Deeply irrigate the root zone, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Water more frequently during summer heat and fruit development; reduce substantially in winter. Established trees tolerate some drought, but fruit quality suffers.
Size
15-30 ft tall × 15-30 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Toxicity
Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant
Description
A productive fruit tree with large, lobed leaves and sweet, purple-black figs with strawberry-red flesh; well suited to Phoenix with adequate irrigation.
Bloom Time
Spring (flowers enclosed within the fruit)
Deciduous / Evergreen
Deciduous
Special Features
Heat Tolerant
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast
Growth Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Mature Size
15-30 ft tall × 15-30 ft wide
Flower Color
None (flowers enclosed in fruit)
Foliage Color
Medium green
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Edible / Orchard
Garden Style
Edible Garden
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Grape, Jujube, Pomegranate
Toxic if Ingested; Sap Irritant
Sap is a skin/eye irritant; foliage toxic to pets if ingested
Care Instructions
Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily; young trees benefit from light afternoon shade during extreme Phoenix heat.
Water: Deeply irrigate the root zone, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Water more frequently during summer heat and fruit development; reduce substantially in winter. Established trees tolerate some drought, but fruit quality suffers.
Soil: Well-drained loam preferred; tolerates sandy, clay, and moderately alkaline soils if drainage is adequate. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: 20–30 feet tall and wide if unpruned; can be maintained around 10–15 feet with regular pruning.
Bloom: Tiny flowers develop inside enclosed fig structures rather than appearing as visible blossoms. Often produces an early-summer crop on previous-year wood and a larger summer-to-fall crop on new growth.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate water and nutrients.