Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
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
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
Related Assortments
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Tools & Supplies
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
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
@ 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. :)
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!
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
Winter survival tbd
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