Chicago Cold Hardy Fig Tree

Ficus carica ‘Chicago Cold Hardy’

NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-11 Find Your Zone

Chilling Hours: 100 Learn more here

Ripens: Early season

Pollinator: None required

Plant Type: Deciduous Fruit Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′

Growth Habit / Form: Broad, Rounded, Upright

Growth Rate: Fast to Very Fast

Flower Color: Green, insignificant

Foliage Color: Deep Green

Fruit Color: Purplish-brown
Fruit Size: Medium – bell-shaped
Fruit Taste: Very sweet, excellent flavor!
Soluble Sugar: 11-12%

Ripening Period: Summer, a second fall crop in warmer climates

Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Silt, Sand

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 6.0 – 6.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Description

‘Chicago Cold Hardy’ is the most cold hardy fig on earth – hardy in USDA Zones 5 thru 10! Chicago Cold Hardy is self-pollinating and exceptionally easy to grow. The plant produces high-yields of delicious, medium size fruit, and is heat and drought tolerant when established. In colder climates the plant will die back and resume growth in spring. The sweet, purple fruits ripen and are ready to harvest in mid summer and continue through late fall. If you’ve tried other figs unsuccessfully the Chicago Hardy might just be the one you’ll have success with!

NOTE: In USDA Zone 5 it would be a good idea to provide some winter protection for your Chicago Cold Hardy Fig Tree. A heavy layer of mulch will help protect the roots during winter. Planting your tree on the east side of a home, or where it will be sheltered from north and western winds, will also help to provide protection during the cool season.

NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Interested in edible landscaping? What could be more enjoyable and rewarding than installing a landscape you can eat? Fig trees are a fine specimens for use in the edible landscape. Their large and bold leaves provide a tropical effect in the landscape and you’ll be rewarded with loads of delicious figs! Chicago Cold Hardy Fig is ideal for use in the home orchard or as a specimen or warm season privacy hedge in landscape borders.

Growing Preferences

Fig trees will grow reasonably well in most soil types. They produce the best fruit in moderately to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. In soil with low fertility it’ll be worth your time to mix in some organic compost to the native soil. They like the soil to hold a good supply of water, especially when the fruits are developing in summer, but not so much water that the soil stays constantly soggy or wet, which can be problematic. The best and most fruits will are produced when trees are growing in full sun. However, fig trees that receive a little shade during the hottest part of summer days will still produce good crops.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for fig trees.

How To Plant A Fig Tree

How To Fertilize & Water A Fig Tree

How To Prune A Fig Tree

What Are Chill Hours For Fruit Trees?

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

I ordered this fig tree as a gift, and couldn’t have been more pleased. (as was the recipient!) The plant was packaged beautifully and safely and it arrived quickly. The tree was very healthy and some of the figs had already started to grow which was fantastic. The reviews I read of this plant were all positive, and now I see why. I will definitely be purchasing more plants from Wilson Brothers Gardens!————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered a 3-gallon Chicago fig. It came carefully packed in a box well designed to protect the plant. It was healthy and undamaged. It arrived with immature figs already on it and is putting on new growth. I couldn’t be more pleased and will order again with confidence. BTW, the fig plant was packed together with an Apache Thornless Blackberry plant that also was in good condition and already had ripening blackberries on it. Planted it right away and it has already yielded 15 ripe, tasty, sweet blackberries.—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This is my 1st order with Wilson Bros Garden. The fig tree arrived in perfect condition due to excellent packaging. I could not be happier. So, I will be ordering a Pomegranate tree as soon as the variety I need is in stock. An excellent company to deal with, with outstanding support and first-rate products.——————————————————Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This was the first time I placed an order with Wilson Bros., and I was completely satisfied with the quality and packaging of the Chicago Hardy Fig tree I received. I planted it in my yard about 10 days ago and I already have a fig growing on the tree and it has more than doubled in size, Because I was so pleased with this order, I placed my second order with Wilson Bros. for a Lady Laura Camellia.—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I was surprised at how quickly my tree arrived. The packaging was great, a nice sturdy box and plastic around the pot to keep the dirt in place. The tree looks to be about 2 1/2 feet tall and I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows in the spring!—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Miss you guys. Used to live in McDonough. Moved back to Maine about 7 years ago. I was looking for a Chicago Fig and when
I saw “Wilson Brothers,” I said, that can’t be my favorite one. It was. You were my favorite garden center and one of my friends I made there was Sunny. Thank you so much. Have a great holiday. Thrilled I was able to get my fig from you.I know I’ll have to really baby it here.——————————————————Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful tree, arrived healthy and promptly. Very helpful staff when I called with questions.————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered the Chicago cold hardy Fig as a gift for a friend in the 3 gallon size. It arrived quickly and in perfect shape. At about 30” tall above the pot surface so I was very pleased of its size. It also was covered with plenty of crisp green foliage and two small developing figs. Thank you for providing a quality product, and delivering it safely.
Best wishes.———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope your friend enjoys it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The Chicago Hardy Fig Plant arrived very well packed and is growing great. It is so healthy looking. Thanks for the great service.———————-We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

I purchased two of the 3 gal trees and couldn’t be happier! They are sturdy, came well packed and meet all of my expectations.—————————————————-Hi Patricia, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Chicago Cold Hardy Fig Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Fabulous packing, and FAST shipping… Cross-Country… arrived in a week.. with Zero damage to box and or tree….
Tree has already began transitioning into new growth… sitting in a grow tent w/ ample lighting waiting on spring…..—————————WBG Reply: Hi T.S., Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Chicago Cold Hardy Fig. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens