Black Mission Fig

Scientific Name: Ficus carica 'Black Mission'

Also Known As

Beers Black Fig
Franciscan Fig

Plant type

tree, shrub, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 15'-20'
W: 8'-15'

planting zones

7a-11

More Options

Black Mission Fig plant details

Black Mission Fig is a broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree with green foliage. and black fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular water. Does well in acidic and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Black Mission Fig

Plant type: fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree
Plant family: moraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 8 FT - 15 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
Uses: border plant, container plant, easy-to-grow, edible, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Black Mission Fig

USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer, seaside / salt
Soil needs: acidic and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Black Mission Fig Tree hybrid was discovered growing near a California monastery over a hundred years ago. Because of this fig's high sugar content, the Tree has become a favorite fruit for eating fresh and drying. Can be grown as a tree or as a shrub. Its a beautiful tree when full grown. AAA+ cold hardy, all around great variety.

By: Florida Hill Nursery

'Black Mission' Fig is the most famous fig in cultivation. It produces two sizeable crops a year and its sweet distinct fig flavor is delicious whether eaten fresh or dried. Grow in full sun outside in the garden. Mulch with hay and wrap well to overwinter in marginal planting zones. Or grow inside in a pot. If the temperatures get cool inside and light levels drop, the fig will go dormant. However, as soon as the day length increases and the warm weather returns your fig will begin its cycle all over again.

By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

BLACK MISSION FIG (EDIBLE) - A picturesque tree with large lobed leaves and smooth grey bark. Growing 15-20' tall in sun. May also be grown in containers. Hardy zone 7-11. Will produce sweet purplish black skin figs twice a season, early and late summer. Distinct fig flavor, fresh or dried. Sweet strawberry red flesh. Plants are grown and shipped in 4.5" Pots with growth approx 10-12".

By: Accents for Home and Garden

The sweet dark figs of Mission are the number one favorite for drying. Mission is one of the most widely grown figs in California producing heavy crops of medium to large dark purplish-black pear-shaped fruit with a rich, sweet strawberry red pulp. Good fresh or preserved. Black Mission is self-pollinating and may produce a light breba crop. A good choice for the South as well. The small eye makes it resistant to spoiling.According to Condit, Black Mission, or more correctly the Franciscana Fig, was carried to a mission in San Diego around 1768 by Franciscan monks from Baja California. Fig trees do best where they get at least 8 hours of direct sun per day. Once well established they are fairly drought tolerant but extended dry periods can cause leaf and fruit drop as well as early dormancy. A deep organic mulch will help to alleviate extremes in moisture levels, reduce nematode issues, as well as to reduce competition from weeds.