Top 20 Fig Varieties to Grow: Tips and Advice for a Successful Harvest

Figs are a beloved fruit known for their rich, sweet flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re eating them fresh, dried, or using them in recipes, figs are easy to grow in warm climates or containers. Selecting the right variety is key to enjoying a bountiful harvest. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 20 fig varieties to grow, along with essential tips to ensure a successful and healthy crop.

1. Brown Turkey

Brown Turkey is one of the most popular fig varieties, known for its large, sweet fruit with brownish-purple skin and red flesh. It’s perfect for fresh eating and preserves.

Tip: Brown Turkey is cold-hardy and drought-tolerant, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.

2. Black Mission

Black Mission figs are prized for their rich, sweet flavor and dark purple-black skin. They’re excellent for fresh eating, drying, and cooking.

Tip: Plant Black Mission figs in full sun and well-drained soil for the best fruit production.

3. Kadota

Kadota is a light green to yellow fig with a sweet, honey-like flavor. It’s great for canning, drying, and fresh eating.

Tip: Kadota figs thrive in warm climates and require plenty of sunlight to develop their best flavor.

4. Celeste

Celeste figs, also known as “Sugar Figs,” are small, sweet figs with light brown to violet skin and pink flesh. They’re ideal for fresh eating and preserves.

Tip: Celeste figs are cold-hardy and do well in both warm and cooler climates, but they require good drainage.

5. Panache (Tiger Fig)

Panache figs, also called Tiger Figs, have green and yellow-striped skin with red flesh and a sweet, rich flavor. They’re perfect for fresh eating.

Tip: Panache figs need full sun and warm temperatures to ripen fully, so they’re best suited to warm, Mediterranean-like climates.

6. Violette de Bordeaux

Violette de Bordeaux is a small fig with dark purple skin and a rich, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, drying, and preserves.

Tip: Violette de Bordeaux is a compact tree that’s well-suited for container growing or small spaces.

7. Peter’s Honey

Peter’s Honey figs have bright yellow skin and amber flesh with a sweet, honey-like flavor. They’re ideal for fresh eating and drying.

Tip: Plant Peter’s Honey figs in a warm, sunny spot for the best flavor and ensure the soil is well-drained.

8. Chicago Hardy

Chicago Hardy figs are known for their cold tolerance and sweet, medium-sized fruit with dark purple skin. They’re great for fresh eating and preserves.

Tip: Chicago Hardy figs can withstand colder winters and will often regrow from the roots if damaged by frost.

9. Adriatic

Adriatic figs have green skin and sweet, strawberry-colored flesh. They’re perfect for drying and making jams due to their high sugar content.

Tip: Adriatic figs need full sun and regular watering during the growing season to develop their full sweetness.

10. Desert King

Desert King figs produce large, green-skinned fruit with a rich, sweet flavor and strawberry-colored flesh. They’re ideal for cooler climates.

Tip: Desert King is one of the best varieties for northern or cooler regions, as it produces fruit even in cooler summers.

11. Excel

Excel is a yellow-skinned fig with amber flesh and a sweet, mild flavor. It’s great for fresh eating and preserves.

Tip: Plant Excel figs in full sun and ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot.

12. LSU Purple

LSU Purple is a disease-resistant fig variety developed by Louisiana State University. It produces medium-sized, purple-skinned fruit with a sweet flavor.

Tip: LSU Purple figs thrive in warm, humid climates and are resistant to many common fig diseases.

13. Marseilles

Marseilles figs, also known as White Marseilles, have pale yellow skin and sweet, juicy flesh. They’re perfect for fresh eating and drying.

Tip: Plant Marseilles figs in a sunny, well-drained spot and water regularly to promote juicy, sweet fruit.

14. Petite Negra

Petite Negra is a dwarf fig variety that produces small, dark purple fruit with a sweet flavor. It’s perfect for container growing.

Tip: Petite Negra is ideal for small gardens or patios, but it still needs full sun and regular watering for the best results.

15. Ischia

Ischia figs are known for their green skin and rich, red flesh. They’re perfect for fresh eating, drying, and making preserves.

Tip: Ischia figs prefer warm climates and need full sun to ripen fully, making them ideal for Mediterranean or southern regions.

16. Atreano

Atreano figs have light green to yellow skin and sweet, honey-flavored flesh. They’re great for fresh eating and drying.

Tip: Atreano figs are more cold-tolerant than many other varieties, but they still need a sunny location for optimal growth.

17. White Genoa

White Genoa figs have pale yellow skin and sweet, juicy flesh. They’re excellent for fresh eating, drying, and jams.

Tip: White Genoa figs prefer warm climates but can also do well in cooler regions with plenty of sunlight.

18. Negronne

Negronne figs, also called “Bordeaux Figs,” are small, dark-skinned figs with a rich, sweet flavor. They’re great for fresh eating and preserves.

Tip: Negronne is a compact variety that’s ideal for container growing or small spaces, but it needs full sun for the best fruit production.

19. Texas Everbearing

Texas Everbearing is a hardy variety that produces medium-sized, sweet figs with bronze skin. It’s great for both fresh eating and cooking.

Tip: Texas Everbearing figs thrive in hot, dry climates and can tolerate drought once established, but they still need regular watering during fruiting.

20. Italian Honey

Italian Honey figs, also known as Lattarula figs, have green skin and a sweet, honey-like flavor. They’re perfect for fresh eating and drying.

Tip: Plant Italian Honey figs in a sunny spot and water regularly to keep the fruit sweet and juicy.

Tips for Growing Figs Successfully

1. Full sun for best fruiting: Figs need at least 6-8 hours of full sun each day to produce sweet, ripe fruit. Plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot.
2. Well-drained soil: Figs prefer well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils to prevent root rot.
3. Water consistently: Figs need regular watering, especially during the growing season and while the fruit is forming. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
4. Mulch heavily: Mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool in hot weather.
5. Prune annually: Prune fig trees in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak branches and encourage new growth. This improves air circulation and light penetration.
6. Fertilize sparingly: Figs do not require heavy fertilization. Feed your fig tree in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, but avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can reduce fruit production.
7. Pest control: Figs are generally resistant to many pests, but keep an eye out for aphids, scale, and spider mites. Use organic or chemical treatments if necessary.
8. Winter protection: In colder climates, protect your fig tree by wrapping it in burlap or using frost covers. Alternatively, grow figs in containers and move them indoors during the winter.

Common Questions and Answers

Q1: How long does it take for a fig tree to produce fruit?
Most fig trees begin producing fruit 2 to 3 years after planting, though it may take up to 5 years for a full crop.

Q2: When is the best time to plant fig trees?
The best time to plant fig trees is in early spring or late fall, while the tree is dormant. This allows the roots to establish before the growing season.

Q3: How often should I water fig trees?
Water fig trees deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering, as figs are drought-tolerant once established.

Q4: Can fig trees be grown in containers?
Yes, many fig varieties, especially dwarf or compact types like Petite Negra, can be successfully grown in containers.

Q5: How do I protect fig trees from frost?
In colder climates, cover your fig tree with frost cloth or burlap during the winter, or move container-grown trees indoors to protect them from freezing temperatures.