Brown Turkey Fig Tree

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'

Nature Hills Nursery

Dual Annual Crops: Enjoy Sweet Figs from Late Spring Through Early Fall
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Heat Tolerant, Salt Tolerant
Fragrant Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Top Pick for Specimen in Edible Gardens

$83⁰⁸

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Choose a spot that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight to ensure the fruit develops its signature honey-like sweetness. While the tree can handle partial shade, you will likely see fewer figs and a much thinner canopy.
Soil: These trees thrive in well drained soil that is rich in organic material. If you are dealing with heavy clay, mix in plenty of compost and plant the root ball slightly above the soil line to prevent "wet feet" and root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, water your tree deeply twice a week to help the roots dive deep into the soil. While mature trees are quite drought tolerant, inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can cause the fruit to drop before it is ripe. Think of consistent moisture as the fuel the tree needs to keep the figs plump and juicy all the way to harvest.

Pruning Tips

Brown Turkey Figs primarily fruit on new wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter while the tree is still dormant. Focus on thinning out the center of the tree to improve airflow and light penetration, which acts like opening a window for the fruit to ripen. Removing older, unproductive branches encourages the vigorous new growth where your largest crop will form.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid applying high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this pushes soft green growth that cannot handle the winter cold. This late season growth is too tender to survive the first freeze and often leads to unnecessary dieback.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Self-pollinating, Edible, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Thornless, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	10-15 ft
Width	12-15 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Fig
Botanical Name	Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
Species	carica
Cultivar	Brown Turkey
Class	Rosales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Do you love Figs to enjoy fresh or dried and in special recipes? Forget about paying high prices at the grocery store, when it's so easy to grow your own tree! Foodies take note! There is nothing like a hand-picked Fig fresh from your own tree, still warm from the sun.

Dual crops of wonderful fruit can be harvested each year from the lively Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'). Sweet, lush, delectable fruit features purplish to rusty-red skin and blush pink flesh.

The first breba crop arrives from late spring to early summer. Then you'll soon be rewarded with the main crop sometime in early fall.

Brown Turkey Fig fans praise the rich, mild flavor, and subtle sweetness that works well in many dishes. The fruit is outstanding for home preserves, canning, drying or eating fresh as a healthy snack. The bronze fruits feature sumptuous red flesh and snappy edible seeds. Fresh figs are a true Epicurean delight. A ripe breba Brown Turkey is soft and mild, with notes of hazelnuts and pastry.

It's so satisfying to harvest incredibly fresh figs for snacking, baking and more from your very own tree. Best of all, you'll know exactly how your food was cared for over many productive years. Pick the ripe Figs when the texture turns soft. Use garden shears or hand-pick your crops with a gentle tug upward. Enjoy!

It is a lovely ornamental plant, as well. Distinctive, huge, light green leaves fill out the grey branches. Enjoy their fun and funky look and spicy fragrance all season long. Although Brown Turkey Figs can grow to a medium height of 10 - 15 feet tall and 12 - 15 feet wide, they can also be pruned easily to keep them at the right height for you.

Grow a Brown Turkey Fig in the ground in warmer Zones where the climate is cooperative. Or, plant your tree in a large container in colder Zones or if space is at a premium. Brown Turkey Fig trees are partially self-pollinating, so you'll just need one for fruit. If you love figs, get yourself two or add another variety. Like most fruiting plants, a partner tree will really boost your productivity.

Planting and Application:

Yes, you can plant Brown Turkey in a container and grow fruit from your deck, patio or balcony! It's also very tolerant of urban conditions, so you can enjoy fresh fruit in the heart of the city. Use them along a pool deck or near your kitchen door to have handy ingredients for hors d'oeuvres.

Brown Turkey Fig belongs in every edible landscape! Any way you use it, Brown Turkey Fig can become a cherished specimen plant for you. The foliage and ornamental fruit definitely bring a high-end look to your landscape.

Brown Turkey is a great ornamental plant, either in the ground or in containers. The lush, large, tropical-looking foliage can screen out ugly views for you. Low branches provide wonderful screening to block unsightly views. It is also one of the best for containers grown as patio décor. Even container-grown plants can be placed "strategically" to boost your privacy. Use them very successfully as a wonderfully useful hedge.

To create a solid, fruitful screen, plant them 5 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Grow them informally, not sheared.

The size of this tree will vary with the climate where it is being grown. In warm climates, they grow larger. In-ground trees can be used as a marvelous backdrop along a fence line. In growing Zones 5 and 6, just cover it well, or bring your container into an unheated garage or shed to go dormant over the winter. When you bring it back outside, the show begins again!

(Pro tip: get a sturdy plant caddy with wheels on the bottom. Place your container on top of the caddy first, before you fill it with dirt and plant your fig. It will make your life a lot easier!)

In Zones 5 and 6, in-ground plants may die back to the ground each year. They'll become a shrubbier plant with new growth from the roots each year. Consider them a landscape shrub that needs winter protection.

Two Harvests a Year!
Breba Crop in Spring & Main Crop in Early Fall
Healthy & Sweet Fruit - Mild Nutty Tasting Edible Seeds
Amazing, Fragrant Lobed Foliage
Prolific, Vigorous Tree & Long-Lived
Edible Landscaping, Screening/Privacy, Containers, Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

You don't need to have a green thumb to grow a Fig tree! They don't require a lot of fuss to keep them looking and performing their best. Simply plant your tree where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. They'll do best in well-drained soil.

Handle with care when planting your Fig, as their roots display some sensitivity. Take your time and gently place the root ball into your planting hole. Follow planting instructions on your order confirmation and on our website. Use Nature Hills Root Booster to get your new Fig tree off on the right start!

Give Fig trees an even amount of water on a regular basis to avoid splitting fruit. Use the Finger Test to determine when to water. Stick your finger into the soil near the plant up to the 2nd knuckle. Getting dry? Time to water. Still moist? Skip watering and check in a day or two. They'll like a thick layer of mulch over their root systems, and you'll appreciate the savings on your water bill. Pull mulch back 6 inches back from the trunk.

Brown Turkey requires hard pruning to keep its wide-spreading nature under control and promote a heavy main crop each season. Prune in winter while your tree is dormant. This is one of the best to Espalier; a pruning technique that has been popular in Europe for generations.

This selection of Fig Tree is cold-hardy down to zones 5, 6, and 7 outdoors but will need some winter insulation/protection to survive. Some people do grow them in containers so they can be wintered in unheated garages, cool greenhouses, or areas where the plants remain dormant but will not get colder than about 20°F. These trees don't do best being brought in as houseplants, and do need to go dormant for winter, but can be temporarily housed indoors during extreme weather.

Brown Turkey is a hardier selection that can be grown in the ground and will overwinter outside if the root system is heavily mulched and protected by a cage filled
with straw or mulch of some kind.

Can Be Grown in Containers in Zones 5 & 6 With Dormant Winter Protection
Must Have Full Sun
Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Open Eye Variety
Prune During Dormancy
Low Chill - About 100 Hours
Virtually Pest Free

Sweet tree-ripe Figs are one of the world's best taste and growing experiences. Plant your own Brown Turkey Fig to enjoy two crops a year! Order today at Nature Hills!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Brown Turkey Fig Trees grow in zone 5 or colder climates, and how do I protect them in winter?

Brown Turkey Fig trees are not reliably hardy in zone 5 or colder without protection. In cold climates, grow them in large containers and move indoors for winter, or wrap in-ground trees with burlap and mulch heavily. Container growing is your best bet for consistent fruit production.

How much sun and space does a Brown Turkey Fig Tree need around it?

Brown Turkey Fig Trees need full sun and grow 10-15 feet tall and wide at maturity. They're easily pruned to fit smaller spaces or can be grown in large containers for colder zones. Plant yours with adequate spacing for air circulation, available at naturehills.com.

Is the Brown Turkey Fig Tree self-pollinating and will it produce fruit without a partner tree?

Yes, Brown Turkey Fig trees are partially self-pollinating and will produce fruit with just one tree. You'll get two crops annually - the breba crop in late spring to early summer, then the main harvest in early fall. For maximum fruit production, consider planting a second Brown Turkey or different fig variety.

What are the watering and fertilizing requirements for a new Brown Turkey Fig Tree?

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the growing season, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. New Brown Turkey Figs benefit from balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer. Reduce watering in fall as the tree prepares for dormancy.

Does the Brown Turkey Fig Tree need much pruning, and when should I do it?

Brown Turkey Fig trees are easy to prune and can be maintained at any desired height below their natural 10-15 feet. Prune during dormancy in late winter before new growth begins. Focus on removing dead wood and controlling size to keep fruit within reach when you shop at Nature Hills.

Is it okay to grow Brown Turkey Fig Tree in a container or pot, and how do I manage it?

Yes, Brown Turkey Fig trees grow excellently in large containers, especially in colder zones. This allows you to move the tree indoors for winter protection or manage space limitations. Choose a substantial container and prune regularly to maintain manageable size.

Brown Turkey Fig Tree

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'