Fig, Ischia


S & J Nursery’s Ischia Fig Trees

For Northeast Florida Gardens


Green Ischia Fig Trees / Verte Fig / White Ischia Ficus Carica

Ischia Fig Trees For Northeast Florida Origins:Ischia Fig Trees for Northeast Flroida Gardens

All varieties of Fig tree are native to Mediterranean climates where the air is hot and dry. The Ischia fig tree is a selection of the classification known as the ‘Common Fig’. It is also found under the names of Ischia Verte or just Verte and also White Ischia or Strawberry Fig. The fruit is green ripening to a yellow green and has a closed eye. Small to medium in size Ischia figs have a dark Strawberry red colored flesh and excellent flavor.

All common figs do well in our North East Florida’s hot and humid climate and Green Ischia makes a perfect addition to the landscape.

Sun Exposure for the Ischia Fig trees for Northeast Florida:

Plant Common fig tree varieties in a full sun location for best results.

Foliage and Bark of the Green Ischia Fig Trees:

Green Ischia fig trees have deeply cut leaves that to me are a bit prettier than other selections, nice medium green color still quite large with leaves 6 – 8+ inches long. That big bold foliage adds an instant tropical effect to the landscape and really makes a nice specimen in the garden.

Foliage of the Ischia fig tree / ficus carica is deciduous and will fall off of the tree once temperatures drop for the winter season here in Northeast Florida in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area.  

The bark of the Ischia fig tree is a pretty gray color and smooth to the touch on all but the oldest of trees where the bark can become a bit more gnarly and textured. Figs have a strong trunk and branch pattern adding to their ornamental value. Very pretty when uplit by landscape lighting from beneath.

Soil Preference for the Ischia Fig / Verte Fig Tree:

Common Figs are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and components providing they are planted into well draining soils. Despite its ability to tolerate poor soils, it is best to amend the soil with generous amounts of garden compost when planting into North Florida’s sandy soils to help the tree fight off nematode infestations, hold water from irrigating and provide a rich source of nutrients to give your new S & J Nursery container grown fig tree the best start possible.

Size of the Ischia Fig Tree When Mature:

The mature size on a Ischia fig tree can range from 10 – 30 feet depending on how it has been pruned when young.

Pruning and Growth Habits of Green Ischia Fig Trees for the Northeast Florida Landscape:

Figs are a moderate to fast growing fruit tree. They require no pruning to bear fruit, but are often pruned to an open center to increase the amount of air flow and sunlight into the center of the tree. Check out the following link that opens a new window for more information…

Pruning And Growth Habit of the Common Fig In Northeast Florida

S & J Nursery’s guide to pruning and growth habits of the Common Fig in Northeast Florida landscapes, pruning figs in the Jacksonville/ St. Augustine area edible landscapes.

Blooms and Fruit of  Ischia Fig Trees for Northeast Florida Landscape:

Flowers of the Common Fig trees are green and very small, they are born on the branches at the leaf axils ( where the leaves come off of the branches), they are inconspicuous and not showy at all until the fruits begin to form.

Ischia fig trees are self pollinating meaning you can plant one tree and it will produce fruit without the presence of a second tree to serve as the pollinator.

Ischia fig trees are considered ever-bearing because the trees can produce a small crop of fruit called ‘breba’ crop in early spring, and ripen in late spring or early summer. Then the main crop will form and ripen in late summer and fall. You can reasonably expect the main crop of fruit on these trees to be ripening from July to September.

Ischia / Verte fig fruit is green and small to medium in size maturing to a yellow green color with a deep strawberry red flesh. Excellent flavor. 

Water and Fertilizer Requirements of the Ischia Fig:

Properly watering and fertilizing your newly planted fig trees can help not only keep them healthy but keep them producing those great tasting figs!

How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree to Maximize Health and Fruit Production

S & J Nursery’s How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree for the Common Fig, Help for growing figs in the Northeast Florida, Jacksonville and St. Augustine area landscape

Wildlife attracted to Ischia Fig Trees:

As we all know fresh figs are a special kind of delicacy, but we are certainly not the only ones to have found that out. They are loved by local birds, squirrels, gophers, racoons, rabbits and even ants! I take my Moms old fashioned organic gardening advice on this problem and plant two so that I have enough to share!

Harvesting your Fresh Figs:

 Figs will slip right off the tree when handled if ripe. Harvest them when the fruit has changed to its mature color and begins to droop. Figs don’t continue to ripen once removed from the tree so its best to harvest when ripe for the sweetest flavor possible.