Fig 'Kadota' (Ficus carica)
Sale price $22.95Golden-Skinned Classic with Honey-Sweet, Low-Acid Flesh
Kadota Fig is one of the most beloved and widely grown fig varieties, treasured for its golden-green skin, amber flesh, and smooth, honey-like flavor. Native to the Mediterranean and brought to California by early growers, Kadota is a reliable, heavy-bearing tree that thrives in warm, sunny climates. The fruit is less acidic than many other figs, making it one of the sweetest and mildest varieties—perfect for fresh eating, drying, or turning into classic fig jams. With its lush green leaves and consistent productivity, Kadota is a timeless addition to orchards, food forests, and edible landscapes.
Why You'll Love It:
- Produces large crops of golden-green figs with amber, honey-sweet flesh
- Low-acid, mild flavor ideal for fresh eating and preserves
- Heavy-bearing and dependable once established
- Excellent for drying, canning, and making fig jams
- Attractive tree with broad leaves and ornamental appeal
Growing Tips:
Plant Kadota Fig in full sun with well-drained soil. Figs are drought-tolerant once established but will produce more and sweeter fruit with regular deep watering. Prune in late winter to encourage airflow and maintain shape. Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Best suited for USDA Zones 8–10, but can be grown in containers and overwintered in colder climates. Expect fruit within 1–2 years from planting grafted or rooted cuttings.
| Italian Honey | Yellow Long Neck | Violette de Bordeaux | Olympian | Royal Vineyard | Brown Turkey | Little Ruby | Celeste | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ficus carica 'Italian Honey' | Ficus carica 'Yellow Long Neck' | Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux' | Ficus carica 'Olympian' | Ficus carica 'Royal Vineyard' | Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' | Ficus carica 'Little Ruby' | Ficus carica 'Celeste' |
| Common Names | Italian Honey, Lattarulla, White Marseilles | Yellow Long Neck Fig | Violette de Bordeaux, Negronne Fig | Olympian Fig | Royal Vineyard Fig | Brown Turkey Fig | Little Ruby Fig | Celeste Fig, Sugar Fig |
| Family | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae | Moraceae |
| Origin | Italy (Mediterranean) | Mediterranean cultivar | France | Washington State, USA | Mediterranean | Mediterranean | Cultivated variety | Southeastern U.S. heirloom |
| Plant Type | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Dwarf Deciduous Fruiting Tree | Deciduous Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Low Tree / Shrub Layer | Low Tree / Shrub Layer | Shrub / Low Tree Layer | Shrub / Low Tree Layer | Shrub / Low Tree Layer | Low Tree / Shrub Layer | Shrub / Low Tree Layer | Shrub / Low Tree Layer |
| Mature Size | 10–15 ft (smaller with pruning) | 8–15 ft | 6–10 ft (smaller with pruning) | 8–12 ft (prunable) | 8–12 ft | 10–20 ft (prunable) | 3–6 ft (dwarf) | 8–15 ft (prunable) |
| Light | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate; drought-tolerant | Moderate; well-draining soil | Moderate; well-draining soil | Moderate; well-draining soil | Moderate; well-draining soil | Moderate; drought-tolerant | Moderate; well-draining soil | Moderate; well-draining soil |
| Harvest Season | Early + Late Summer | Mid to Late Summer | Early + Late Summer | Mid to Late Summer | Mid to Late Summer | Early + Late Summer | Summer to Fall | Summer (main); early breba possible |
| Time to Fruit | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years | 1–2 years |
| Self-Fertile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast | Moderate to Fast | Fast | Moderate to Fast | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Zones | 7–10 | 7–10 | 7–10 | 6–10 | 7–10 | 7–10 | 7–10 | 7–10 |
| Florida Native | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Propagation | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings | Cuttings |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; cold-hardy to 0°F | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; fruits on new wood | Deciduous; winter dormant |
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ficus carica ‘Kadota’ |
| Common Names | Kadota Fig, Honey Fig, Italian Honey Fig |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Origin | Mediterranean region (cultivar selection) |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruit tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 15–25 ft tall x 15–20 ft wide (can be pruned smaller) |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained; sandy or loamy |
| Bloom Time | Inconspicuous (figs develop internally) |
| Flower Color | N/A |
| USDA Zones | 8–10 (container-friendly in colder zones) |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Cuttings, air layering |
| Seasonal Traits | Deciduous |
| Time to Harvest | 1–2 years (rooted cuttings); ripens late summer–fall |
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