, rough and dark green on top, smoother and lighter beneath. Smooth gray to greenish-gray bark on coarse stems. Old trees in warmer climates develop smooth, silver-gray bark, becoming gnarled w/ age.
Culture and Care
Will survive in part shade, but best fruit production is in full sun. Best growth is in moist, rich, organic, well-drained soils, but actually does well in most soils. Zone 6-9, depending on the cultivar. Best results in Zones 6-7 are when the plant is grown in a protected site against a south or west-facing wall, w/ winter mulching high up on the stems to help prevent major top dieback. Species does best in Zones 7-10. Very few insect or disease problems. No sprays usually needed, unless yellow jackets, bees & wasps discover & start devouring the super-sweet fruits in late summer or fall. Scale, aphids and mites are rare problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall. Bird netting may be needed if birds begin feeding on the fruits you wanted to harvest and eat for yourself. Harvest fruits when they droop and are soft to the touch, but before they start oozing out the sweet, honey-like sap. Figs are in the mulberry family.
Suggested Uses
May be grown as an ornamental (large, showy leaves and interesting fruits), or simply as a fruit tree for its edible fruit.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Ficus carica 'Celeste' // Celeste Fig
Shrub. A plant of southern tradition, yet quite cold hardy. Rounded habit, 10-15' tall. Self-fertile, parthenogenic flowers produced inside a concave receptacle, requiring no cross-pollination. Violet/brownish-purple, summer/fall fruits w/ rosy-amber pulp. The "eye" at the bottom of the fruit is small, keeping insects out. Fruits main crop early on last year's wood. No serious disease/ insect problems. Does well in pots, which can then be moved inside for the winter if desired, Zones 6-9. Pear-shaped fruit. Quickly grows 10-15' tall and wide in Zones 6- 7, or to 15-25' in Zones 8-9. Excellent resistance to heat, drought, insects & disease. Needs full sun. Avoid low, wet, poorly-drained areas. Deer resistant, Best growth in organic soils, or in pots.
BS009067Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy' // Chicago Hardy Fig
Shrub. 10-15' tall. Self-fertile, parthenogenic flowers produced inside a concave receptacle, requiring no cross-pollination. Brown, pear-shaped fruits are produced early, are rich and sweet in summer/fall. Zone 6-8. Grow in pots or in organic soil, in full sun. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but appears to be adaptable to less-than-ideal conditions. Excessive cold (in Zone 6 and north) will cause injury, probably die-back to the ground. Plants regrow quickly the following year, and may produce fruit. Winter protection via heavy mulching helps assure fruiting the next year. No serious disease or insect problems. The large, dark green leaves provide an interesting textural effect in the landscape. Can grow 15-25' tall with adequate winter protection.
BS009066Ficus carica 'English Brown Turkey' // English Brown Turkey Fig
Shrub. 10-15' tall. Self-fertile, parthenogenic flowers produced inside a concave receptacle, requiring no cross-pollination. Sweet, purple-brown/bronzy-purple fruits, summer/fall. No disease or insect problems. A large-fruited variety, great for fresh eating. Zone 6-9. Prefers a moist, well-drained, organic soil, but adapts to tougher sites or even pots. Excessive cold (in Zone 6 and north) will cause injury, probably die-back to the ground. Plants regrow quickly the following year, and may produce fruit. Needs full sun. Grows larger and bears more fruit in Zones 7-9, where no stem dieback occurs due to cold, and there, it may even produce a spring crop and a fall crop of fruits. Can grow 15-25' tall with adequate winter protection.
BS009069Ficus carica 'Marseilles' // Marseilles Fig
Shrub. 10-15' tall, to 25' in climates w/ warm winters. Self-fertile flowers produced inside a concave receptacle. Large yellow/greenish-white fruits on previous season's growth ripen early (end of July). Very productive. Does well in in outdoor beds or in pots, which can then be moved inside for the winter if desired. Zones 6-9. Excellent resistance to heat, drought, insects & disease. Needs full sun. Avoid low, wet, poorly-drained areas. Deer resistant, This was Thomas Jefferson's favorite fig, which he brought here from France.
BS009068