The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Ficus carica. Produces tasty black velvet figs with pink inner flesh and tiny, crunchy seeds. Self pollinated. Sub-tropical, drought tolerant tree. Figs are possibly the very first domesticated fruit. There is evidence of fig cultivation as early as 4,000 B.C. The sweetest figs develop when the daytime temperature regularly exceeds 95°F. Figs thrive in most soil types, as long as well-drained. They need very little cold period to produce fruit.[2]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly when small | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Transplanting From Container into the Ground
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 15 F and above | Well-drained | See below |
Planting Tips
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | Plant Size | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 11 | 10 to 30 feet | Moderate |
- Planting a tree from a container: Fall is the recommended time to transplant a tree from a container into the ground because the roots require warm soil for them to grow. Choose a location that is sunny and protected from winter frosts. Spread a 1- to 2-inch thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree to protect the roots and retain moisture. [1] [2]
- Watering: Young trees in containers or in the ground need to be watered frequently, older trees not as often. Water older trees 1 to 1-1/2 inches either by irrigation or rainfall every 10 to 14 days. Yellowing or dropping leaves is a sign that the tree needs to be watered immediately. The tree will rebound even if it loses all it's [1]
- Pruning: Fig tree branches are gangly so need to be managed if you have limited space. After you’ve harvested the figs off the tree in late summer/early fall, prune it back to encourage further production of fruit and to keep it manageable. [1]
- Harvesting: There are two harvests; in spring and in late summer/early fall. [1]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: Birds, squirrels and any fruit eating dog. Netting will eliminate all three animals from eating your figs if your tree is small. Placing the net on just the canopy will eliminate the birds. Pruning the lower branches will stop most dogs except if you have a lab that really loves the fruit. My solution was to let him have the fruit on the lower branches and I got the fruit in the middle and top of the tree ; )
- Disease: Fig mosaic virus.[3]
Useful Resources
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/plant-care-black-mission-fig-tree-49972.html
- https://www.groworganic.com/products/fig-black-mission-standard-potted
- https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/fig/Fig-Mosaic/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.