Desert King Fig Tree - Ficus carica 'Desert King'

Desert King Fig Tree (Ficus carica 'Desert King')

The Desert King Fig Tree is a productive, cold-hardy variety that thrives in northern and cooler growing regions where other fig cultivars struggle. This vigorous grower produces abundant harvests of large, dark-colored fruit featuring striking crimson interiors and a complex, honeyed flavor profile perfect for fresh eating or culinary applications. If you're looking to buy a Desert King Fig online, this exceptional specimen combines ornamental appeal with reliable fruit production year after year.

Landscaping Uses

Plant your Desert King Fig as a striking focal point in your garden, along property lines for natural screening, or as a container specimen on patios and decks. Its attractive rounded silhouette and soft gray-green lobed foliage complement modern and traditional landscapes alike. This fig adapts beautifully to various settings, making it an excellent choice for edible landscaping in cooler climates where figs are typically challenging to cultivate.

Specifications

Height: 8–12 feet
Width: 6–10 feet
Growth Rate: Vigorous
Sun: Full to partial sun (6–8 hours daily)
Water: Moderate; allow soil to dry between waterings
Soil: Well-drained; highly adaptable to various soil types
USDA Zones: 5–10

Why Homeowners Love It

• Produces two harvests annually—an early summer crop followed by a secondary breba crop
• Exceptional cold tolerance and resistance to rain damage
• Low-maintenance and forgiving in poor soil conditions
• Delivers sweet, complex fruit with honey and berry undertones ideal for fresh consumption and cooking

Planting & Care

Select a location receiving 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily and prepare a planting hole sized to accommodate your tree's root ball. For in-ground planting, backfill with native soil, water thoroughly, and apply mulch to retain moisture. Container-grown trees should be planted in a pot twice the width of the shipped container with adequate drainage holes, filled with a blend of natural soil and organic planting medium. Water young trees twice weekly, checking soil moisture 2 to 3 inches down before watering again. Prune in late winter if desired for shape control, and apply a balanced 10-10-10 organic fertilizer in spring only if growth appears sluggish.