Fig
Ficus carica
Also called Figs, Fig tree and Brown Turkey
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitSTARVE THE ROOTS. A fig planted in open ground makes six metres of leaf and no fruit; boxed into a 60cm pit lined with slabs, it fruits. Wear sleeves — the sap plus sunlight burns skin.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun, against a warm wall
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 3 m tall · 3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Tree
- Origin
- Western Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleIrritates skin
The milky sap. Safe to eat: the ripe fruit.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS: harmful to skin in sunlight. Cover your arms to prune it on a bright day.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.