Fig fruit is in the mulberry family. There are some 800 types of figs, genus Ficus, but the most popular fig varieties that we grow for the delicious fruits are all varieties of Ficus carica, the common fig tree.
The edible fig tree types (that is, common fig plant varieties) do not require cross pollination, so you need only one tree to get large fruits. Most varieties grow into medium sized trees, usually maxing out around 20 feet tall and 20 feet across. Some varieties are susceptible to hard freezes, sometimes dying back in winter, but returning in spring and even bearing a crop before the growing season ends when producing fruit. They have large root systems so choose a planting site that is permanent. Figs in a container is a great option if you are in the northern states where you can move it inside or in a greenhouse for the winter! In colder climates, small fig trees can be grown in containers and kept small by regular pruning. Some people in the northern United States go to great lengths to protect their fig trees in winter. Growing figs in containers is a great option but they really do thrive best in the ground! These trees will get fairly big and need some space to grow and produce the fresh fig fruit. A breba crop on this kind of fig tree produced figs in early spring Figs can produce two crops depending on your USDA zone. Figs often bear a first crop in spring on the previous year’s growth called the breba crop. The main crop is born later in the summer or early fall on new growth. The breba crop is much smaller than the main crop and is sometimes destroyed by a late spring frost. Read more about breba crops here. Figs develop in a multitude of colors including green skinned fruit that ripens into dark purple skin or even brown skin with red flesh or sometimes pink flesh depending on the variety and type of fig tree. Fig trees are deciduous meaning they lose their leaves in the dormant seasons. Some different types of fig trees are more cold hardy than others. Figs prefer full sun for best fruit production performance and are drought tolerant once established. There are more than 700 named cultivars of common fig out there. Characteristics of some of the best fig varieties are provided in the table below…Perfect Plants is proud to offer 5 varieties of fig trees!
Fig trees are a delightful addition to any garden. But with over 750 varieties how do you know what type of fig tree you have? Identifying your specific fig variety will allow you to tailor care and find optimal harvest times. This guide will walk through the key steps for figuring out your mystery fig tree.
How to Start Identifying Your Fig Tree
When trying to pin down your fig variety look closely at these traits
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Leaf shape and size – Are the leaves hand-shaped (palmate) or feather-like (pinnate)? How big are they?
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Fruit color, shape and size – What color is the skin and flesh? What shape and dimensions are the fruits?
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Cold hardiness – What growing zones does your variety thrive in?
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Flavor – Is the taste sweet, mild, or rich?
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Cropping – Does your tree produce brebas (small early crop) and/or a main fig crop?
You’ll also want to consult local fig growing resources like university extensions or regional nurseries. Photos of leaves and fruits from your tree can help experts identify the variety.
Common Fig Varieties to Know
Here are some of the most widely grown backyard fig trees to compare yours against:
Brown Turkey – Hardy in zones 6-10. Medium green, deeply lobed leaves. Coppery brown skin, sweet pink flesh. Produces both breba and main crops. A versatile container fig.
Black Mission – For zones 8-10. Large bright green leaves. Deep purple-black skin, strawberry colored flesh. Main crop only. Classic variety for the West Coast.
Celeste – Thrives in zones 7-11. Medium green divided leaves. Violet skin, light pink sweet flesh. Breba and main crops. Favorite mild fig for the humid Southeast.
Desert King – Zones 8-11. Large bright leaves. Green skin blushing yellow. Juicy breba and main crops. Drought-tolerant for hot, dry regions.
Kadota – Zones 8-10. Small deeply lobed leaves. Pale green skin, amber flesh. Main crop only. Prolific producer ideal for coastal California.
Using Leaf Features as Clues
Subtle differences in fig leaves can indicate the likely variety. Check for these identifying traits:
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Overall leaf shape – Are they palmate (hand-shaped) or pinnate (feather-like)?
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Lobing – Are the edges smoothly rounded or deeply divided into lobes?
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Size – Are leaves small, medium, or large?
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Color – Ranging from light to dark green usually.
For instance, Brown Turkey has medium green, deeply lobed leaves while Black Mission has larger bright green leaves. Comparing leaf details to known fig types helps identify possibilities.
Examining Fruit Characteristics
In addition to leaves, fig fruits themselves provide variety clues based on:
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Skin color – green, yellow, brown, purple, black
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Flesh color – strawberry, pink, amber, dark red
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Shape – round, pear-shaped, or turbinate
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Size – small, medium, or large
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Flavor – sweet, mild, rich
So a fig with dark purple skin and red flesh indicates Black Mission. Matching your fruits’ attributes against descriptions of known figs helps pin down the likely variety.
Recognizing Climate Adaptation
Ideal growing zones also provide hints at possible fig types:
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Cold hardy – Withstand zones 6-11.
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Warm climate – Thrive in zones 8-11.
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Coastal – Suited for zones 8-10 near oceans.
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Southern – Prefer hot humid zones 9-11.
For instance, Celeste grows well across the warm, humid Southeastern US. Considering your climate helps narrow options.
Identifying Breba vs. Main Crop Varieties
Fig varieties are also categorized by cropping pattern:
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Breba types – Produce a small early crop on last year’s wood, followed by a main fall crop on new wood.
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Main crop types – Bear only a single late summer crop on new wood.
So a tree yielding both small early brebas and larger late figs indicates a likely breba variety like Brown Turkey.
Getting Help from Local Fig Experts
For definitive identification, consult regional specialists:
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Area fig associations
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University agricultural extensions
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Nearby fig specialty nurseries
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Longtime local fig growers
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County Master Gardener groups
These experts can examine samples and authoritatively identify your mystery fig variety based on experience.
Using DNA Testing If Needed
For very ambiguous fig trees, DNA analysis can conclusively pinpoint the variety. But this process is expensive so should only be used if other options fail.
Tips for Fig Variety Identification
Follow these tips when trying to decipher your fig tree:
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Take photos of leaves from around the tree along with whole fruits.
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Note whether your tree bears single or double fig crops.
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Check with local nurseries and extension offices familiar with regional fig varieties.
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Join online fig forums and post pictures asking for input.
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Closely examine leaf and fruit traits and cross-reference descriptions of known fig varieties.
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Research optimal climate zones and needs of different fig types to match your tree.
Next Steps After Identifying Your Fig
Once you believe you’ve identified your mystery fig variety, take these next steps:
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Look up specific care recommendations for that variety.
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Start record keeping to track your tree’s development and fruiting patterns.
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Label your tree using tags or markers with the suspected variety.
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Consult with local fig growers to confirm your identification.
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Enjoy your harvest! With the variety identified, you can look up tasty recipe ideas too.
Identifying your fig variety allows providing tailored care for optimal health and fruit production. Armed with key facts about your specific fig type, you can give your tree what it needs to thrive in your garden.
We’ve determined you’re in Growing Zone 10b
Fig fruit is in the mulberry family. There are some 800 types of figs, genus Ficus, but the most popular fig varieties that we grow for the delicious fruits are all varieties of Ficus carica, the common fig tree.
The edible fig tree types (that is, common fig plant varieties) do not require cross pollination, so you need only one tree to get large fruits. Most varieties grow into medium sized trees, usually maxing out around 20 feet tall and 20 feet across. Some varieties are susceptible to hard freezes, sometimes dying back in winter, but returning in spring and even bearing a crop before the growing season ends when producing fruit. They have large root systems so choose a planting site that is permanent. Figs in a container is a great option if you are in the northern states where you can move it inside or in a greenhouse for the winter! In colder climates, small fig trees can be grown in containers and kept small by regular pruning. Some people in the northern United States go to great lengths to protect their fig trees in winter. Growing figs in containers is a great option but they really do thrive best in the ground! These trees will get fairly big and need some space to grow and produce the fresh fig fruit. A breba crop on this kind of fig tree produced figs in early spring Figs can produce two crops depending on your USDA zone. Figs often bear a first crop in spring on the previous year’s growth called the breba crop. The main crop is born later in the summer or early fall on new growth. The breba crop is much smaller than the main crop and is sometimes destroyed by a late spring frost. Read more about breba crops here. Figs develop in a multitude of colors including green skinned fruit that ripens into dark purple skin or even brown skin with red flesh or sometimes pink flesh depending on the variety and type of fig tree. Fig trees are deciduous meaning they lose their leaves in the dormant seasons. Some different types of fig trees are more cold hardy than others. Figs prefer full sun for best fruit production performance and are drought tolerant once established. There are more than 700 named cultivars of common fig out there. Characteristics of some of the best fig varieties are provided in the table below…Perfect Plants is proud to offer 5 varieties of fig trees!
3 MUST HAVE FIG VARIETIES For Every Garden
FAQ
How do you tell what kind of figs you have?
- Black Mission Fig:Color: Deep purple to black. Flavor: Sweet and rich. …
- Brown Turkey Fig:Color: Brown to purple. Flavor: Sweet and juicy. …
- Calimyrna Fig:Color: Yellowish-green. Flavor: Nutty and sweet. …
- Kadota Fig:Color: Yellowish-green. Flavor: Mildly sweet.
Do all fig trees have fig wasps?
The crunchy little things that you notice when eating a fig are the seeds, each corresponding to one flower. Such a unique flower requires a unique pollinator. All fig trees are pollinated by very small wasps of the family Agaonidae.
What is the most common type of fig tree?
There are many different varieties of the fig tree. Two of the most common in the Southwest desert are ‘Black Mission‘ and ‘Brown Turkey’. It is native to Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean areas from Greece to Turkey where it is found growing in rocks or in shrubby areas.
How many types of figs are there?
There are four fig types categorized on their pollination behavior and floral biology: Common figs are female, parthenocarpic (or self-pollinating), and seedless figs that don’t require pollinator wasps to produce edible fruit. There are hundreds of varieties of female common figs, and the majority of U.S.-grown figs are varieties of common figs.
What are the different types of fig trees?
Two basic kinds of fig trees are grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10: caprifigs and edible figs. Although caprifigs produce male and female flower parts for reproduction, their fruits are pithy and dry, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Are fig trees easy to grow?
Figs are beautiful, delicious, and easy to grow at home. Although many people get intimidated by the idea of growing a tree at home, the process is not difficult at all. There are over 700 varieties of fig trees. In this article, I’ll share the three largest fig variety options.