Ficus carica aka Edible Fig

Ficus carica, the common fig, belongs to the mulberry family. Its native range spans the eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia and the western Himalaya. It sheds its leaves and grows as a shrub or small tree. Its crown spreads out, and several stems may form. Garden plants reach about 10–20 feet [3–6.1 metres] tall and wide. Larger plants can reach 30–33 feet [9–10 metres] tall. Size varies with climate and how growers train the plant.

The bark starts smooth and pale gray, then grows uneven with age. Stout branches carry large leaves in an alternate pattern. Each leaf has three or five deep lobes. The upper face feels rough and looks dark green. The lower face is paler. Young twigs may have fine hairs. The plant grows fast and sends up many suckers. These can form thickets where growers leave them unchecked.

Small green flowers grow inside hollow cups near branch tips. They appear in spring but offer little visible bloom. Each cup swells into the fleshy structure called a syconium. The main crop ripens in late summer or fall. Some plants also yield a smaller spring crop. Wild figs need wasps to pollinate their flowers. Many figs sold for gardens set fruit without pollination. Birds, wasps, and other insects eat the ripe crop. People eat ripe figs fresh, cooked, or dried. They also use them in jams, preserves, and baked foods.

Give figs full sun, though they can tolerate some shade. Rich, moist soil with good drainage suits them well. Sources differ on soil pH, from acidic to alkaline. Water them during the growing season. A warm, sheltered wall helps in cooler gardens. Hardiness reports range from USDA zones 6–9 to 8–10. The RHS gives the species a UK rating of H4. Cold winters can kill back stems, so winter protection may help. Containers let growers move plants indoors before severe freezes. Figs serve as fruit trees, garden specimens, and wall-trained plants.

Aphids, scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and root-knot nematodes can cause damage. Leaf spots, rust, blight, and honey fungus may occur. Fallen fruit can make a mess. The species has become invasive in Florida and California. Its milky sap can harm skin exposed to sunlight. It can also irritate eyes, and pets face skin risks too. Sources warn that partly ripe fruit may be poisonous. Mediterranean folk medicine has used the sap, but that does not establish its safety.