(Ficus carica)
If you live in an area with freezing winters, Chicago Hardy fig is the way to go. While branches are hardy to 10F, roots are even hardier down to -20F! So even in cold winters with severe dieback, Chicago Hardy will send up new stems. The main fig crop of Chicago Hardy is produced on new wood, so even with complete die back, well-established plants will still fruit the same year. Fruit is very tender and sweet, ripening to a dark purple in the fall. Figs are fast growing, easy to maintain, and produce a strong root system. We have never experienced any pests or diseases on these plants.
Flavor profile: Sweet, berry, jammy
Hardiness zone: 5-10
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soil with pH 5.5-6.5
Mature height: 10-12’ in warmer climates, 4-5’ with winter dieback
Spacing: 10-15’ spacing in cold climates, 20-25’ in warmer climates
Pollination: Chicago Hardy figs are self-fertile, so only one plant is required for fruit
Planting tips: Figs thrive in well drained, fertile soil with full sun. Select a protected site against a south-facing wall to minimize winter dieback and increase fruit production. Water plants regularly during establishment.
Growing tips: You can still get fruit from plants that die back every winter, but higher yields can be obtained by limiting winter damage. Planting in a warm microclimate like near a south-facing wall can help. Another option is to prune branches back to a manageable size, 2-4’, and cover with some form of insulation, like burlap, wool, or leaves. Our unprotected Chicago Hardy figs in zone 6B have died back to the ground in colder winters (0F nights), but still produce a few dozen figs the following season.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
(Ficus carica)
If you live in an area with freezing winters, Chicago Hardy fig is the way to go. While branches are hardy to 10F, roots are even hardier down to -20F! So even in cold winters with severe dieback, Chicago Hardy will send up new stems. The main fig crop of Chicago Hardy is produced on new wood, so even with complete die back, well-established plants will still fruit the same year. Fruit is very tender and sweet, ripening to a dark purple in the fall. Figs are fast growing, easy to maintain, and produce a strong root system. We have never experienced any pests or diseases on these plants.
Flavor profile: Sweet, berry, jammy
Hardiness zone: 5-10
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soil with pH 5.5-6.5
Mature height: 10-12’ in warmer climates, 4-5’ with winter dieback
Spacing: 10-15’ spacing in cold climates, 20-25’ in warmer climates
Pollination: Chicago Hardy figs are self-fertile, so only one plant is required for fruit
Planting tips: Figs thrive in well drained, fertile soil with full sun. Select a protected site against a south-facing wall to minimize winter dieback and increase fruit production. Water plants regularly during establishment.
Growing tips: You can still get fruit from plants that die back every winter, but higher yields can be obtained by limiting winter damage. Planting in a warm microclimate like near a south-facing wall can help. Another option is to prune branches back to a manageable size, 2-4’, and cover with some form of insulation, like burlap, wool, or leaves. Our unprotected Chicago Hardy figs in zone 6B have died back to the ground in colder winters (0F nights), but still produce a few dozen figs the following season.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
