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Fig

Ficus carica

Fruit treeDeciduousFrost HardyToxic

The common fig is a deciduous large shrub or small, spreading tree from the Mediterranean region and western Asia with large lobed leaves and edible fruit. In Central Europe it is grown on warm, sheltered sites, often fan-trained against a wall, and most cultivars sold there are self-fertile.

Overview

Height2.5–5 m
Crown diameter2–4 m
Root systemShallow-rooted
ShadeDense shade
SunFull Sun
WaterLow
HardinessUSDA zones 7–10

Seasons

Flowering (Central Europe)None
Harvest (Central Europe)Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Planting time for bare-root trees. Container trees can be planted whenever the soil is workable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

None

Bad Companions

None

Only relations with a documented cause are listed.

Toxicity

SeverityMildly toxic
Toxic toHumans, Dogs, Cats

The milky latex (sap) of leaves and shoots contains furanocoumarins (psoralens) and the protease ficin; skin contact followed by sunlight can cause phytophotodermatitis, and ingestion causes gastrointestinal and dermal irritation in pets. The ripe fruit is edible.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun on a warm, sheltered south- or west-facing wall; protect from cold winds.
SoilWell-drained, rather dry, preferably calcareous soil; avoid waterlogging. Overly rich soil causes lush growth with poor fruit set and poor wood ripening.
WateringWater young and container plants evenly; established figs in the ground need little water. Never let pots stand in water in winter.
FertilizingLittle or no feeding in open ground; container figs get a high-potassium feed every two weeks until fruit starts to ripen. Too much nitrogen gives growth but no fruit.

Care Tip: Protect young plants and fan-trained figs in winter (straw, fleece); shoots are damaged below about -10 °C but usually regrow. Wear gloves when pruning because the sap irritates skin.

Sources