Olympian Fig

Scientific Name: Ficus carica 'Olympian'

Plant type

tree, shrub, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 6'-15'
W: 6'-15'

planting zones

6a-11

More Options

Olympian Fig plant details

Olympian Fig is a broadleaf deciduous fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring, summer and winter white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Olympian Fig

Plant type: fruit / vegetable, shrub or tree
Plant family: moraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 FT - 15 FT - wide, 6 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring, summer and winter
Uses: award-winning, compact, edible

GROWING CONDITIONS for Olympian Fig

USDA Zones: 6a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Ficus carica 'Olympian' is an extra hardy fig that can survive zone 6 winters and produces well in the Pacific Northwest and BC or other cool summer climates. It produces excellent, reliable crops with thin purple skin and red to violet flesh with great sweetness. It is a medium-sized fig growing to 6-8 feet tall which can be grown in the ground or in a large container.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Olympian Fig is hardier than most other fig varieties and will also produce crops in colder climates. Even at our nursery in zone 8, a lot of fig varieties will produce one crop early in the season and then fail to produce a strong second crop in the fall because the weather is getting cold. But 'Olympian' produces two crops consistently even in much shorter seasons than what we have here. Fruit is usually produced in the second or third year.

Pruning and Caring for Olympian Figs

Olympian is a medium to large size fig, so we prefer to prune the tops when young to ensure lots of branching down low to encourage fruit production where it is easily accessible. Prune in the winter down to three or four buds on each branch to encourage strong branching while leaving enough for fruiting the following season. As the trees mature, switch to pruning out branches that crowd other branches but no longer cutting back the main stems. You can top the tree to six feet to keep the plant smaller.

Figs prefer moist soils with lots of organic matter, consider adding shredded bark or compost when planting if your soil is poor. However, we have compact clay at our nursery and we still get at least 80% of the normal fruit production on un-amended trees so if you can't improve your soil it's not the end of the world. Fertilize with a slow release pelleted fertilizer in early spring, such as Osmocote Plus 18-18-18.

Propagating Olympian Figs

Figs are relatively easy to propagate from cuttings, especially in winter using hardwood cuttings. Cut stems five to eight inches long with the bottom cut just below a node, dip in rooting hormone and stick an inch deep in loose potting soil in mid winter.

By: Red Panda Nursery

First discovered in Olympia, Washington, 'Olympian' Fig bears fruit at an early age and has an abundant early first crop. The large purple figs are the size of tangerines and have a sweet, dark inner pulp. 'Olympian' is an award-winning fig that produces well in cool and costal climates since it's cold hardy to zone 6. It makes an ideal fig for home gardens in those climate zones.