Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Ficus carica 'Black Mission' you will need.
*Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions.
Fig, Black Mission
Ficus carica 'Black Mission'
- Edible fruit
- Accent tree
- Drought tolerant
- Category: Seasonal, Tropical, and Perennial Color
- Hardiness Zone: 7a
- Height: 15-25 ft
- Spread: 15-25 ft
- Spacing: 15-20 ft
Black Mission Fig is a vigorous, deciduous fruiting tree that performs well across much of Texas, particularly in Central, North, and East Texas where heat and moderate moisture support strong growth. It handles alkaline soils reasonably well but is most productive in deep, loamy soils with consistent moisture. It is not well-suited to the extreme aridity of West Texas or the cold extremes of the Panhandle, where establishment and fruit production can be inconsistent.
At maturity, Mission Fig reaches 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, developing a bold, spreading canopy with large, deeply lobed leaves that create strong textural interest in the landscape. Space plants 15 to 20 feet apart when used in groups. It functions best as a large specimen or accent tree, an informal screen, or a productive orchard planting. Its size and spreading habit make it unsuitable for tight hedges or formal borders.
Mission Fig thrives in full sun and performs best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It tolerates alkaline conditions but does not perform well in poorly drained or waterlogged sites. Once established, it shows good drought tolerance, though consistent moisture improves fruit production. Deer will browse it given the opportunity. The milky sap from cut stems and leaves is a known skin irritant and can cause contact dermatitis — gloves are recommended during pruning. Mission Fig typically produces one main crop in late summer to fall, bearing medium to large, dark purple to nearly black figs with sweet, strawberry-red flesh.
In North and Central Texas, Mission Fig can experience dieback following hard freezes below 10–15°F. Established plants typically resprout from the roots in spring, but top growth may be lost in severe winters. Mulching heavily around the base and wrapping the trunk before freezing temperatures arrive will improve survival rates. Container-grown plants should be moved to a sheltered location during hard freeze events.