Plant of the Month: February 2026

Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 1st February 2026

Family: Moraceae (includes mulberry, breadfruit, jackfruit; Moraceae is also known as the mulberry or fig family)
Genus: Ficus (includes fig trees)

Botanical/Binomial Name: Ficus carica
Meaning of Name:
Ficus, from Latin fīcus (‘fig’); and
carica, a type of fig from Caria, a historical region in modern Turkey

Common Names: Fig, Common Fig
Cultivar: White Genoa

Botanical Characteristics: Woody | Perennial | Deciduous | Frost hardy

Item Description:
YOUR CHOICE TO BUY WITH OR WITHOUT THE 3 L AIR-POT

Photos are indicative of, but not necessarily, the exact tree received.

Each tree has been grown in a 3 L Air-Pot ® so as to develop a dense, air-pruned root ball packed with fine roots. This root ball enables a greater uptake of water and nutrients, and gives the tree every advantage when potted up or planted out.

The Air-Pot is an optional extra when purchasing these trees.
Each tree will be packed in a strong plastic bag to protect the roots if you do not wish to buy the Air-Pot.

The tree in the first photo is about 600 mm tall including the Air-Pot.

Dimensions of the 3 L Air-Pot:
Inside diameter: 160 mm
Outside diameter: 195 mm
Height: 215 mm

The top two rows of cones are closed and act as a water reservoir.

Plant Description:
The common fig Ficus carica is a deciduous tree native to the Mediterranean area as well as into western and southern Asia. It is easily recogniseable by its large, deeply-lobed leaves and smooth bark. The common fig has been cultivated for millennia, with many cultivars now grown world-wide for the very popular fruit which can be eaten fresh, dried or processed.

Fruits of the common fig can develop without pollination (known as parthenocarpy). This differs from fruit production on a self-fertile tree, which does require pollination to produce fruit. But the end-result is the same, in that only one tree is required for fruit.

Description of Fruit:
White Genoa is a sweet, medium to large-sized fig with a yellow-green skin and pink-red interior. This is an old, popular and prolific variety with excellent taste.

Growing Information:
The common fig prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil which is neutral to slightly alkaline. It does well in either a large pot or the ground, but requires regular fertilising if in a pot. Apply a slow-relewse fetiliser in spring if in the ground.

Keep the tree well-watered during hot, dry summers, and when deciduous in winter, prune lightly to remove dead branches and to keep the interior of the tree open to light and air-flow.

Older, established trees can be pruned back by half to encourage new growth.

Young trees will need protection from frost for the first two winters, but become frost-hardy once established.