Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Greater Poland Voivodeship, Holy Cross Voivodeship, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Łódź Voivodeship, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Lublin Voivodeship, Lubusz Voivodeship, Masovian Voivodeship, Opole Voivodeship, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Silesian Voivodeship, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship) it may not survive winter without protection.

Is Common fig toxic to dogs?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to dogs.

Is Common fig toxic to cats?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to cats.

Is Common fig toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Common fig be planted?

Plant it at least 6 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

How much water does Common fig need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Common fig

Ficus carica

Common fig (Ficus carica) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Mildly toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about PLN 65.

Illustration of Common fig — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A shrub or small tree with big lobed leaves and a Mediterranean look that gives sweet fruit from late summer into autumn in a warm, sheltered spot. Garden varieties that set fruit without pollination crop from a single plant, but check that you are buying one of those, because Smyrna-type figs ripen nothing without the fig wasp. Plant it in sun in front of a south-facing wall and expect it to be cut back by frost in a hard winter.

Watch out for

In Central Europe it is borderline hardy: young plants are cut back at around -15 °C and older ones in a sheltered spot at about -18 to -20 °C, in a hard winter right down to the ground. The roots usually survive and it resprouts from the base in spring, but expect a smaller or late crop that year. For the first years mulch the base thickly with leaves and wrap the branches in fleece during severe frost. In a cool, wet autumn the late fruit does not ripen, and overripe fallen figs leave a sticky mess that attracts wasps.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

All details

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	3–9 m × 3–9 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	no data
Harvest	August–October
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 6 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic
For cats	Mildly toxic
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about PLN 65

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 65

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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