20 Facts About Figs & Fig Trees You Probably Didn't Know
Did you know that the fig is an inverted flower? Housed in a syconium, each fig contains 100 to 500 individual flowers. Consequently, when you eat a fig, you're consuming 100-500 individual fruits. And that’s only the beginning, fig trees are fascinating.
Fig lovers, this is Ross the Fig Boss, and today we're delving into 20 facts you probably didn’t know about fig trees that will answer common questions and dispel some prevalent myths. Let's get into it.
As always if you want to see more fig-related content like this, feel free to subscribe to the monthly Fig Boss newsletter at the top of the page.
Classification & History
The fig belongs to the Moraceae family, related to breadfruit, jackfruit, che, and mulberry. There are over 850 species of Ficus, including the fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, strangler fig, and sycamore fig, but cultivation of Ficus Carica, the fig tree dates back over 12,000 years,
Fig trees have a significant presence in religious texts and myths.
For example, figs are frequently mentioned in the Bible. After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover themselves. In Islamic culture, the fig is mentioned in the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad reportedly praised figs, considering them a fruit of paradise.
The Bodhi tree, under which Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) attained enlightenment, is a species of fig tree (Ficus religiosa) and is the oldest tree known to have been planted by a human 2,300 years ago.
In ancient Greece and Rome, figs were considered a symbol of prosperity and peace. The Romans brought fig trees with them everywhere during their military conquests.
The early Olympic athletes used figs as food for training. Figs were also presented as laurels to the winners, becoming the first Olympic “medal.”
Similarly, the Spaniards introduced Mission figs to California in the early 16th century. Priests at Mission San Diego planted these figs in 1769, which is why the dark purple fig is called "Black Mission."
Ancient Egyptians used figs to treat various ailments, and traditional medicine in many cultures has utilized figs for their health benefits. In ancient Egypt, figs were regarded as sacred and were often placed in tombs as offerings for the deceased, symbolizing abundance and eternal life.
King Louis XIV at Versailles maintained a collection of 700 fig varieties in pots during the summer continuing production into the winter under a specific fig greenhouse that no longer exists. Now you can tell your spouse that you’re doing king’s work.
Related: The Fig Tree: Exploring its Fascinating Fig Wasp, Pollination, History, Types of Figs & other Ficus
Ease of Growing & Wide Adaptability
Figs are easy to grow, with minimal pest and disease issues. They require protection from birds and squirrels but can thrive in various climates, including cold, dry, and wet regions.
Fig Tree Cold Tolerance & Growing Fig Trees in Pots
Fig trees can be grown in a wide range of cold climates. In zones 5 & 6, they’ll need winter protection, but in zones 7A+ they can go unprotected during the winter.
Don’t be afraid to grow them in pots where it is colder, as they make wonderful productive container plants. In growing zones 4-8, store your potted fig tree during the winter months. Choose a stable storage location that keeps temperatures between 15°F and 50°F to protect from freezing temperatures and to avoid an early wake-up from dormancy.
Fig trees are popular among bonsai enthusiasts due to their adaptability and the attractive, thick, and gnarled appearance of their trunks and roots. The container will control the size of your tree making them easier to manage.
Short Seasons
Even though fig trees are considered a fall fruit, most locations in the US have a long enough growing season to achieve a productive harvest. Consider breba-producing varieties that can be harvested in only 120 days after waking or consider early ripening main crop varieties that can be harvested in only 150 days after waking.
Related: Early Ripening Fig Varieties
Fig Tree Drought Tolerance
Fig trees are excellent for dry and desert-like conditions. They often grow wild in cracks of concrete or rocks with minimal water and soil. They can do this because they store excess water in their trunks, branches, and even fruits, much like a cactus. This helps them prepare for droughts.
Related: Fig Tree Watering | How Much Water, When to Water & Why Excess Water Leads to Watered-Down Figs!
Q: Do Fig Trees Need Dormancy?
A: Fig trees don’t need a dormancy period or 100 chill hours contrary to the incorrect information you’ll find all over the internet. This allows them to be grown even in tropical locations. To succeed in these areas, grow them under plastic and hard prune them to rejuvenate new fruiting wood after fruiting.
Related: Fig Chill Hours
Tree Size
Fig trees can reach massive sizes in the right conditions. They’re certainly one of the fastest-growing fruiting plants in hot, long-seasoned, and wet areas. In a handful of years, you can expect a 15-20 ft tall fig tree if uncontrolled through pruning.
When pruned they can easily be maintained at 6-12 ft like most other fruit trees. They can even be planted as close as 2 ft apart to create a fruiting hedge if maintained properly.
Dwarf fig trees usually grow to 4x4 or 6x6 feet. They have tighter node spacing, need little or no pruning, produce smaller leaves and fruits, and tend to grow outwards more than upwards.
Related: Fig Tree Size Matters: The Beauty of Dwarf Fig Trees & Taming the Growth of any Fig Tree
Fig Trees & Foundations
Fig trees have extensive root systems in the top foot of soil, aggressively seeking water and nutrients. Contrary to some information online, fig roots do not damage foundations. Fig trees are propagated by cuttings, so they don't have taproots like those grown from seeds. However, their roots can affect sidewalks and pipelines, similar to most trees.
A Fig Tree’s Special Features
Fig trees are unique because they continuously fruit on new growth each season and produce two crops. The first, called the breba crop, forms on last year's wood and ripens 30-45 days earlier. The second, the main crop, grows on new growth. Only everbearing strawberries also produce multiple crops throughout the season, but figs are the only woody plants I know that can do this.
The 3 Stages of Fig Development: Why Your Figs May Not Be Ripening
Fig formation starts as a tiny pea-sized fruit, with the stem forming first. It quickly grows to the size of a penny or nickel and stays that size for about 30 days. After this stagnation period, the fig starts swelling again, reaching a larger size in a short burst of 1-3 days and stays at that size for another 30 days before entering the final ripening stage, where the figs swell, change color, become softer, and turn sweet and edible.
Q: Do Fig Trees Need a Pollinator?
A: Imagine a world without pollinators. We would lose a significant part of our diets and world hunger would ensure. One of the most amazing things about fig trees is that they do not require pollination by bees or wasps. They are one of the few parthenocarpic fruiting plants and if bees went extinct, we could still rely on figs as a food source.
Figs can be classified into 4 main types - Common, San Pedro, Smyrna, and the male Caprifig. Each has different flowers that are found within its syconium. The type of flowers determines if pollination is required for their main crop figs to ripen properly and become edible. The Common fig, which is what you’ll “commonly” find at nurseries, does not require pollination of any kind.
The Fig Wasp
A common misconception is that every fig contains a fig wasp. However, the fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes) is only found in small areas of Southern California, Northern California, and the Mediterranean. Outside these regions, you won't find fig wasps in your figs. Even when figs are pollinated by wasps, the wasp disintegrates inside the fig, making it nearly undetectable.
This might concern vegans, but you're probably eating more bugs than you realize. Whether you're growing your own food or buying it from the store, bugs are inevitably part of your diet.
Related: The Benefits of Fig Tree Caprification (Pollination) & Why ALL of us Should Attempt Hand Pollination
Common Myth: Light vs. Dark Figs
Another common myth is that fig varieties are limited to light (white) and dark (black) figs. In reality, there are thousands of varieties with a wide range of skin colors, including red, yellow, green, gray, purple, brown, and even blue. You read that right. Some figs are as blue as a blueberry.
However, a fig’s skin color isn't the most important factor when choosing a fig variety. The pulp color significantly influences their flavor and eating experience. You probably didn’t know that fig varieties can be categorized by their pulp color: berry figs with dark red pulp, honey figs with amber or light yellow pulp, and sugar figs with brown or lighter red pulp. The genetic diversity in figs offers a wide range of flavors and textures.
What Do Figs Taste Like?
Figs are among the best-tasting fruits you can grow right in your backyard. Trust me, I've tasted and grown them all, but don't just take my word for it.
The fig is nature's pastry. They're like eating a scoop of jam right off the tree wrapped in the perfect accompaniment, its skin.
Uses of Fig Tree Leaves
Fig leaves are another remarkable aspect of the fig tree.
Edible Wraps: Fig leaves can be used in cooking similarly to grape leaves. When dried or blanched, they make excellent wraps for stuffing with rice, meat, or vegetables, adding a unique flavor to the dish.
Tea and Syrups: Fig leaves can be used to make tea, which is known for its distinctive coconut-like flavor. This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold and is often used for its purported health benefits. Fig leaf syrup can also be made by boiling the leaves and reducing the liquid, which can then be used to flavor desserts, drinks, and other dishes.
Infusions: Fig leaves can be infused into liquids such as milk or cream, imparting a subtle flavor that enhances desserts like ice cream, custards, and panna cotta.
Grilling and Smoking: The leaves can be used to wrap fish, chicken, or other meats for grilling or baking, infusing the food with a unique flavor. They can also be used in smoking to impart a mild, aromatic quality to meats and vegetables.
Fig Sap is Caustic
However, caution is advised when harvesting the leaves as fig sap or latex can be caustic to the skin, and irritating similar to poison ivy. Fig sap is found in the leaves, stems, branches, and figs. The best way to deal with fig sap is to wash it off with degreasing soap and apply hydrocortisone to prevent further inflammation. Be careful to watch over your pets like dogs. I am unsure if the sap can burn your pet’s skin.
Interestingly, the sap is not all bad. Here’s why:
The white latex that exudes from fig trees can be used to curdle milk in traditional cheese-making processes as an alternative to rennet. The leaves also contain ficin, which can coagulate dairy.
Fig trees also have a remarkable ability to heal themselves. When a branch is cut, the tree secretes a latex-like substance that helps seal the wound.
Figs in Recipes
In the kitchen, figs are very versatile. They work well in both savory and sweet dishes and are great for baking, smoothies, salads, or cheese boards. Slice a fig in half and place it skin-side down on a plate. Top it with crushed nuts, honey, cheese, or cured meats. Add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender for extra flavor.
They also pair well with meats, wine, yogurt, balsamic vinegar, and bread.
When baking, fig puree can be used to replace fat.
Soaking dried figs in milk overnight is a practice found in various culinary traditions around the world. It is particularly common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, where dried fruits are often soaked in milk or yogurt to soften them and enhance their flavor before consumption.
Preserving Figs
Figs have been preserved for 1000s of years. They can be frozen, dried, or canned, and made into jams, jellies, and syrups.
Slow-drying figs over 2-3 weeks, rather than using a dehydrator or oven, can enhance their flavor, making them one of the best dried fruits available. They can be sundried or dried in the refrigerator. Simply cut them in half and place them skin-side down on a tray.
Related: Drying Figs at Home: A Better Way
Pickling Figs
Similar to green and underripe tomatoes, you can also pickle green unripe figs that you may have left over at the end of the season.
To pickle green unripe figs, start by washing and blanching the figs in boiling water for about 5 minutes, then drain and let them cool.
Prepare a pickling brine by combining 2 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of salt in a pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Add optional spices like cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and peppercorns for added flavor.
Pack the blanched figs into sterilized jars, then pour the hot brine over the figs, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Related: Dried Figs: 4 Methods of Drying, Their Cultural Significance, Health Benefits & Uses in the Kitchen
Q: Can You Eat Figs Right Off the Tree?
A: While preserving and cooking techniques make great use of figs, they don’t have to be prepared in any way. Maybe I’m a purist, but nothing beats a fresh fig picked at perfect ripeness.
Harvesting Figs
To determine ripeness, touch the neck of the fig, which should be soft if the fig is ripe. Figs ripen from the bottom up, so a soft neck indicates that the rest of the fig is ripe.
Q: Will Figs Ripen Off the Tree?
A: No, figs will not ripen off the tree. This makes it important to harvest them at the right time. Unlike peaches or pears, which can ripen after being picked, figs cannot. This is why store-bought figs are often only 50-60% ripe, tasteless, and have a cardboard-like texture. Growing fig trees at home ensures you get fully ripe and flavorful figs.
Q: How Many Figs Does a Fig Tree Produce?
A: A mature fig tree can produce 500 figs or more each growing season. In commercial orchards, some produce 5-20 tons annually. When growing in containers, they can produce 75 figs in a 5-gallon-sized pot or 150-200 in a 15-gallon-sized pot.
Health Benefits of Figs
Eating half a cup of figs provides as much calcium as drinking half a cup of milk.
Figs have more fiber per ounce than prunes and more potassium per ounce than bananas.
Figs have a moderate glycemic index and contain soluble fiber, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
They contain antioxidants like phenols and flavonoids, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
