Common fig (Ficus carica 'Petite Negra')
Ficus carica 'Petite Negra' is a dwarf Common fig perfect for containers, offering showy, edible deep purple fruit in small spaces.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’, a desirable cultivar of the Common fig, offers gardeners the opportunity to cultivate delicious fruit in small environments. This variety is noted for its compact, manageable size, maturing typically between 2 to 3 feet tall, making container gardening its specialty. Gardeners value this plant for its striking appearance, featuring attractive mitten-shaped green leaves that contrast beautifully with the developing deep purple fruit.
As a small deciduous shrub, Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ requires attention to its specific cultural needs, particularly regarding winter protection in colder zones. While the general Common fig species can become a large tree, cultivating the ‘Petite Negra’ in pots allows for easy relocation indoors when temperatures become harsh, ensuring a reliable harvest season after season. Its ability to produce edible figs reliably makes it both an ornamental specimen and a highly productive edible landscape plant.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Moraceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Green
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Figs establish best when planted in organically rich, moist, and well-drained soils. While optimal conditions are found in USDA Zones 8-10 with full sun exposure for best fruiting, growers in Zones 7 can still succeed by utilizing protected locations, such as planting against a south-facing wall and applying heavy root mulch. For those in Zone 7, remember that dips below 15°F can cause significant dieback, and additional winter coverage may be necessary.
Watering the Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ needs to be consistent and regular throughout the active growing season to support fruit development. This plant requires medium water input to thrive. As autumn approaches and the plant prepares for dormancy or overwintering, gradually reduce the frequency of watering. This signals the plant to slow its growth cycle.
For container-grown plants, which is common for the smaller ‘Petite Negra’ variety, providing adequate drainage is crucial, as sitting in soggy soil invites problems. Containers must be carefully managed for winter. They must be brought indoors before the first hard frost, ideally into a bright window, basement, or garage, to successfully overwinter the plant and protect it from freezing winter temperatures.
Landscape Uses
The compact nature of Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ makes it an exceptional choice for patio and deck plantings where space is limited. It functions perfectly as a standalone specimen in a decorative container, showcasing its attractive foliage and ripening fruit throughout the summer months. Although the species is known for larger growth, this cultivar excels near entrances or sun-drenched seating areas where its beauty can be appreciated up close.
Because many fig cultivars are parthenocarpic, meaning they do not require cross-pollination to produce fruit, they integrate easily into mixed container gardens or small edible landscapes without needing specialized partners. When grown outdoors in warmer zones, the Common fig can offer structure near foundations or along protected borders, though container growing remains the most practical application for zone management outside of the deep South.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ficus carica, commonly called common fig, is a deciduous shrub (to 10-15’ tall) or small tree (to 15-30’ tall). It is noted for its spreading habit, attractive foliage and edible fruit. Old trees with smooth silver-gray bark (sometime gnarled with age) are ornamentally attractive. Large, palmate, hairy, 3-5 lobed leaves (to 10” long) are rough dark green above and smooth light green beneath. Non-showy greenish flowers form in spring inside hollow receptacles near the branch growing tips. The fruit (edible fig) develops within each receptacle. The main fruit crop ripens in late summer or fall on new wood. In some areas, a lesser crop may appear in spring on new wood. Species plants as well as most fig cultivars are parthenocarpic (fruits develop without cross pollination).Genus name comes from the Latin name for the edible fig.Specific epithet refers to Caria, a region in Anatolia (Asia Minor) known for growing figs.‘Petite Negra’ is commonly grown in containers where it matures to 2-3’ tall. Deep purple figs (negra meaning black) ripen on plants clad with attractive mitten-shaped green leaves. Containers may be set outside in summer and brought indoors to a bright window in winter.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Gardeners should monitor Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ for common fruit tree pests, including root knot nematodes, scale insects, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Fungal issues such as leaf spots, rust, and blight can also appear, especially in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor within the foliage or container. Promptly harvesting ripe fruit is important, as overripe figs can weep and become sticky, attracting pests and creating a mess below the branches.
Management is often cultural; ensure good airflow around the containerized plant and inspect leaves regularly for early signs of infestation. Systemic treatments may be necessary for persistent issues like scale. Since this variety is often grown in pots, check the roots annually for root knot nematodes, which severely impede water and nutrient uptake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Common fig suitable for?
Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 9, though plants in Zone 7 require careful winter protection, especially when temperatures drop below 15°F.
How large does Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ grow?
This cultivar is specifically valued for its small stature, typically reaching a height and spread between 2 to 3 feet when grown in containers.
What sun exposure does Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ need?
This Common fig thrives best when positioned in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade; however, reduced sunlight may impact fruit production.
When does Common fig bloom?
Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ is classified as a seasonal bloomer, producing small, greenish, non-showy flowers held within the developing fruit receptacles during the growing season.
Conclusion
The Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ offers a fantastic compact solution for growing flavorful, edible fruit, making the Common fig experience accessible even on small patios. Its manageable size and attractive semi-tropical foliage ensure ornamental appeal alongside its tasty harvest of deep purple figs. Before planting, ensure you are prepared for its container management needs, particularly planning for successful overwintering if you reside outside of the warmest recommended zones.
Container Growing
Growing Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ in containers is the recommended practice, especially for gardeners needing to manage overwintering requirements. Select a pot large enough to accommodate growth for several seasons, ensuring it has excellent drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which is detrimental to fig roots. Use a high-quality, slightly acidic potting mix augmented with compost for organic richness.
When overwintering containers, significantly reduce fertilizer and water in the fall. The plant should be moved indoors before exposure to freezing temperatures. A cool, dark location like a garage or basement works well after the plant has dropped its leaves, provided temperatures stay consistently above freezing but ideally below 50°F, mimicking a necessary dormant period for the plant’s long-term health.
Companion Planting
When pairing Ficus carica ‘Petite Negra’ with other plants in containers, select companions that share similar full sun and medium water needs. Consider herbs like rosemary or thyme, which thrive in these well-drained, bright conditions, offering both fragrance and utility around your patio fig. If planting near other large shrubs or trees in the ground (in Zones 8-9), ensure the fig has enough room for its roots and avoid species that aggressively compete for moisture.
Companion planting near the base of established figs outdoors can sometimes utilize groundcover plants that tolerate high summer heat and do not require excessive moisture during the dormant season. Remember that the Common fig is deciduous, so choose companions that either die back gracefully or maintain visual interest when the fig is bare in winter.
