How to Grow and Care for Common fig

Common fig, also known as Edible fig, Smyrna fig, Adriatic fig, Kadota, Mission fig

Common fig is known for its resilience and adaptability, making it generally easy to care for. The key to optimal growth for common fig includes ensuring full sun exposure and regular watering, although it is drought-tolerant once established. Special care points involve protection from frost in colder climates and proper pruning to maintain shape and productivity.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Common fig

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	5-12
Toxicity	Toxic to Pets

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Varieties of Common fig

Common fig 'Chicago Hardy'

Common fig 'Chicago Hardy' is distinct for its hardiness and purple-skinned fruit. A cultivar of Ficus carica, its name refers to its ability to even withstand Chicago winters. The stems may die back in cold conditions, but new stems will sprout in spring and produce sweet fruit in late summer.

Common fig 'Celeste'

One of the most frequently grown figs, the common fig 'Celeste' is a Common fig cultivar with worldwide popularity. This self-pollinating, high-yielding fig was bred to be heat and cold-resistant, and it's distinguished by its mid-sized, extremely sweet fruit with buttery-smooth taste. Thanks to its "closed-eye" (the "eye" on the bottom of the fruit stays tight), it resists pests very well and it's not prone to spoilage.

Common fig 'Brown Turkey'

Common fig 'Brown Turkey' is an ancient cultivar of the common fig, also known as the ‘negro largo’ or long black because of its sizeable purple-brown-colored fruit. This hybrid produces abundant fruit and grows up to 6 m high - shorter than its parent which reaches heights of 10 m. Note that the 'Turkey' referenced in the name likely refers to its native territory rather than the bird.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Common fig

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More General Info About Common fig

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Quickly Identify Common fig

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Common fig exhibits a robust structure, characterized by its woody, deciduous nature, and typically multi-stemmed growth that contributes to a broadly spreading canopy. This specimen achieves a stately stature ranging between 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) in both height and width, forming a rounded silhouette. The shrub's defining physical traits are observable in its substantial stem system and its overall imposing, yet graceful, arboreal form.