Fig 'LSU Gold' (Ficus carica)
Sweet Southern Favorite with Golden Skin and Honeyed Flavor
Fig 'LSU Gold' is a standout variety developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center for heat, humidity, and productivity in the Southeastern U.S.—and it’s one of the most flavorful golden-skinned figs you can grow.
This medium to large fig ripens to a soft yellow-gold and boasts rich, honey-sweet amber flesh with subtle berry notes. It’s perfect for fresh eating, preserves, or sun-drying. With its vigorous growth, disease resistance, and ability to produce a main crop and occasional breba crop, LSU Gold is ideal for warm-climate gardeners seeking high-yielding, low-fuss fruit trees that shine in edible landscapes and food forests.
Why Grow Fig 'LSU Gold'?
- Bears large, golden-yellow figs with sweet, honeyed flesh
- Heat- and humidity-tolerant—bred for Southern gardens
- Reliable main crop producer with occasional early crop (breba)
- Low-maintenance, self-pollinating, and disease-resistant
- Ideal for edible landscaping, containers, or espalier training
Growing Tips
LSU Gold prefers full sun and well-drained soil with moderate fertility. Water regularly during dry periods, especially while fruits are forming, but avoid soggy roots. In USDA Zones 8–10, it thrives in-ground; in colder zones, grow it in containers and protect during winter. Prune annually in late winter to shape and encourage airflow and productivity. Figs benefit from a thick mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Propagate by hardwood cuttings or air layering. Expect fruit within 1–2 years from planting under ideal conditions.