“Fig tree” can mean either an edible common fig (Ficus carica) or one of several ornamental plants in the wider Ficus genus. If you want fruit, choose a common fig cultivar suited to your climate; the houseplants in this list are grown for their foliage, not as substitutes for an edible fig tree.
These seven practical choices include three edible common figs—one species and two of its cultivars—and four ornamental ficuses with different growth habits. Their suitability depends on your growing space and local winter conditions.
Which type of fig should you choose?
- For edible fruit: Choose Ficus carica and select a cultivar using local climate guidance. Common figs produce fruit without pollination in North American growing guidance from North Carolina State Extension. Florida’s UF/IFAS guidance recommends common fig cultivars including Celeste, Brown Turkey, and Ischia.
- For indoor foliage: Consider weeping fig, fiddle-leaf fig, or rubber plant, choosing according to available light and room.
- For a climbing or ground-covering plant: Creeping fig grows differently from an upright, tree-shaped houseplant.
Regional recommendations are not guarantees: a cultivar described as cold-hardy may not reliably survive or fruit in every garden with the same zone rating.
Seven fig trees and ficus plants to consider
1. Common fig (Ficus carica)
The common fig is the fruiting tree or shrub in this selection. It is deciduous and spreading, and it can be grown in the ground or in a container. Container growing may help gardeners with limited space or cold winters, but it requires a plan for winter shelter. North Carolina State Extension’s profile advises that container plants be overwintered indoors; Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends moving container figs to a protected, temperature-controlled area as winter approaches.
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2. ‘Brown Turkey’
‘Brown Turkey’ is an edible cultivar of the common fig, not a separate species. UF/IFAS includes it among cultivars recommended for Florida, while the Morton Arboretum describes it as adaptable for northern climates. Those regional recommendations make it a cultivar worth investigating, not a promise of equal results everywhere.
3. ‘Chicago Hardy’
‘Chicago Hardy’ is another edible common fig cultivar. The Morton Arboretum describes it as suitable for cold climates and reports hardiness to zone 5 in its profile. Treat that as the arboretum’s regional guidance; the designation does not guarantee survival or a crop in every garden in that zone.
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4. Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
Weeping fig is an ornamental indoor tree in temperate regions. North Carolina State Extension says it prefers bright, indirect light and can drop leaves after a change in light or location, so avoid moving it repeatedly. Keep it away from cold drafts. In warm climates it is also used outdoors, but UF/IFAS notes its frost sensitivity and large, spreading roots—a relevant consideration when choosing a landscape location.
5. Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
Fiddle-leaf fig is a tropical ornamental commonly kept as a houseplant in temperate regions. Its large leaves and overall scale make it a better fit for a larger room than a crowded corner. In summer, a container may be placed on a sheltered deck or patio and brought indoors as temperatures fall, following North Carolina State Extension’s guidance.
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6. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber plant is a broad-leaved ornamental houseplant popular in temperate climates, according to North Carolina State Extension. Despite the common name “fig,” it is not the edible common fig and should be selected for foliage rather than fruit.
7. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping fig is a climbing vine or ground cover, not an upright tree specimen. It can grow over vertical surfaces or spread as ground cover; North Carolina State Extension also lists miniature and variegated cultivars. Choose it when its trailing or climbing habit suits the space better than a freestanding indoor tree.
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How to grow an edible fig in a container
Container growing can make a fruiting fig manageable where garden space is limited or winter conditions call for moving the plant under cover. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends full sun, good drainage, and a protected winter location.
- Choose a container with drainage. Plastic, ceramic, or fabric containers can work if water can drain freely. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends at least one drainage hole in the bottom.
- Start with a pot proportionate to the plant. Move up to a larger container as the roots fill the current one rather than beginning with an oversized pot.
- Use quality potting mix. The extension guidance recommends a quality mix but does not prescribe one formula for every fig.
- Give the plant full sun. Place the container where the fig receives full sun during the growing season.
- Plan winter shelter around local conditions. As winter approaches, move the container to a protected, temperature-controlled space. The appropriate shelter depends on your local climate; it need not be a living area if another suitable protected space is available.
How to choose a fruiting fig for your climate
Start with local growing guidance rather than assuming a cultivar name guarantees cold tolerance. UF/IFAS’s cultivar recommendations are for Florida; the Morton Arboretum’s notes address northern climates. For a practical northern-climate answer, its profile identifies ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Chicago Hardy,’ while still leaving survival and fruiting dependent on actual conditions.
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Pollination guidance can also vary by fig type and region. UF/IFAS says common figs do not require pollination in its Florida guidance, unlike caprifig, Smyrna, and San Pedro types, which it says rely on a specific wasp not found in Florida. This is regional advice, so use local extension recommendations when selecting a fruiting fig.
Quick Recap
Quick comparison
| Plant | Primary use | Growth form | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common fig (Ficus carica) | Edible fruit | Deciduous tree or shrub | Choose for local climate; container plants need a winter shelter plan. |
| ‘Brown Turkey’ | Edible fruit | Common fig cultivar | Regional guidance includes Florida and northern climates; results vary by location. |
| ‘Chicago Hardy’ | Edible fruit | Common fig cultivar | The Morton Arboretum reports zone 5 hardiness; this is not a universal guarantee. |
| Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) | Ornamental foliage | Indoor tree; also used outdoors in warm climates | Bright indirect light; may drop leaves after changes in light or location. |
| Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) | Ornamental foliage | Large-leaved indoor tree | Needs room for its large foliage; can spend summer in a sheltered outdoor spot. |
| Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) | Ornamental foliage | Broad-leaved houseplant | Not the edible common fig. |
| Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) | Ornamental foliage | Climber or ground cover | Its spreading or climbing habit differs from an upright indoor tree. |
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