Common Name: Common Fig 'Brown Turkey'
Latin Name: Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
Brand: —
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Mature Height: 10–30 ft (smaller with pruning)
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Mature Width: 10–30 ft
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Sun Exposure: Full sun
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Cold Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 6–9 (best fruiting in 7–9)
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Habit: Erect, rounded to spreading; multi-stemmed small tree/shrub
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Foliage: Large, palmately lobed, coarse-textured deciduous leaves; yellow-bronze fall color
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Flower/Fruit: Flowers are hidden (inside the fig); fruit 1–3" with purple-bronze to yellow skin and pink, sweet flesh; harvest late spring–fall depending on climate (often two crops in warm regions)
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Soil pH: Adaptable—acidic to neutral (~5.5–7.5); prefers well-drained loam with organic matter
Description:
A time-honored edible for home gardens, the Common Fig delivers lush, tropical-looking foliage and delicious, sweet fruit on a hardy, heat-tolerant small tree. Its forgiving nature, fast growth, and compact size with pruning make it ideal for urban orchards, patios, and edible landscapes. Birds and small mammals relish the crop, while the architectural leaves bring bold texture to beds and borders.
Care Tips:
Plant in full sun with well-drained soil; amend with compost at planting. Water deeply and regularly the first season, then during dry spells (avoid waterlogged sites). Prune in winter to control size, remove crossing wood, and encourage new fruiting shoots. Mulch 2–3" to conserve moisture. In colder zones, site against a warm wall or grow in a large container you can protect over winter. Note: the milky sap may cause skin irritation (phytophotodermatitis)—wear gloves when pruning.
Landscape Uses:
Edible gardens, specimen/feature tree, espalier against walls, large containers (with winter protection), patio fruit, children’s gardens, pollinator-friendly plantings.
Wildlife & Notes:
Provides food for birds and small mammals; attracts pollinators to the garden environment. Heat and salt tolerant. Pets: figs are generally safe to grow, but sap can irritate; supervise curious chewers.
