Fig

Ficus carica

Moraceae (Mulberry)

One of the easiest fruit trees for the South — drought-tough, pest-light, and heavy-bearing in our heat.

EdiblePerennialDrought-toughBeginner-friendlyWe sell it

Fig (Ficus carica) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Low once established

Soil

Well-drained

pH

6.0–7.0

Hardiness

Hardy perennial tree/shrub

Height

10–20 ft

Spacing

10–15 ft

Days to harvest

2–3 yr to bear

What it is

Fig (Ficus carica) is in the Moraceae (Mulberry) family. One of the easiest fruit trees for the South — drought-tough, pest-light, and heavy-bearing in our heat.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low once established, and give it well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 10–15 ft apart. Expect roughly 2–3 yr to bear. Hardy perennial tree/shrub.

How it's used

Fig is used: fresh, dried, preserves.

🔎 How to identify it

Large lobed sandpapery leaves
Milky sap in stems
Fruit ripens soft and droops

Edibility

PartsRipe fruit

UsesFresh, dried, preserves

CautionMilky sap can irritate skin.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.

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