Fall Deals:
15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
15% Off Vitex & Sweet Almond
Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌟 Celeste Fig (Ficus carica ‘Celeste’) — The Heavenly Sweetheart of Southern Gardens 🍯🌿
1-Gallon Size — compact start, heirloom flavor, full potential.
Known across the South as the “Sugar Fig,” the Celeste Fig is a beloved heirloom that combines honey-sweet flavor, compact growth, and true resilience. With rosy-bronze skin, amber-pink flesh, and caramel notes that rival any dessert, this variety thrives in Florida and the Gulf South — performing beautifully in containers, raised beds, or well-drained in-ground sites.
🌿 QUICK FACTS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ficus carica ‘Celeste’ |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruit tree (edible) |
| Size at Sale | Ships in 1-gallon container (young, actively growing plant) |
| Mature Height & Width | Pruned: 6–10 ft • Unpruned: up to 15 ft |
| USDA Zones | 7–10 (heat- and cold-hardy) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (8–10 hrs/day) for optimal fruiting |
| Cold Hardiness | Tolerates down to ~10°F when established |
| Growth Habit | Dense, rounded canopy; fast-growing, highly productive |
| Spacing | 10–15 ft in-ground; 6–8 ft for hedging or small gardens |
🍯 FRUIT & FLAVOR NOTES
- Look: Medium-sized fruit with rosy-bronze to purplish-brown skin and amber-pink flesh.
- Flavor: Rich and heavenly sweet — like caramelized honey with berry undertones.
- Texture: Dense, chewy, and jammy; closed eye helps resist pests and splitting during humid weather.
- Use: Perfect for eating fresh, preserving, baking, or drying for chewy, honey-sweet snacks.
- Harvest Windows:
- Florida & Gulf South: Main crop June–August
- Southeast & Mid-South: Often July–September
- Yield: Early and abundant; one of the most consistent figs for Southern growers.
- Pollination: Self-fertile — no pollinator tree required.
🌱 WHY GROW ‘CELESTE’?
- 🍯 Classic Honey-Sweet Flavor: A cherished Southern heirloom flavor profile.
- 🌤 Built for the South: Thrives in heat, humidity, and tolerates winter dips.
- 🌳 Compact Growth: Perfect for small yards, raised beds, or container culture.
- 💪 Dependable & Forgiving: Excellent for beginners and longtime growers alike.
- 🧺 Great for Preserves: A top choice for homemade jam, pastries, and desserts.
- 🌸 Closed Eye Advantage: Naturally resists souring and pests in humid conditions.
🌿 PLANTING & CARE — THE “HIGH & TIGHT” METHOD
Where to Plant:
Select a full-sun, well-draining location or use a raised bed for best results. Avoid compacted or soggy soils.
How to Plant:
Dig a hole just wider than the pot and equal in depth. Set the root ball slightly above ground level (our “High & Tight” method). Backfill with native soil mixed with compost, water deeply, and add mulch (keeping it away from the trunk).
▶️ Watch: GreenDreams “High & Tight” Planting Video — https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
Watering:
- Weeks 1–2: Water daily to establish.
- Weeks 3–6: Water 2–3×/week, depending on weather.
- After establishment: Deep weekly watering to encourage strong root systems.
Fertilization:
Feed lightly with organic compost or fruit tree fertilizer in spring. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications — they promote leaves over fruit.
Mulching:
Use 2–3 inches of hardwood mulch or chop-and-drop biomass (like Mexican Sunflower or Vetiver) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning:
- Early years: Tip prune branches by ~⅓ to shape a rounded canopy.
- After harvest: Thin interior wood for airflow.
- In containers: Pinch tips to encourage fruiting laterals and a compact form.
🪴 CONTAINER & INDOOR GROWING TIPS
- Best Pot Sizes: Start in 1-gallon; up-pot to 3–5 gal, then 15–25 gal for mature trees.
- Soil: Use a fast-draining mix (pine bark fines + compost + perlite).
- Light: Full sun outdoors; indoors overwinter in bright, cool area (35–50°F).
- Water: Keep evenly moist during growth; avoid both over-drying and soggy soil.
- Container Advantage: Perfect way to sidestep nematode pressure in sandy Florida soils.
⚠️ ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE ADVISORY
🌴 Important for Florida & Sandy Soils
🧠 What to Know:
Figs are highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes (RKN) — microscopic soil pests common in Florida sands that weaken roots and reduce fruiting.
🌿 Organic Grower Solutions:
- ✅ Grow in containers or raised beds to protect roots.
- ☀️ Try soil solarization (clear plastic for 4–6 weeks) before planting new beds.
- 🌾 Use cover crops like Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea) or Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) for 6–8 weeks prior to planting.
- 🍂 Maintain 2–3 inches of organic mulch and avoid compacted or overwatered soil.
🚫 Avoid synthetic soil fumigants — they can harm beneficial soil life and contaminate edible systems.
💡 Healthy soil life + organic matter = your best defense.
🌾 COMPANION & SUPPORT PLANTING
Soil Builders & Mulch Crops:
- 🌿 Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) — nitrogen fixer, provides gentle shade.
- 🌻 Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) — chop-and-drop mulch crop, nutrient booster.
- 🌾 Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) — carbon source and erosion control.
Pollinator Companions:
- 🌸 Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
- 🌺 Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)
- 🌿 Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)
Edible & Structural Companions:
- 🌵 Nopales / Edible Prickly Pear (Opuntia cochenillifera)
- 🌿 Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius)
💚 Combine one nitrogen fixer + one carbon grass + one pollinator attractor for a thriving regenerative fig guild.
🍽 CULINARY INSPIRATION
- 🍯 Fresh: Slice over yogurt or drizzle with honey.
- 🥧 Preserves: Cook into fig jam with lemon zest — a Southern classic.
- 🍕 Baked: Roast with goat cheese + balsamic glaze.
- 🍬 Dried: Air-dry into chewy, caramel-sweet treats.
🌤 SEASONAL CARE (FLORIDA & SIMILAR CLIMATES)
- Winter: Expect full leaf drop — Celeste is deciduous. Mulch base for root insulation.
- Spring: New flush of growth — light feeding with compost.
- Summer: Maintain even watering during fruiting for best flavor.
- Fall: Prune lightly post-harvest; clear fallen leaves to prevent rust.
🍂 Leaf spotting, yellowing, and drop are seasonal and normal — not a disease.
💧 WATER & NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Establishment: 2–3× weekly watering for first 2 months.
- Mature Trees: Deep weekly watering in dry spells.
- Feeding: Light organic feeding early spring + mid-summer; compost and mulch maintain nutrient balance.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellow/Spotted Leaves | 🧘 Natural seasonal dormancy | 🍃 Normal in fall & winter; new growth will follow |
| 💧 Wilting / Weak Growth | 💦 Overwatering / root stress | 🪣 Improve drainage; plant “High & Tight” |
| 🪲 Sticky Leaves | 🐜 Scale or aphids | ❄️ Neem or organic soap spray; 🐞 encourage ladybugs |
| ⚡ Fruit Splitting | 🌧 Sudden heavy rain | 🌾 Maintain mulch & consistent watering |
| ❄️ Frost Damage | 🌬️ Cold snap | 🪵 Mulch base & prune dead tips after recovery |
🌟 IS THIS PLANT RIGHT FOR YOU?
✅ Ideal For:
- Beginners, homesteaders, and Southern gardeners
- Container and raised-bed growers
- Food forest & permaculture enthusiasts
- Lovers of traditional Southern flavor
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Shade gardens or poorly drained sites
- Growers seeking evergreen ornamentals (try Jaboticaba, Surinam Cherry, or Loquat)
🚚 SHIPPING DETAILS
- Available Sizes: 1-gallon (ships best) & 3-gallon (standard)
- Best Shipping Regions: Florida, Southeastern U.S., and Texas
- Nationwide Shipping: Available across the continental U.S. (may require recovery in cooler or drier regions)
- Shipping Days: Every Monday via UPS Ground
- Weather Disclaimer: Buyer discretion during temperature extremes; GreenDreams is not responsible for heat/cold transit damage.
🪴 Smaller sizes (4” & 1-gal) dry faster — unpack and water upon arrival.
LOCAL PICKUP
📍 GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
Come explore what’s fruiting this week and see our lineup of figs, fruit trees, and support species! 🌸
🌿 BEYOND THE PLANT: GREENDREAMS SERVICES
We do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore edible ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & design
- 🏗️ Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk compost, mulch, biochar & soil delivery
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative solutions
Let our team help you grow your edible paradise — starting with Celeste! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
