Fig 'Chicago Hardy' (Ficus carica)
Sale price $22.95Cold-Hardy, Sweet-Fruited, and Built for Backyard Bounty
The Chicago Hardy Fig is a cold-tolerant fruit tree that combines resilience and rich flavor, making it one of the best fig varieties for northern growers and subtropical gardens alike. Also known as Bensonhurst Purple Fig, this hardy cultivar is celebrated for its ability to survive winter temperatures down to 10°F and regrow from the roots even after heavy frosts.
What truly sets Chicago Hardy apart is its delicious fruit—medium-sized figs with deep purple skin and lush, strawberry-colored flesh that’s sweet, juicy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for fresh eating, drying, jams, and preserves, these figs ripen from mid-summer through fall, often producing two crops per year in warmer climates.
This self-fertile, fast-growing variety can be grown in-ground in USDA Zones 6-10, or in large containers for gardeners in colder regions. Its attractive lobed foliage, compact form, and productive habit make it an excellent choice for edible landscapes, urban gardens, and food forests.
Plant Type:
Deciduous Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Spring, Summer, Fall
The first crop (breba) of fig fruit will ripen in late May through June, followed by the main crop will come in September through November.
Mature Size:
Fig trees grow up to 6-20 ft tall and wide, depending on variety. Growing fig trees in containers is quite easy, provided the roots have enough room to expand, and can also be pruned for bonsai or espalier. Fig trees go dormant and shed their leaves in the winter. This is an ideal time to prune.
Soil & Moisture:
Rich, moist, well-draining soil.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Fig trees also make really great houseplants indoors as long as they can get enough bright light.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 6-11; Patio/Greenhouse 4+.
Cold hardiness depends on variety.
Propagation:
Our Fig trees are grown from cutting or micro-propagation and are capable of fruiting within 1 or 2 years.
See More:
We carry several different varieties of figs, all with their own unique flavors and features. Shop our Fig Trees.
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
We ship every plant plastic-free and planet-friendly—using compostable packaging, recyclable pots, and carbon-conscious shipping from start to finish. 🌎🌱👉 Our Commitment to Packaging & Shipping Sustainability
