Fig
Ficus carica
MediumSecondary
Production
A drought-proof classic that crops sweet figs on almost no care and pollards happily for size. Its roots seek water aggressively, so keep it clear of drains and walls.
Tolerances & traits
- Strata
- Medium
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Loam, Sandy, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 7.8
- Min. temperature
- -12°C
- Min. rainfall
- 450 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- Medium
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
How to manage it
Very drought-hardy once established; prune in winter and it resprouts strongly, tolerating hard pollarding. Restrict roots or grow in poor soil to boost fruiting over foliage.
Watch out for
Roots are aggressive and water-seeking - keep away from drains, paving and walls. Choose self-fertile (common/Adriatic) cultivars; caprifig types need the fig wasp to set fruit. Sap is a skin irritant and phototoxic in sunlight.
Design your line to see how your land fits Fig.
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