'Black Mission' was brought to the Americas by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century, this fig has a dark purple/black skin.  It has stood the test of time and is one of the most widely grown commercial figs in the world.  Good production and hardiness, along with good sugar/berry flavor, make it a cultivar worth considering, although it performs better in dry climates compared to Florida’s humidity.

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Latin name - Ficus carica

The Fig tree has been grown across the world since antiquity, and is one of the most historically referenced fruit trees ever.  Fig trees can be extremely productive and grow very strongly in dry Mediterranean climates.  In Florida, they can produce acceptably, but not their best due to some challenges with the high humidity and rainfall here.  Despite this Fig trees are still worth growing because a home grown, tree ripened Fig is one of the most enjoyable fruits to eat.

The flavor of a Fig can range from berry, to honey, or even melon.  When they are allowed to ripen fully on the tree, the sugars turn into a sweet nectar which can drip out of the “eye” of the fruit.  Fig trees are well suited for container growing because they can be pruned heavily over the winter to be kept small, and fruit will develop on the new growth in spring. Figs ripen from late spring to mid fall.  A crop of figs won’t all ripen at once, but just one or a few at a time.

In Florida, Fig trees can be affected by the presence of root knot nematodes, which can stunt the tree over time and in some cases, slowly kill it.  For this reason and because they’re easy to handle as potted trees, we usually recommend growing Figs in containers.  However, if you choose to plant your tree in the ground, you can still have success with some basic care.  Just make sure the soil is very fertile and will receive adequate water, and mulch heavily.  Fertilize in early spring, and again in late summer.  Fig trees enjoy full sun and are very heat tolerant, in fact they are one of the most heat and sun-loving plants we grow and will perform excellently in hot Florida summers.

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Size: 6-10 ft

Sun Requirements: Full sun

Cold Hardy: 20 degrees

Harvest Season:  Spring-Fall

Watering requirements:  Water regularly during growth period, less when dormant.

Food Forest Layer - Sub Canopy, Understory