🌿 Deanna Fig (Ficus carica ‘Deanna’) – A Golden Gem from Dr. Ira Condit’s Legacy 🍯

Experience the brilliance of Deanna — a California-bred, large-fruited fig developed by legendary fig breeder Dr. Ira J. Condit. Designed to rival the famous Calimyrna, this beauty thrives across Florida and the Gulf South, offering massive, honey-sweet fruit, lush tropical foliage, and a story rooted in horticultural history.

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🌿 Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Botanical Name	Ficus carica ‘Deanna’
Plant Type	Fruiting deciduous tree
Sale Size	Ships in 3-gallon container
Mature Height & Width	8–10 ft (pruned) / 10–20 ft (unpruned)
USDA Zones	8–10
Sun Requirements	Full sun – 6–8 hrs minimum
Cold Hardiness	Hardy to ~15 °F once established
Growth Habit	Bushy, multi-stemmed fig; easy to train
Spacing	12–15 ft apart in ground (6–8 ft for hedging)
Pollination	Self-fertile (no pollinator needed)

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🍈 Fruit & Flavor Details

• Size: Very large—often over 100 g per fruit!
• Skin: Green to soft yellow-gold at ripeness.
• Flesh: Amber to light strawberry-red; smooth and jam-like.
• Flavor: Mildly honey-sweet with delicate fruit-nectar notes.
• Texture: Thin, tender skin and rich, buttery interior.
• Harvest:
  • Florida: July–August (main crop)
  • Warmer western climates: Mid- to late summer
  • Cooler zones: Late summer to early fall
• Performance: Compact and productive; the tight eye resists souring and spoilage during Florida’s rainy months.

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🌱 Top Benefits & Uses

• 🍯 Exceptional dessert fig for fresh eating, roasting, or preserves.
• 🌿 Tolerant of humidity and performs well in Florida soils.
• 🪴 Adaptable to in-ground or large-container growing.
• 🌳 Beautiful ornamental foliage with large tropical-style leaves.
• 🌾 Nutrient-rich fruit high in fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.
• 📜 Historic cultivar — bred by UC Riverside’s Dr. Ira Condit to combine size, flavor, and resilience.

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🌞 Best Practices for Planting & Care

Where to Plant:

Choose a sunny, well-drained location. Figs prefer sandy or loamy soils with good airflow. Avoid low areas prone to standing water.

Planting Method:

• Dig a hole just wider than the pot and no deeper.
• Plant “high & tight”—keep the root crown slightly above ground level.
• Backfill firmly with native soil and top-dress with compost.
• Add hardwood mulch 2–4 inches thick, but keep it away from the trunk.

📽 Watch our “High & Tight” Fruit Tree Planting Video:

👉 GreenDreams YouTube Planting Method

Watering:

• Daily the first week, 2–3× per week for the first two months.
• Weekly deep watering once established.
• Increase frequency during fruit set and heat waves.

Feeding:

Use light, organic fertilizers or compost teas early in the growing season. Avoid excess nitrogen—too much leaf growth reduces fruit production.

Mulching:

Mulch with hardwood chips, leaves, or pine straw. Reapply annually for moisture retention and nematode control.

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🍂 Seasonal Habits

Spring (Florida): Rapid leaf-out after dormancy; prune lightly before new growth.

Summer: Fruit set; maintain watering; watch for rust (normal in humidity).

Fall: Harvest ends; tree begins to harden off.

Winter: Deciduous—leaves yellow, spot, and drop completely. This is normal! The plant rests before the next spring flush.

Outside Florida:

In cooler zones, expect slower early growth and later fruiting. In arid regions, fruit may dry faster and become more intense in flavor. Protect from extreme frost below 15 °F.

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✂️ Pruning & Training

• Encourage a multi-stem bush form for cold recovery and easy harvest.
• Thin crowded branches to improve airflow.
• Best pruning window: late winter after risk of frost or right after harvest.
• Remove suckers and deadwood each year.

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💧 Watering, Fertilizing & Mulch Schedule

Season	Action
Spring	Begin light fertilization; ensure deep weekly watering.
Summer	Maintain soil moisture; apply compost tea or organic potassium supplement to aid fruiting.
Fall	Stop feeding; allow tree to harden for winter.
Winter	Minimal watering while dormant.

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🦠 Troubleshooting Guide

Issue	Symptoms	Solution
Fig Rust	Yellow spots → brown undersides → early leaf drop	Rake fallen leaves, prune for airflow, avoid overhead watering. Tree rebounds naturally.
Souring/Splitting Fruit	Rain close to ripening causes cracking	Harvest promptly when soft; the small eye helps prevent souring.
Root-knot Nematodes	Poor vigor, stunted roots in sandy soil	Add compost, mulch deeply, plant vetiver or marigolds nearby.
Mosaic Virus (Cosmetic)	Mottled leaves, no real damage	Maintain good nutrition and avoid stress.
Pests (Birds, Squirrels)	Missing fruit	Use fruit bags or lightweight netting.

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Florida Fig Troubleshooting Quick Guide

🌦 Rainy Season Splits? – Harvest early at softness; avoid over-watering.

🍂 Yellow Leaves Mid-Summer? – Likely rust; normal and recoverable.

🌳 Sparse Fruit? – Too much nitrogen or not enough full sun.

🪴 Potted Tree Drying Out Fast? – Upgrade container or add mulch layer.

🪰 Ants on Fruit? – They follow nectar leaks; pick fruit slightly early.

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🪴 Container & Indoor Growing

• Choose 15–25 gal containers or larger.
• Use a well-draining soil blend with pine bark and perlite.
• Full sun exposure is essential for fruiting.
• In cooler climates, overwinter dormant potted figs in garages or porches.

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🌼 Companion & Support Plants

Soil Builders: Vetiver Grass, Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), Pigeon Pea, Comfrey.

Pollinator Companions: African Blue Basil, Sweet Almond Bush, Native Salvias.

Aesthetic Pairings: Olive, Rosemary, Pineapple Guava, and Surinam Cherry for texture and contrast.

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⚠️ Cautions

• Fig latex can irritate skin—wear gloves while pruning.
• Avoid planting where roots may contact septic systems; figs are vigorous rooters.
• Protect new shoots from frost during first winters.

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✅ Is This Plant Right for You?

Ideal For:

✅ Florida & Gulf Coast growers (Zones 8–10)

✅ Gardeners seeking large, mild, sweet figs

✅ Container growers wanting manageable trees

✅ Home orchards & edible landscapes

Not Ideal For:

❌ Cold regions below Zone 7 without winter protection

❌ Constantly shaded or soggy soils

❌ Those expecting evergreen foliage (figs are deciduous)

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📦 Shipping & Local Pickup

Shipping Size: 3-gallon container.

Best Shipping Regions: Florida, the Southeast, and Texas (warm-weather tolerant).

We also ship nationwide, but plants traveling to colder or drier western states may require an acclimation period upon arrival.

Weather Disclaimer:

We are not responsible for damage caused by extreme heat or cold during transit. Shipping every Monday via UPS Ground ensures the safest arrival window.

Local Pickup:

📍 GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

🕘 Tues–Fri 9 AM–5 PM | Sat 8 AM–3 PM

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🌿 GreenDreams Fig Variety Comparison Table

Variety	Fruit Color / Flesh	Flavor Profile	Humidity & Rain Resistance	Cold Hardiness (°F)	Growth Habit / Size	Notable Strengths & Best Uses
Alma	Light brown / Amber	Honey-sweet with caramel notes	⭐⭐⭐ Good	~10–15 °F	Compact 8–12 ft	Early bearing; rich flavor; great for preserves
Beers Black	Dark purple / Red	Jammy, balanced sweet-tart	⭐⭐ Moderate	~15 °F	Upright 12–15 ft	Classic dessert fig; “Black Mission” type
Brown Turkey	Brown / Pink	Mild sweetness, very reliable	⭐⭐ Fair	~5–10 °F	12–20 ft	Cold-hardy, prolific, great starter fig
Celeste	Light brown / Rose	Sugar-sweet, small fruit	⭐⭐⭐ Good	~10 °F	8–12 ft	“Sugar Fig” of the South; dependable cropper
Deanna	Yellow-green / Amber	Honeyed, mild, large fruit	⭐⭐ Fair	~15 °F	10–15 ft	Big, showy fruit; excellent fresh eating
🌿 Di Redo	Dark purple-black / Red	Raspberry-jam, berry-sweet, syrupy	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent (tight eye)	~10–15 °F	8–15 ft	Top flavor & humidity resistance — Florida favorite
Fignomenal	Violet / Pink	Rich, sugary-sweet	⭐⭐⭐ Good	~20 °F	Miniature 2–3 ft	Perfect patio fig; fruits year-round in warm zones
Green Egg	Light green / Pink	Custard-sweet, tropical notes	⭐⭐ Fair	~15 °F	10–15 ft	Unique flavor; ornamental appeal
Ischia (Green)	Green / Strawberry-red	Sweet-berry, tangy	⭐⭐ Moderate	~15 °F	8–12 ft	Historic Italian variety; container friendly
Little Ruby	Red-purple / Ruby	Very sweet, sugar-dense	⭐⭐⭐ Good	~15 °F	Dwarf 3–4 ft	Excellent container fig; heavy producer
LSU Purple	Deep purple / Amber	Light berry-sweet	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent	~15 °F	10–15 ft	LSU-bred for Gulf humidity; consistent yields
🌳 Olympian	Purple-bronze / Rose	Honey-sweet, juicy, tangerine-sized fruit	⭐⭐⭐ Good	Below 0 °F	Compact 4–8 ft	Unrivaled cold tolerance + giant fruit
White Kadota	Pale green / Amber	Honeyed, chewy, mild	⭐⭐ Moderate	~15 °F	10–15 ft	Classic drying fig; dense, flavorful flesh
White Marseilles	Green-yellow / Pale amber	Mild-sweet, delicate	⭐⭐ Fair	~0 °F	10–12 ft	Thomas Jefferson’s heirloom favorite
White Texas Everbearing	Green-yellow / Pink	Very sweet, long-season crop	⭐⭐⭐ Good	~10 °F	8–12 ft	Long fruiting season in warm zones
Yellow Long Neck	Golden-yellow / Amber	Honey-vanilla, very mild	⭐⭐ Fair	~15 °F	12–18 ft	Showy dessert-style fruit for fresh eating

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🌟 Ready to Grow Your Own Deanna Fig?

Add this golden treasure to your food forest or edible garden and enjoy one of the sweetest, largest figs bred for our Southern climate.

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🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.

• 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
• 🌾 Installation & project management
• 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, & soil materials
• 🤝 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutions

Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with the Deanna Fig! 🌿