LSU Purple Fig

Scientific Name: Ficus carica 'LSU-Purple'

Also Known As

Ficus carica 'Louisiana Purple LSU'
Ficus carica 'LSU Purple'
Louisiana Purple LSU Fig Tree

Plant type

tree, shrub, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 6'-12'
W: 6'-12'

planting zones

7a-11

More Options

LSU Purple Fig plant details

LSU Purple Fig is a broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LSU Purple Fig

Plant type: fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree
Plant family: moraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 FT - 12 FT - wide, 6 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall, spring and summer
Uses: edible, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for LSU Purple Fig

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Ficus carica 'LSU Purple' is a tasty fig much loved by connoisseurs with reddish burgundy to deep purple glossy skin and sweet strawberry-coloured flesh. It is less hardy than other cultivars and should be grown in a hot protected location outdoors in coastal BC or in containers elsewhere where the trees can be protected in the winter and moved out in summer. It can produce figs from an early age and multiple crops each year if given enough heat.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

louisiana purple fig is considered a AAA+ fresh eating var. of fig. The fruit is a brilliant purple with a red flesh. zones 7-11, all around great variety. Ships to the continental United States only.

By: Florida Hill Nursery

The purplest of all figs on the outside with a light strawberry color inside makes this Louisiana introduction well loved by fig connoisseurs. Besides the pleasing flavor of 'LSU Purple,' it also produces an abundance of fruit within the first year when grown in a container; after 5 years, it can produce up to three crops of figs in a single season. 'LSU Purple' has the ability to produce figs on last year's wood and on new growth. Try it and you'll see why people have been raving about this new purple fig.

By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

LSU Purple produces medium sized dark reddish-purple, generally pear shaped figs with amber to strawberry pulp with a mild sweet flavor. Developed by Dr. Ed O'Rourke at LSU for disease and nematode resistance as well as the hot and humid Southern climate, it produces a breba crop and a large main crop providing fruit over a long season. 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.