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Fig trees make for a fantastic addition to any garden, with their abundant foliage providing shade and their delectable fruits offering a burst of sweetness.
With hundreds of fig tree varieties available, choosing the right one for your garden can be a daunting task.
In this guide, we’ll explore 21 of the best fig tree varieties known for their easy care and productivity. Whether your particular needs and tastes are, you’re sure to find a fig tree that suits your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Fig trees come in a wide range of varieties, each with its unique growth habits, hardiness, disease resistance, and fruit characteristics.
- Some fig trees, like the Brown Turkey and Black Mission, are known for their robust growth and high productivity.
- Compact varieties, such as the Black Jack and Little Miss Figgy, are perfect for smaller gardens or container gardening.
- Choosing the right fig tree variety involves considering your climate, available space, and personal taste preferences.
Want to give your new fig tree the best start in life? Learn about the key features and care guidelines, issues to watch for, propagation, and much more in my detailed Fig Tree Guide.
1. Brown Turkey
The Brown Turkey fig tree is a popular choice among gardeners. It’s known for its robust growth and high productivity.
The tree can reach a height and width of 15-25 feet and has a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9, making it a versatile choice for various climates.
The Brown Turkey fig tree is resistant to most diseases, making it a relatively low-maintenance choice.
The fruits are medium in size, typically 2-3 inches in diameter. They have beautiful brownish-purple skin and succulent pink flesh.
The taste is sweet with a hint of honey, making them a delightful treat when eaten fresh or used in cooking.
2. Celeste
The Celeste fig tree, also known as the “sugar fig,” is prized for its sweet and delicious fruit.
The tree is compact, growing to a height and width of 7-10 feet, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers. It has a medium to fast growth rate and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Celeste fig trees have good resistance to most diseases. The fruits are small to medium in size and have purplish-blue skin with sweet, amber-colored flesh.
The fruit’s sweetness makes it a favorite for eating fresh, but it’s also excellent for preserves or baking.
3. Black Mission
The Black Mission fig tree is a classic variety that’s been grown in California since the 18th century.
It’s a large tree, reaching a height and width of 20-30 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Black Mission fig trees are generally resistant to pests and diseases, although they can be susceptible to root-knot nematodes. The fruits are large and have deep purple-black skin when ripe.
The flesh is strawberry-colored and has a rich, sweet flavor that’s perfect for eating fresh or using in recipes.
4. Kadota
The Kadota fig tree is a robust and productive variety. It grows to a height and width of 15-25 feet and has a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Kadota fig trees have good resistance to pests and diseases. The fruits are medium in size and have yellow-green skin.
The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, mild flavor. Kadota figs are excellent for eating fresh, but they’re also the most common variety used for canned figs.
5. Adriatic
The Adriatic fig tree is a high-quality variety known for its delicious fruit. The tree is medium in size, growing to a height and width of 15-25 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Adriatic fig trees are generally healthy but can be susceptible to fig rust in humid climates.
The fruits are medium to large and have green skin that may not look ripe even when the fruit is ready to eat.
The flesh is strawberry-colored and has an exceptionally sweet, rich flavor. Adriatic figs are often used to make fig bars.
6. Calimyrna
The Calimyrna fig tree is a favorite among fig lovers for its unique, nutty flavor.
The tree is large, reaching a height and width of 20-30 feet, and has a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Calimyrna fig trees are generally disease-resistant, but they do require a specific wasp for pollination, which can make fruit production more challenging in some areas.
The fruits are large and have greenish-yellow skin. The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, nutty flavor that’s highly prized, especially for drying.
7. Chicago Hardy
As the name suggests, the Chicago Hardy fig tree is known for its hardiness. It’s a medium-sized tree, growing to a height and width of 10-15 feet with a fast growth rate.
It’s hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, making it a great choice for colder climates, and it’s resistant to most diseases.
The fruits are medium in size and have purplish-brown skin. The flesh is pink and has a sweet, rich flavor.
This tree produces a prolific crop of delicious figs every year that can be enjoyed fresh or preserved.
8. Osborne Prolific
The Osborne Prolific fig tree, also known as the Neveralla, is a reliable and productive variety.
The tree is medium in size, growing to a height and width of 15-25 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Osborne Prolific fig trees have fairly good disease resistance. The fruits are large and have purple-brown skin.
The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, rich flavor. This variety is excellent for eating fresh, and the large fruits are also perfect for preserving.
9. Desert King
The Desert King fig tree is a robust variety that’s well suited to hot, dry climates. The tree is large, reaching a height and width of 20-30 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Desert King fig trees are resistant to most diseases. The fruits are large and have green skin.
The flesh is strawberry-colored and has a sweet, rich flavor. The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and the tree’s productivity makes it a great choice for home gardeners.
10. LSU Purple
The LSU Purple fig tree is a variety developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. It’s a compact tree, growing to a height and width of 10-12 feet with a fast growth rate.
It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9 and has excellent disease resistance. The fruits are medium in size and have dark purple skin.
The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, mild flavor. The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and the tree’s compact size makes it a good choice for smaller gardens or containers.
11. LSU Gold
The LSU Gold fig tree is another variety developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
It’s a large tree, reaching a height and width of 15-25 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
LSU Gold fig trees have very good disease resistance. The fruits are large and have yellow skin. The flesh is light-colored and has a sweet, rich flavor.
The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and their large size makes them perfect for preserving or baking.
12. White Marseilles
The White Marseilles fig tree is a classic variety that’s been grown for centuries. It’s a medium-sized tree, growing to a height and width of 10-15 feet. It has a medium growth rate and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
White Marseilles fig trees have good disease resistance. The fruits are medium in size and have greenish-yellow skin.
The flesh is light-colored and has a sweet, delicate flavor. The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and their unique flavor makes them a favorite for gourmet recipes.
13. Peter’s Honey
The Peter’s Honey fig tree is a delightful variety known for its sweet, honey-like flavor. The tree is medium in size, growing to a height and width of 10-15 feet.
It grows at a medium rate and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Peter’s Honey fig trees have good disease resistance and few pests. The fruits are medium in size and have yellow-green skin.
The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, honey-like flavor. The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and their unique flavor makes them a delightful addition to any fruit salad or dessert.
14. Magnolia
The Magnolia fig tree, also known as the Brunswick, is a robust and productive variety. The tree is large, reaching a height and width of 15-30 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Magnolia fig trees are seldom bothered by disease. The fruits are large and have purplish-brown skin. The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, mild flavor.
The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and their large size makes them perfect for preserving or baking.
15. Texas Everbearing
The Texas Everbearing fig tree is a reliable and productive variety, as suggested by its name. The tree is medium in size, growing to a height and width of 10-20 feet. It has a medium growth rate and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Texas Everbearing fig trees show resistance to most diseases. The medium-sized fruits have brownish-purple skin.
The flesh is pink and has a sweet, rich flavor. The fruits are excellent for eating fresh, and the tree’s productivity makes it a great choice for home gardeners.
16. Black Jack
The Black Jack fig tree is a compact variety that’s perfect for smaller gardens or containers. The tree grows at a medium rate to a height and width of 10-15 feet. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Black Jack fig trees are known for their resistance to common fig tree diseases, including fig rust and leaf blight, making them a relatively low-maintenance choice.
The fruits are large and have purplish-black skin. The flesh is strawberry-colored and has a sweet, rich flavor. These figs are excellent for eating fresh or using in recipes.
17. Violet de Bordeaux
The Violet de Bordeaux fig tree, also known as Negronne, is a small but productive variety. The tree grows to a height and width of 6-10 feet.
It’s hardy in USDA Zones 6-9, making it a great choice for slightly cooler climates, and grows at a medium rate.
Violet de Bordeaux fig trees have a strong resistance to common fig diseases, including fig mosaic virus and anthracnose, which can cause leaf spotting and fruit decay.
The fruits are small to medium in size and have dark purple skin. The flesh is deep red and has a sweet, intense flavor.
These figs are perfect for eating fresh and are highly prized for their unique taste.
18. Marseilles Black VS
The Marseilles Black VS fig tree is a high-quality variety known for its delicious fruit. This medium-sized tree grows to a height and width of 10-15 feet at a medium rate of growth. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Marseilles Black VS fig trees are resistant to fig leaf rust, a common disease that can cause premature leaf drop. The fruits are medium in size and have black skin.
The flesh is amber-colored and has a sweet, rich flavor. These figs are excellent for eating fresh and are also perfect for preserves due to their rich flavor.
19. Little Miss Figgy
The Little Miss Figgy fig tree is a dwarf variety, making it perfect for growing in containers or small spaces.
The tree grows to a height and width of 4-6 feet with a medium growth rate and is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10.
Little Miss Figgy fig trees are resistant to most common fig diseases, and their compact size makes it easier to manage any potential disease issues.
The fruits are medium in size and have dark purple skin. The flesh is deep red and has a sweet, rich flavor.
These figs are excellent for eating fresh, and their small size makes them a delightful snack.
20. Alma
The Alma fig tree is a reliable and productive variety. The tree is medium in size, growing to a height and width of 10-15 feet, with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Alma fig trees are known for their resistance to fig rust and anthracnose, two common fig diseases.
The medium-sized fruits have yellow-green skin, and the flesh is amber-colored with a sweet, mild flavor.
These figs are excellent for eating fresh, and their unique flavor makes them a favorite for gourmet recipes.
21. Improved Celeste
The Improved Celeste fig tree is a variety that’s been enhanced for better productivity and disease resistance.
This medium-sized tree grows to a height and width of 10-15 feet with a medium growth rate. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 7-9.
Improved Celeste fig trees are resistant to fig leaf rust and fig mosaic virus, two common diseases that can affect fig trees.
The fruits are medium in size and have purplish-brown skin. The flesh is pink and has a sweet, rich flavor.
These figs are excellent for eating fresh, and their high productivity makes them a great choice for home gardeners.
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the right fig tree for your garden depends on various factors, including your climate, available space, and personal taste preferences.
From the robust Brown Turkey to the compact Little Miss Figgy, there’s a fig tree variety to suit every garden.
Remember to consider each variety’s growth habits, hardiness, and disease resistance to ensure a successful and fruitful gardening experience.