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Fig (Ficus carica)

Ficus carica is a perennial deciduous woody plant, growing as a shrub or small tree and often developing multiple stems with a spreading form.

LightFull sun is best, although partial shade is tolerated; a warm, sunny, sheltered position is preferable.
WaterIt prefers moist but well-drained soil, can adapt to dry soil and seasonal drought, and should not remain in persistently wet, waterlogged conditions.
TemperatureA single source reports a minimum temperature of about -15 °C, an ideal range of about 16–26 °C, and a maximum of about 38 °C.
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Overview

Ficus carica is a perennial deciduous woody plant, growing as a shrub or small tree and often developing multiple stems with a spreading form.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range: it is principally described as native to western Asia and areas around the Mediterranean, with some accounts extending the range into Central Asia, South Asia, North Africa, or southeastern Europe. It is reported to occur in rocky places, woodland, and scrub on hot, dry soils. It is suited to warm-temperate to subtropical, relatively dry or Mediterranean-type climates, tolerates some seasonal drought, and is also widely cultivated in other warm regions.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 300–1000 cm, while mature spread is 250–914 cm. Sources differ in describing its growth as moderate to fast. The large, alternate leaves are usually deeply palmately lobed, may have a rough surface, and are shed in winter. Numerous tiny, inconspicuous flowers are borne inside hollow, fleshy syconia; the structures that develop at maturity are often pear-shaped, obovoid, or nearly spherical, can mature from green to purple or brown depending on the cultivar, have soft, sweet interiors containing many small fruits, and chiefly mature from late summer into autumn.

Light

Full sun is best, although partial shade is tolerated; a warm, sunny, sheltered position is preferable.

Watering

It prefers moist but well-drained soil, can adapt to dry soil and seasonal drought, and should not remain in persistently wet, waterlogged conditions.

Temperature and dormancy

A single source reports a minimum temperature of about -15 °C, an ideal range of about 16–26 °C, and a maximum of about 38 °C.

Growing medium and mounting

Well-drained soil is preferred, including loam or a lighter growing medium; sources differ on preferred soil acidity or alkalinity.

Propagation

It can be propagated by stem cuttings, layering, or root suckers.

Common problems

It is reported to be susceptible to bark-beetle-type pests affecting nursery and landscape trees and to fig-related diseases. It may produce abundant root suckers and form thickets, while wet, heavy soil can encourage excessive vegetative growth and affect fruiting. Young plants and above-ground growth are sensitive to frost; severe winters may cause dieback to the base, and winter protection may be needed in some regions.

Identification

It is reported to have flowers concealed within fleshy syconia that develop into the structure commonly called a fig, along with large palmately lobed leaves and white latex released when the plant is injured.

Photos

Ficus carica
📷 unknown · Public domain · source
Ficus carica
📷 Silverije · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Ficus carica
📷 Drepanostoma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Drep · CC BY · source

Sources