Chicago Hardy Fig Tree

This item is out of stock.

Supplies are limited so make sure you don't miss out next time by having us automatically notify you when it becomes available again.

Description

About Chicago Hardy Fig Trees

The Chicago Hardy Fig tree is known for being especially cold hardy and producing small, brown to purple colored figs. The inside of the fruit is colored a lovely shade that looks like strawberry jam. This plant is also known as the Bensonhurst Purple fig or the Hardy Chicago.

It is productive and easy to grow, exhibiting drought-tolerance once established. The Chicago Hardy may die back in colder climates and resume growth in the spring. It bears fruit early on the new growth. Figs that grow on the older wood will appear in early summer. This plant is heat tolerant and self-pollinating, meaning that it does not need to be planted near another variety of fig to produce fruit.

This is the perfect plant to accent your patio—with the bonus of fresh figs! The cheerful foliage has attractive broad leaves, and the figs grow green until ripening into darker fruit. When planting in containers, the fig can be brought indoors during the winter months.

Using the Fruit and Leaves

Fig trees, ficus carica, have been a favorite fruit tree since ancient times, loved for their sweetness and rich flavor. They are enjoyable to eat fresh and can be used in salads, charcuteries, and with cheese. Chefs use their sweet flavor for desserts, and they can be dehydrated, canned, and frozen.

Figs are a good source of fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also high in vitamins A and C.

Even the leaf is a source of food from this productive tree! The broad, flat leaves are often used for grilling, steaming, and baking, where they impart a smoky flavor to other foods. Additionally, the dehydrated leaves can be made into tea.

Growing Chicago Hardy Fig Trees

Grown in the ground, the Chicago Hardy Fig can reach between ten to fifteen feet in height. In a garden pot, the tree’s height will be reduced by the size of the container. Fig trees thrives in warm climates with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. These deciduous trees yield delicious fruits and can be cultivated in both outdoor gardens and large containers, providing ample space for their expansive growth.

Overwintering Fig Trees in Cooler Climates

If you experience temperatures below freezing, then additional winter protection is necessary for best results.

Potted figs should be placed in an insulated, unheated, preferably dark room or cool basement. Water them monthly until just moist so the roots do not dry out completely.

For fig trees planted in-ground, insulate as much as possible by getting creative. Use chicken wire and burlap or surround with straw bales stuffed with leaves. The pliable branches can be bent in to preserve as much as the plant as possible. What is not covered, will likely die back. Figs fruit on new growth and the insulated roots will send out new growth, even if the top dies.

Buy a Chicago Hardy Fig tree and enjoy delicious figs and from this hardy plant.

Survival Guaranteed!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Fruit Color Purple
Fruit Size Medium
Hardiness Zone Range 2 - 10, Outdoor Planting: 5 - 10
Pollination Self-Pollinating
Ripens/Harvest July Through Frost
Shade/Sun Partial Shade - Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 6.0 - 6.5
Taste Sweet
Texture Fine Grained
Years to Bear 1 - 2

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

When your tree matures, it will be approximately 15 - 30' tall x 15 - 35' wide.

Recommended Spacing

We recommend spacing these trees 35 - 40' apart to ensure room for growth.

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 2 - 10 Outdoors: 5 - 10
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.
This item can be grown in colder climates if it's planted in a container and brought indoors during the winter months. If you're planting it outdoors in the ground, we recommend being within the outdoor zone range.

Pollination

This variety is self pollinating.

In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. You'll get fruit with only one plant!

Related Assortments

Available in this money-saving assortment

We bundle many of our popular products in assortments with other items that compliment each other. Plus, when you purchase an assortment, you save money compared to buying each item individually!

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow fig trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Estimated Delivery Date

This item is currently out of stock.

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

Have a question? Ask owners.Have a question about this? Ask people who own it.
Start typing and see existing answers.
172 Questions
Why did you choose this?

Cold Hardy Fig

Always hopeful, if it's good for Chicag it should be fine here.

I don't have it

Need a fig tree that bears fruit in WI

Which fig tree is best suited for a northern Indiana climate?

I purchased the Chicago Hardy Fig early last spring. Planted it early spring and it grew to almost 3 times its stem size and had a half dozen delicious figs late summer. I purchased this tree to withstand bad winters in North New Jersey. Winters can be near zero and bad winds. I did not cover the tree last fall because of my illness. Waiting for spring to see if if has survived 10 below and cold winds a couple of weeks ago. Hope for an early spring and lots of good fruit.

do you have the dwarf variety?

No, we don't have the dwarf size, but many growers have had success keeping this tree smaller with pruning. Unlike most other fruit trees, fig trees typically don’t require routine pruning, but you can prune them to a size that works for your space. Many fig tree growers find that keeping them between 6-8 feet tall is most manageable, especially in a container environment.

Can you keep Chicago hardy fig as a houseplant?

I bought two last year one for my mom and hers harvested about 30 figs last summer that she said were very tasty brought it in for the winter.. we are planting hers in the yard this spring. mine did not do so well in the harvesting department maybe got 3 figs were not eatable.. maybe this year we both brought our fig trees in for the winter I rent my home so it will stay on my porch in a large pot I can let you know how it harvests this year both have not harvested any fruit over the winter. hope that helps you have not had it long enough to advise indoor plant or not.

can I plant outside in Bedford, ohio ?

The tree I planted produced 3 figs in its fist year (2015) and seems to have survived the winter r well, though it's too early to see it leaf out. I'm in Zone 5, so if you are in this zone or warmer, you should be OK.

Ok to store in garage during zone 5 winters that get to -10?

I’m from West Michigan, zone 5, and left mine outside during the 2018/19 winter. It was our tree’s first winter with us and it was a very harsh winter getting to -25 F. Our tree didn’t come to life until the end of July (thought it was dead) but it was also an unusually cold summer in 2019. Your tree should come back to life but it might not get fruit after recovering from such cold temperatures. This is our first try with a fig tree so sorry I couldn’t be more helpful but that’s what we have learned so far!

found 3 figs in my tree bought in June 2015 but inside is white and not sweet or any flavor?

In order to tell when the fig is ripe, the stem attaching it will droop. When this happens, I check by supporting the fruit from the bottom and gently wiggling it. If it lets go on its own accord, then it's ripe and ready to be eaten. If it gives any resistance, then it's not ripe.

I would like to purchase a chicagohardy fig tree for a large ( 2' x 2' x 2' ) square container - in my back yard in Philadelphia PA - would this be a suitable tree for this environment? I will not be able to bring it inside in the winter - so can i cover it with something ? thanks

We have both Brown Turkey and Chicago Hardy and live in Springfield, Illinois. We cover them with three feet of straw and they do very well. They are in the ground (ground level) and die back in our area. Regrow bigger and more productive each year.

I bought Chicago Hardy fig tree last year and planted it in a large pot the tree is doing well but it is growing like a long poll with no side branches except for the very top how can I get some side branches to come out of the lower part of the tree any advice would be appreciated....Thank You ?

@ Anthony T., you may want to lay the pot w/tree down and gently pull it out of the pot and see if it is rootbound. If the roots are completely encircling the pot, the tree should be planted in a bigger pot to allow the root to grown out, which in turn typically facilitate growth of branches outward. If your pot is tall and skinny-this may be why your tree is growing like a "pole." Think "wider" pot for wider branches. Also, if you want branches higher than at the base, peel off any buds that appear on the trunk under where you want branches to appear. So, if you want a wider tree... top it meaning take off several inches of growth on very top and remove all buds that appear low on the trunk. You are basically shaping your tree as it grows and this is a continue process that never ends and is quite fun to do! I love pruning and shaping a tree. You can create any shape/design you want. :)

My Chicago Hardy Fig was delivered at the beginning of April. It is in the house in the same pot until the temperatures warm up here in NH. It has 2 small figs developing at the top along with the leaves. Should I pinch the figs off or let them develop? Thank you.

I would let them develop. I got my fig tree last year and they produced three figs. I wasn't sure if they'd be edible or not, but I let them do their thing. When they became dark and slightly soft, we picked them and ate them. They were delicious!

Can i plant this outside in Fitchburg,mass?

Thank you for your question. This is a remarkable fig variety that is quite cold-hardy and will do fine in your zone, which is 6A.

Customer Reviews

497 Ratings
3.5out of 5 stars
497 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 47% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 13% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 10% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 8% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 22% of reviewers

1-10 of 497 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 19, 2025
Fig
Healthy fig, beautiful form. Really impressed with the quality. It set 20 fruit this first spring having it in a container. Very pleased.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dec 9, 2024
Nice but probably doomed due to deer.
I really liked the two I purchased. They were in the best shape of any trees I have purcharsed from a variety of nurseries when I received them and they did reasonably well for late transplants. Unfortunately, the deer like them even more than I do and I will wait to see if the remaining stubs rebud and grow in the Spring. I plan to order more, but will probably take notice of their ediblility.
Rated 5 out of 5
Nov 21, 2024
Figs!
Dies back in se Kansas winter but always comes back and makes lots of good figs. Grandma made the most delicious fig preserves, hard to beat with homemade butter and biscuits
Rated 5 out of 5
Oct 29, 2024
Great company
My Chicago Fig arrived on time and well packaged with a great root system. It ha been doing well but is soon to go dormant. Great variety of products at this company. Will buy from them again because of the Quality.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 23, 2024
Bought and planted in spring. Figs appeared in September. Not sure they will ripen before frost Extremely happy!!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 4, 2024
Fine Fig Tree
I am thrilled with the Stark Bro's Chicago Hardy Fig Tree I purchased. It came securely packaged in a long (tree length and roots) box with the roots securely encased. Excellent repotting instructions were enclosed and the tree has thrived in the 20-gallon container I planted it in. Obviously no fruit the first year, but the tree is about 18 inches taller than when I received it, with large beautiful leaves. I highly recommend Stark Bro's!!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 22, 2024
So far so good - some figs peeking out ,
Winter survival tbd
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 13, 2024
A fignomenal purchase of fig trees for figgy happiness. A true blue Stark Brothers customer for 42 years and counting. and expecting m
I have bought Stark Brothers fruit and nut trees for the yard since 1982, 42 years!!! I looked around on the internet for fig trees and decided to stick with Stark's. I trust the company to mail the precious trees in secure and protective packaging. I will my best to prepare the ground, take care of these baby trees, and be a good gardener and steward through the cycle of seasons. I expect to enjoy bountiful harvests and delicious homegrown figs in the coming years and decades. Thank you Stark Brothers for your amazing two centuries old company. Fawn P.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 12, 2024
Happy Fig
Other than some heat stress the tree is doing well
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 9, 2024
Fig pie coming up
I love my Chicago Hardy Fig tree! My fig tree gave fruit the first year and this is the 5th year for figs. I can't wait. These figs are beautiful inside and out, lovely pink to purple flesh, juicy and sweet. Each year I can't wait to see just how much the tree will expand, and how many figs will be harvested. I do cut back the branches and stems each year in late March and then I watch the tree grow its leaves hiding the figs through July. I wait expectantly for the ripening in late August and then .......pop one in my mouth! Well worth the wait. Fig pie coming up!