Magnolia fig (Ficus carica 'Magnolia'), also known as Brunswick fig, is the early bird of the fig world. It's typically the first variety to ripen in the season, producing large, soft, juicy fruit with a mild, pleasant sweetness. The skin is a rosy bronze-brown and the flesh is a soft amber-pink. In short, it's a beautiful fig, and a reliable one.

Magnolia is well known for fruiting consistently even when conditions aren't ideal, making it a great choice for gardeners who want dependable harvests year after year without a lot of fuss.

SHIPPING INFO: This product ships in May. We will try to ship within the ideal planting window for your growing zone.

 

Why Grow Magnolia Fig?

🥇 First to Ripen: Magnolia kicks off the fig season earlier than most varieties, so you're not waiting as long for that first harvest.

🍯 Mild, Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Large, juicy fruit with a gentle sweetness that works beautifully fresh, in jams, or in preserves.

💪 Tough and Reliable: Magnolia is known for producing well even when conditions aren't perfect—a dependable variety for home growers.

 

Growing Information

🌱 Plant Type: Perennial fruiting shrub/tree

🌱 Plant Height: 10–30 feet (easily kept smaller with pruning)

🌱 Hardiness Zones: 7–10 (can be grown in colder zones with winter protection or containers)

🌱 When to Plant: Spring, after last frost

🌱 When to Harvest: Mid to late summer; Magnolia is typically the earliest of the southern fig varieties to ripen

 

Cultivation Tips

• Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil. Figs tolerate a range of soil types but really don't like wet feet—good drainage is the most important factor.
• Sunlight: Full sun, 6–8+ hours per day, for best growth and fruit quality.
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, figs are fairly drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture during the growing season improves fruit size and yield—especially in containers.
• Harvesting: Figs do not continue to ripen after picking, so timing is everything. Harvest when the fruit softens, droops slightly on the stem, and shows its full color. A drop of nectar at the eye of the fig is another good sign it's ready.
• Container growing: Figs do well in large containers, which also makes it easier to overwinter them in colder climates. Move pots to a sheltered garage or basement once temperatures drop, and they'll come back strong in spring.
• Pruning: Figs are easy to keep to a manageable size with annual pruning in late winter. They respond well to hard pruning if needed.

Our Magnolia fig is greenhouse-grown and arrives as an established plant in a 3" pot, ready to go into the ground or a container.

Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.