Celeste Fig Tree

Ficus carica ‘Celeste’, also sold as ‘Celestial’, is a cold-tolerant, multi-stemmed deciduous fig selected for small, very sweet fruit. It is self-pollinating, and its flexible branches can be trained against a wall or grown in a large container. ## Growing Conditions Plant in full sun to partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil. NC State Extension gives USDA zones 6b–10; plants at the colder end benefit from a sheltered site and winter mulch. The Missouri Botanical Garden records ‘Celestial’ as a name under which ‘Celeste’ is sometimes sold, supporting the identity used in this catalog record. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica-celeste/) [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?=&chr=26&isprofile=0&taxonid=367794) ## Fruit and Placement Expect a rounded shrub roughly 6–10 feet tall and wide, with large green leaves and purplish-bronze fruit with rose-colored flesh. The closed eye helps limit insect entry; fruit ripens from summer into fall and is suited to fresh eating or preserves. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica-celeste/) [Virginia Tech Extension](https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-760.html) ## Maintenance Prune dead, damaged, or crowded branches in late winter. Keep fallen fruit cleared, and wear gloves when pruning because the milky sap can irritate skin; wash exposed skin and keep it out of direct sunlight. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-carica-celeste/)