LSU Gold Fig Tissue Culture Plant "Ficus carica"

LSU Gold fig

Considered a gold standard in more than just name only, the LSU Gold Fig is a delicious fig variety with fast growth and an incredibly large crop. Named for Louisiana State University, who first introduced it to the world, this fig variety is a popular household grower, especially in the south where the warm temperatures help it thrive.

Large golden fruit with a ruby blush. Fruit ripens from a light green to attractive yellow. The pulp is light red to pink. Ripe fruit has an excellent, sweet fig flavor. Delectable when eaten fresh, but also dries well. Great for preserves!

Characteristics of LSU Gold Figs

LSU Gold Fig trees are beautiful trees that grow to be about 8-15 feet in height and 8-10 feet in width when fully mature. They are heavy producers and rapid growers, often putting out their first harvest within two to three years of becoming established, but sometimes as early as the first year!

The LSU Gold Fig lives up to its namesake. This stunning gold honey fig variety features blush or amber overtones, making it truly appealing to the eye and taste buds. The fruits are on the medium to large side with soft skin when fully ripe.

When it comes to flavor, you can expect a ripe LSU Gold Fig to have full-bodied sweetness. The texture is soft and fleshy, fantastic both when eaten raw and when dried. A dried fig will have an even sweeter profile.

Growing At Home or in orchards

LSU Gold Fig trees are great for growing at home, particularly in warm climates

If you live in a colder climate, consider growing these figs in a container. They are great candidates for it and thrive well in a good-sized pot.

Site and Soil: Figs do well in a variety of soils, but require at least 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season.

Pollination Requirements: Self-fruitful.

Hardiness: Figs are hardy to between 0° & 5° F.

Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.

Size at Maturity: 8-15 ft in height, smaller with pruning.

Taste: Honey-sweet

Fruit Skin: Yellow

Fruit Flesh: Amber to red flesh

Bloom Time: Flowers are not noticeable as they are inside the fig.

Ripening Time: late July – early October

Yield: 10-15 lbs. or more per plant

Pests & Diseases: Figs are not bothered by pests in our region. Cover plants with netting if birds are a problem.

Fig Mosaic Virus is a benign virus that exists in all cultivated fig trees. Yellow spotting of the leaves is a cosmetic symptom that shows more in container culture, but is quickly outgrown once trees are planted in the ground.

Harvest

Once your fig tree is mature and producing, you should see a harvest of delicious golden figs from around July through early September each year. A single LSU Gold Fig tree can produce as much as 12 to 15 pounds of figs in a season, so be ready for quite the harvest!

To judge the ripeness of your figs, check the texture. The figs will remain firm until they ripen, at which point they will be soft. Once they soften, it’s time to harvest and enjoy them any way you like!

Container Planting

If you live in an area with heavy winters or have a small yard, consider planting your fig tree in a container. With proper pruning, it can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Be sure to bring it inside when the weather freezes and place it in a sunny warm spot. While your container tree probably won’t produce fruit, it will still provide ornamental value to your surroundings.