Fig, Olympian, Bare Root

Olympian Fig (Ficus carica)

Olympian is a moderate-sized fig selected in the Pacific Northwest. Its large fruit and sweet violet-colored flesh make it useful for fresh eating, with earlier and later crops possible where the season allows.

Key Characteristics

Large fruit for fresh eating

The figs develop green to purple-toned skin around a sweet violet interior. Let them soften fully on the plant, then eat or refrigerate them promptly.

Two crops are possible, not promised

An early crop can develop on older wood and a later crop on new growth. Winter stem survival and summer warmth determine how much of each crop ripens.

A size suited to garden management

Olympian can be maintained as a modest tree or shrub with careful pruning. Preserve useful older wood when an early crop is a priority, and avoid heavy feeding that delays fruit maturity.

Fruiting and Pollination

Self-fertile; a second tree is not required.

Rootstock and Mature Size

Plan for approximately 8–12 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. Figs can also be managed as multistem shrubs or grown in large containers where winter protection is needed.

Product Details

• Sun: Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.
• Soil: medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.
• Mature height: Approximately 8–12 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.
• Bloom: Tiny flowers are enclosed inside the developing fig and are not showy.
• Fruit: Large green to purple-toned figs with sweet violet flesh.
• Uses: Fresh eating, canning, drying, and preserves.
• Ripening: July–October where both crops mature
• Chill hours: Low chill, generally 300 hours or less; summer warmth and winter stem survival are more important for harvest planning.
• Pollination: Self-fertile; no second tree required.
• USDA hardiness: Zones 7–9.

General Fig Growing Guidance

A good start

Choose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.

Fertility and fruit-tree guilds

Use a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.

Interested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our fruit-tree guild guide for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.

Practical pest and disease care

Figs need summer warmth as well as winter survival to ripen fruit. Keep watering steady as fruit swells, pick only when fully ripe, and protect ripening fruit from birds and insects. In colder regions, protect stems or move containers to a sheltered dormant location; root survival alone does not guarantee a crop.