LSU Tiger Fig Tree
LSU Tiger Fig is another great selection from the Louisiana State breeding program named in honor of the college’s mascot so you know they must have been proud of this one. And for good reason! LSU Tiger is an excellent variety for cool wet climates. Though it was selected for the hot and humid southeast where spoilage can be an issue for fig trees it also performs impressively in shorter growing seasons. Skin is a gorgeous purple often with striations that give a nearly variegated look to it and flesh is a deep red. Flavor is very sugary sweet for a dark fig but with a nice berry finish. One of our favorites!
One of the easiest fruits to grow, and a true gourmet delight, you should not live your life without feasting on this sweet, delectable fruit. To fully enjoy fresh Figs you must grow your own. When fully ripe and at their tender, shipping them long distances is virtually impossible. Another plus for Figs – deer don’t like them (most of the time)!
Click here to read our Fig Growing Guide.
Latin Name: Ficus carica
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: Hardy to between 0° & 5° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-12 ft in height, smaller with pruning.
Taste: Sugary-sweet, berry finish
Fruit Skin: Purple with striations
Fruit Flesh: Deep red
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. The presence of FMV in all cultivated figs has become widely accepted, as even the national germplasm repository for figs maintained by the USDA has Fig Mosaic Virus. If the presence of FMV is a concern, then purchasing fig trees may not be the best option for you.
USDA Zone: 7