Species guide
Figs
10 fig varieties with cited chill-hour, zone, and pollination data. Most are self-fertile.
Variety catalog
- Black Mission~100 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 7–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Brown Turkey~100 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 7–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
Medium, bronze-skinned; larger than Celeste with an open eye
- Celestechill —zones —self-fertile
Small, light brown to violet; very sweet, with a tight closed eye
- Chicago Hardychill —zones —self-fertile
- Desert King~100 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Kadota~100 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 7–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- LSU Goldchill —zones —self-fertile
Large yellow fig with a partially open eye
- LSU Purplechill —zones —self-fertile
Medium; reddish to dark purple when ripe
- O'Rourkechill —zones —self-fertile
Larger than Celeste; eye not tightly closed
- Violette de Bordeauxchill —zones 5–10 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
(est.) marks our clearly-labeled estimate where no source publishes a figure (hover for the basis); dashed badges cite nursery catalogs rather than extension sources; “—” means nobody publishes that figure for the variety.
Growing figs: the basics
Figs are easygoing and self-fruitful, thriving in warm spots with plenty of sun — the main challenge in cooler areas is carrying them safely through winter.
Sun & site
Figs want a minimum of eight hours of direct sun a day through the growing season. In colder areas the south side of a building is the ideal spot, where reflected warmth reduces winter injury.
Soil
Figs tolerate a wide range of soil types but need good drainage to avoid root rot. A slightly acidic soil suits them, so it's worth testing and adjusting pH before planting.
Spacing
Figs are self-fruitful, so no pollination partner is needed. They grow wider than tall and can reach fifteen feet or more across, so give a bush-form fig around ten feet in each direction, and more for a tree-form plant.
Watering & first years
Figs like steady moisture — roughly one to one and a half inches of water a week from rain or irrigation keeps them productive through the summer. A two- to three-inch layer of mulch over the root zone helps hold moisture; keep it back from the trunk itself.
Cold protection
In marginal zones, figs can suffer winter injury, and a vigorous, fast-growing plant is more easily killed by low temperatures. Choose a sheltered site, favour cold-hardy varieties, and protect young trees during cold spells — a thick layer of mulch over the roots and a cover over the top help them come through winter.
Where this guide comes from
This growing guide is drawn from the university-extension sources below.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension. Figs: How to Grow and Care for Figs in South Carolina — accessed July 2026
- University of Georgia Extension. Home Garden Figs — accessed July 2026
Plan the year
Month-by-month fig care, anchored to each zone’s typical frost dates: