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🚚 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 🍯🌿
Honey-sweet flavor, compact habit, and serious toughness — ‘Celeste’ (aka the classic “Sugar Fig”) brings a timeless heirloom taste to modern edible gardens. From Florida to the Gulf South and across warm, sunny regions, this fig delivers dependable crops with caramel-toned, amber-pink flesh and a naturally tight, closed eye that helps resist splitting and souring in humid weather.
🌞 QUICK FACTS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ficus carica ‘Celeste’ |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruit tree (edible) |
| Size at Sale | Ships in 3-gallon container (1-gallon seasonally; larger sizes for local pickup) |
| 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 best fruiting |
| Cold Hardiness | To ~10°F once established; mulch base for root protection |
| Growth Habit | Dense, rounded canopy; fast-growing, highly productive |
| Spacing | 10–15 ft in-ground (or 6–8 ft if hedging / tighter gardens) |
🍯 FRUIT & FLAVOR NOTES
- Look: Medium figs with rosy-bronze to purplish-brown skin and amber-pink flesh
- Flavor: Exceptionally sweet, honey-forward with caramel and berry undertones — the Southern “sugar fig” experience
- Texture: Dense, chewy, closed eye helps deter rain-souring and pests
- Use: Divine fresh, fantastic dried, and legendary for preserves, pies, charcuterie
Harvest Windows
- Florida & Gulf South: June–August (main crop)
- Southeast & Mid-South: July–September (timing varies with rainfall & pruning)
Yield: Abundant and consistent — one of the earliest and most productive figs in the South.
🌱 WHY GROW ‘CELESTE’?
- Reliable Producer: Self-pollinating, adaptable, and early bearing
- Heat + Cold Hardy: Built for Southern summers and brief winter dips
- Humidity Resilience: Tight, closed eye reduces fruit souring/splitting in rainy spells
- Compact & Ornamental: Beautiful, rounded canopy for smaller gardens, raised beds, and large containers
- Beginner-Friendly: Tough, forgiving, and low-maintenance
🪴 CONTAINER & INDOOR GROWING TIPS
- Best Pot Sizes: Start in 3 gal; up-pot to 15–25 gal for long-term container trees
- Soil: Fast-draining blend (pine bark + perlite + compost)
- Light: Full sun outdoors; for indoor overwintering, place in bright, cool space (≈35–50°F)
- Water: Keep evenly moist during fruit swell; avoid extreme dry-downs
🌿 PLANTING & CARE — “HIGH & TIGHT” METHOD
Where to Plant: Choose a full-sun, well-drained site. Slight elevation or mounding is ideal.
How to Plant: Dig a hole just wider than the container and the same depth. Set the root ball slightly above grade (that’s High & Tight), backfill firmly with compost + native soil, water to settle, and mulch — but keep mulch off the trunk.
Watering Schedule:
- Week 1: Daily
- Weeks 2–4: 2–3×/week
- After establishment: Deep weekly (adjust for heat/rain/soil)Feeding: Light organic feeding in early spring; go easy near ripening to preserve sweetness.Pruning:
- Formative: Tip branches by ~⅓ in early years for an open, rounded canopy
- Post-harvest: Remove crossing wood; thin for airflow
- Containers: Pinch growing tips in summer for compact plants & more fruiting wood
▶️ Watch: GreenDreams “High & Tight” Planting Video — https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
CULINARY INSPIRATION
- Fresh: Sliced over yogurt or ice cream for a classic Southern treat
- Preserves: Honey-lemon fig jam — pantry gold
- Baked: Roast with goat cheese + balsamic glaze
- Dried: Chewy, caramel-sweet snacks with long shelf life
SEASONAL CARE (FLORIDA & SIMILAR CLIMATES)
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Deciduous — full leaf drop is normal; mulch base for root protection
- Spring (Mar–Apr): New flush; feed lightly with compost/organic fertilizer
- Summer (May–Aug): Peak fruiting; maintain even soil moisture
- Fall (Sep–Nov): Light post-harvest prune; rake leaves to reduce rust/mildew pressure
Note: In Florida, leaf spotting and occasional yellowing before drop are seasonal and normal — not a sign of failure. Expect fresh refoliation with the next growth cycle.
🌼 COMPANION & SUPPORT PLANTING (Fig Guilds)
Soil Builders & Mulch Crops (Nitrogen + Carbon):
- Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) — nitrogen fixer, light dappled shade
- Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) — fast, nutrient-rich chop-and-drop biomass
- Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) — clumping carbon for chop-and-drop; stabilizes soil, boosts drainage
Pollinator & Beneficial Allies:
- Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans), Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) — biodiversity + beneficial insect support (figs don’t need pollinators, but your garden does)
Edible & Structural Companions:
- Nopales / Edible Prickly Pear (Opuntia cochenillifera) — drought-tough edible pads; great sunny border
- Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) — nutrient-dense perennial green; sturdy vertical contrast
💧 WATER & NUTRITION SNAPSHOT
- Establishment: Water 2–3× weekly for 2–3 months
- Mature Trees: Deep weekly during dry spells
- Fertilizer: Compost/organic blends in spring; avoid heavy nitrogen near fruit set
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE (FLORIDA-SAVVY)
- Fruit Drop / Light Crop — Usually inconsistent watering or excess nitrogen → Keep moisture steady; feed lightly
- Fruit Splitting — Sudden rain during ripening → Mulch well; maintain even moisture
- Rust or Leaf Spots — Common in humidity → Improve airflow & drainage; clean up leaf litter; avoid overhead watering
- Leaf Yellowing — Normal before dormancy; in summer, check for overwatering or imbalance
- Cold Burn on Tips — Prune after spring regrowth; mature trees typically rebound
⚠️ ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE ADVISORY
🌴 Important for Florida & Sandy Soils
🧠 What to Know:
Figs (Ficus carica) are highly susceptible to root-knot nematodes (RKN) — microscopic soil pests common in Florida’s sandy soils that attack roots and reduce plant vigor.
🌿 Our Best Organic Solutions:
- ✅ Containers or Raised Beds: Safest, most reliable way to grow figs in nematode-prone areas.
- ☀️ Soil Solarization: In summer, moisten soil, cover tightly with clear plastic for 4–6 weeks, and seal edges to reduce nematode populations naturally.
- 🌾 Cover Crops: Grow sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) or marigolds (Tagetes spp.) for 6–8 weeks before planting to disrupt nematode life cycles.
- 🍂 Mulch Deeply: Add 2–3 inches of hardwood mulch or chop-and-drop material (e.g., Mexican Sunflower + Vetiver) to build organic matter and promote beneficial microbes.
🚫 Avoid synthetic soil fumigants — they can contaminate food-producing soil systems and harm beneficial organisms.
💡 Healthy, living soil and diverse plant guilds are your best long-term defense.
🌟 IS THIS PLANT RIGHT FOR YOU?
✅ Ideal For: Beginners, homesteaders, Florida & Southern growers, and anyone craving classic, honey-sweet fig flavor in a dependable tree.
❌ Not Ideal For: Full-shade sites or poorly drained locations with standing water. If you want evergreen looks year-round, consider our Jaboticaba, Surinam Cherry, or Loquat instead.
🚚 SHIPPING & LOCAL PICKUP
- Available Sizes: 3-gallon (standard shipping) + 1-gallon (seasonal); larger sizes for local pickup
- Best Shipping Regions: Florida, the Southeastern US, and Texas
- Nationwide Shipping: Available across the continental US; plants shipped west/north may need extra recovery time after arrival
- Weather Disclaimer: Buyer discretion during peak heat/cold; GreenDreams is not responsible for temperature-related transit damage
- Ship Days: UPS Ground every Monday
Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 GREENDREAMS FIG VARIETY COMPARISON — QUICK LOOK
| Variety | Fruit / Flesh | Flavor | Humidity Resistance | Cold (°F) | Size / Habit | Why We Love It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celeste | Rosy-bronze / Amber-pink | Honey-sweet, caramel | ⭐⭐⭐ Good (tight eye) | ~10 | Compact 6–10 ft | Heirloom classic; early, prolific |
| LSU Purple | Deep purple / Amber | Light berry-sweet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ~15 | 10–15 ft | Bred for Gulf humidity, consistent |
| Brown Turkey | Brown / Pink | Mild-sweet, very reliable | ⭐⭐ Fair | ~5–10 | 12–20 ft | Cold-tolerant starter fig |
| Di Redo | Dark purple-black / Red | Raspberry-jam sweet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ~10–15 | 8–15 ft | Top flavor + humidity tolerance |
| Yellow Long Neck | Golden / Amber | Honey-vanilla, mild | ⭐⭐ Fair | ~15 | 4–8 ft (12–15 unpruned) | Large, showy dessert fig |
(Explore our full collection online for detailed profiles.)
❓ FAQ
Do I need two Celeste figs for fruit?
No — self-fertile; no pollinator required.
When will my Celeste fig bear fruit?
Typically 1–2 years with full sun and good care.
Can I grow Celeste in a pot?
Absolutely — one of the best container figs thanks to its compact habit.
Why are my leaves turning yellow or spotted?
Often seasonal/dormancy related in Florida; also check watering consistency and airflow.
How cold-hardy is Celeste?
Among the most cold-tolerant Southern figs — around 10°F when mature, with root protection.
🌿 BEYOND THE PLANT: GREENDREAMS SERVICES
We do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore edible ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🏗️ Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative farm solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving 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.
