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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.
🌿🍇 LSU Purple Fig (Ficus carica): Sweet Abundance Meets Southern Charm 🍇🌿
Discover the LSU Purple Fig, a resilient and flavorful treasure from the Louisiana State University fig breeding program. This exceptional cultivar was developed to thrive in the humid Southeast — making it one of the most disease-resistant, prolific, and delicious figs for Florida and beyond.
Whether you’re an experienced grower or a first-time fruit enthusiast, this tree delivers both beauty and bounty — producing rich purple fruits that taste like summer sunshine with every bite.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ficus carica ‘LSU Purple’ |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting tree |
| Size at Sale | Ships in 1-gallon container (live plant) |
| Mature Height & Width | 8–12 ft pruned / up to 15–20 ft unpruned |
| USDA Zones | 7–10 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hours daily) |
| Cold Hardiness | Down to 15–20°F with protection |
| Growth Habit | Upright, rounded canopy; moderate vigor |
| Spacing | 10–15 ft between trees |
🍇 Fruit & Flavor Details
- Appearance: Medium-sized, deep purple fruit with smooth edible skin.
- Flesh: Rich red-amber interior, juicy and sweet with a subtle berry-caramel flavor.
- Texture: Soft, jammy, and smooth — ideal for fresh eating.
- Taste: Balanced sweetness with honey undertones; less resinous than many Southern figs.
- Yield: Consistent and heavy; fruits typically form in clusters.
- Harvest Season:
- Florida: May–July (main crop) with possible fall flush.
- Other Regions: Summer through early fall, depending on warmth.
- Humidity Tolerance: Excellent — bred specifically to resist splitting and souring in wet climates.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- 🍓 Culinary: Fresh eating, jams, pastries, salads, and charcuterie boards.
- 💪 Health Benefits: High in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and natural sugars.
- 🌸 Ornamental Value: Tropical-style foliage with deeply lobed leaves.
- 🐝 Wildlife Appeal: Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
- 🌿 Cultural Origin: Developed at LSU’s Horticultural Department in the 1950s–60s for Southern growers; still considered a “home orchard classic.”
- 🌾 Companion Plants:
- Nitrogen fixers: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan), Ice Cream Bean (Inga edulis).
- Pollinator attractors: African Blue Basil, Blue Porterweed, Mexican Sunflower.
- Biomass producers: Vetiver, Tithonia, and Sunn Hemp for soil enrichment.
🌳 Seasonal Habits & Growth Cycle
Deciduous Habit:
The LSU Purple Fig naturally drops its leaves in fall and remains bare through winter. Expect:
- 🍂 Fall: Yellowing leaves before dormancy.
- 🌱 Spring: Bud swell and fresh leaf growth.
- ☀️ Summer: Active fruiting and lush canopy.
- ❄️ Winter: Dormant, leafless state — normal and healthy.
This seasonal rhythm is part of the fig’s natural cycle and not a sign of distress.
🌾 Best Practices for Planting & Care
📍 Where to Plant
Choose a sunny, well-drained location — figs love warmth and airflow. Avoid low, soggy areas.
🌱 How to Plant
Use our “High & Tight” method for lasting success:
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot.
- Keep the root crown level with or slightly above the soil line.
- Backfill with native soil blended with compost and organic matter.
- Water well to settle.
- Mulch with hardwood mulch, keeping 2–3" away from the trunk.
🎥 Watch our planting guide: Fruit Tree Planting Video
💧 Watering
- Daily for the first week, taper to 2–3× weekly.
- Once established, water deeply during drought or fruiting periods.
🍂 Fertilizing
- Apply organic slow-release fertilizer 2–3× yearly (spring, midsummer, fall).
- Top-dress with compost or worm castings to feed beneficial microbes.
✂️ Pruning
- Prune in late winter or early spring before bud break.
- Remove crossing or dead wood.
- Summer tip pruning helps maintain compact size and boosts fruit set.
❄️ Winter Maintenance (Florida & Similar Climates)
- Mulch heavily around the root zone to retain warmth.
- In northern zones, grow in containers and overwinter indoors or in a garage.
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing Tips
- Container Size: Start with a 5-gallon pot, upsize to 15–25 gallons for maturity.
- Soil: Loose, well-draining potting mix with perlite or pine bark fines.
- Light: 6+ hours of direct sun or a bright south-facing window.
- Pruning: Keep compact for easy harvest; figs respond well to root pruning every 2–3 years.
⚠️ Troubleshooting & Common Concerns
Even the best-performing fig cultivars can face challenges in Florida’s unique climate. Here’s how to identify and resolve the most common issues naturally and effectively:
| Symptom / Problem | Likely Cause | GreenDreams Organic Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing or curling leaves | Overwatering, root stress, or nutrient imbalance | Check for soggy roots and improve drainage. Apply compost tea, worm castings, or liquid seaweed for micronutrient support. |
| Rust or leaf spotting | Common fungal issue in humid weather | Prune interior branches for airflow. Remove affected leaves and apply neem oil or copper fungicide (OMRI-listed). Avoid overhead watering. |
| Nematode damage (weak, stunted growth, poor yield) | Root-knot nematodes thriving in sandy soils | Mulch heavily and plant with beneficial companions like Marigold (Tagetes spp.), Vetiver Grass, or Sunn Hemp to suppress nematodes. Incorporate organic matter and biochar to increase soil life and microbial balance. Use beneficial nematodes (Steinernema spp.) or soil drenches of compost tea to restore root health. |
| Fruit drop before ripening | Drought stress or inconsistent watering | Maintain steady moisture—deep watering 2–3 times per week in dry months. Mulch to conserve soil moisture. |
| Fruit splitting or souring | Excess rainfall near ripening stage | Pick fruit as soon as it softens and provide good drainage. LSU Purple is more resistant to splitting than most varieties. |
| Birds & squirrels raiding fruit | Natural wildlife attraction | Net trees or install shiny deterrents. Harvest early when figs begin to soften. |
| Leaf drop in fall or winter | Normal deciduous cycle | No action needed; new growth returns each spring. |
| White latex sap when pruning | Normal fig latex secretion | Allow cuts to air-dry or apply natural pruning sealer if desired. |
| Root rot or dieback | Poor drainage or planting too deep | Replant higher (“High & Tight” method) and amend soil with coarse organic matter for aeration. |
🌾 Florida Grower Tip: Beat the Nematodes Naturally
In sandy, nematode-prone soils, figs perform best when grown in raised mounds, containers, or heavily amended beds rich in organic carbon. Blending biochar, compost, and shredded hardwood mulch builds beneficial microbial networks that outcompete harmful nematodes and retain moisture. Interplanting with Marigolds, Vetiver, Lemongrass, or Sunn Hemp creates a living soil defense system.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the LSU Purple Fig self-pollinating?
A: Yes — this variety produces fruit without needing another tree nearby.
Q: How long until it fruits?
A: Typically 1–2 years from planting, with full production by year 3–4.
Q: Can I grow it in North Florida or the Carolinas?
A: Absolutely! It’s cold-hardy to around 15°F with light protection.
Q: Why did my fig lose its leaves in winter?
A: It’s deciduous — this is natural dormancy. Expect new leaves in spring.
Q: Do I need to fertilize often?
A: Only moderately — figs thrive in lean, organic soils. Too much nitrogen reduces sweetness.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Florida, Gulf Coast, and Southeastern growers
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance fruit trees
- Lovers of fresh figs, preserves, and natural sweetness
- Container growers with sunny patios
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Heavy shade areas
- Overly wet soils
- Growers in zones below USDA 7 (without winter protection)
🚚 Shipping Information
- Shipping Zones: Ideal for Florida, the Southeastern US, and Texas.
- We can ship nationwide, but smaller sizes may dry faster and need recovery time in northern/western states.
- Shipping Schedule: UPS Ground, every Monday.
- Seasonal Advisory: We are not responsible for heat or cold damage during transit; buyer discretion advised during weather extremes.
🏡 Local Pickup
📍 Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams!
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Come see what’s fresh 🌿
🌿 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, and biochar
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative farm solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with the LSU Purple Fig! 🍇
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.
