Fig

Profile

Family

Moraceae

Habit

Tree

Height

6 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

40 years

First yield

after 3 years

Hardiness

zone 6–11

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

6 – 7.5

Planned in gardens

7×

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be consumed raw or cooked and is sweet, juicy, and exquisite when fully ripe, almost melting in the mouth. Dried fruit is a valuable commodity, with figs being pear-shaped and up to 5 cm in diameter. The latex from the juice is useful for curdling plant milk, and a nutritional analysis is provided.

Medicinal: The gum resin extracted from the root has medicinal properties such as anthelmintic, antispasmodic, expectorant, and nervine. It is utilized for treating asthma, whooping cough, gas colic, pneumonia, and bronchitis in children. The plant's leaves have carminative and diaphoretic effects. Studies have explored its possible contraceptive properties.

Other uses: Wood is flexible yet porous and not very valuable. It is utilized for hoops, decorations, and similar items. When soaked in oil and sanded, it can be used as a replacement for honing.

Growing

Requires a well-drained, medium to light loamy soil and some limestone gravel incorporated into the soil. Flourishes in dry soils. Heavy, wet soil can lead to excessive plant growth over fruit production. Prefers a sunny location but can tolerate partial shade when positioned against a warm wall. The plants can withstand temperatures down to about -15°C. Frost may damage the above-ground parts, causing them to die back in severe winters, but plants typically recover. Trees need the protection of a south- or west-facing wall to yield a good harvest in most regions. Freestanding trees can succeed in Cornwall. Figs are extensively grown for their edible fruit in warmer climates, with numerous named cultivars available. 'Brown Turkey' is the most popular variety in this climate and is well-suited for cultivation. 'White Ischia' is a compact variety perfect for growing in containers, producing plenty of green-white, thin-skinned fruits. In some regions, up to three harvests per year are possible. In the UK, typically only one harvest is achieved when grown outdoors, occasionally two in very hot years. The fruit takes approximately 12 months to ripen in the UK. To prevent excessive vegetative growth, it is recommended to contain the roots of fig trees in most soil types. This can be achieved through root pruning or by using a permanent barrier around the roots, such as planting in a large pot buried in the ground. Ensuring the tree receives adequate moisture, especially during fruit ripening, is crucial.

Propagation

Seeds - Sow in spring in a warm greenhouse. Transplant the seedlings once they are big enough, and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for at least the initial year. Plant outdoors in late spring after the final frosts and offer protection during the first winter. Take 10-12 cm cuttings from mature wood with a heel in a frame during winter. Quite simple, but ensure the cuttings are frost-free. Planting the cuttings in separate pots is likely the best approach. Layering

Notable

Special features: Only self-fertile cultivars are suitable, as the sole pollinator (the fig gall wasp) can only survive in Mediterranean climates. Although the fig is frost-hardy up to zone 6, the fruit-bearing shoots freeze back earlier: the fig needs a location protected from wind and cold. It's best to limit the horizontal spread of the shallow roots.

Origin & habitat

Western Asia. Southern Europe

Many plant species flourish in forest environments, particularly in soils rich in calcium carbonate.

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