About
A vigorous, spreading large shrub or small tree to around 6m tall with deeply lobed leaves. Edible, dark reddish-purple to black fruits with sweet, red flesh are ready from late summer into autumn.
About the genus
Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs or climbers, with often leathery, simple, entire or lobed leaves and tiny flowers borne within a hollow receptacle which enlarges to form the fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand, Clay
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Shrubs, Trees
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
ToxicityHumans/Pets: Harmful to skin with sunlight. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Best grown fan-trained against a warm wall or fence and may require winter protection. For further details see fig cultivation
PruningIn mid-spring remove a proportion (1/4 to 1/3) of older branches
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings, by layering or from suckers
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus