Cold-Hardy, Sweet-Fruited, and Built for Backyard Bounty
The Chicago Hardy Fig (Ficus carica) is a cold-tolerant fruit tree that combines resilience and rich flavor, making it one of the best fig varieties for northern growers and subtropical gardens alike. Also known as Bensonhurst Purple Fig, this hardy cultivar is celebrated for its ability to survive winter temperatures down to 10°F and regrow from the roots even after heavy frosts.
What truly sets Chicago Hardy apart is its delicious fruit—medium-sized figs with deep purple skin and lush, strawberry-colored flesh that’s sweet, juicy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for fresh eating, drying, jams, and preserves, these figs ripen from mid-summer through fall, often producing two crops per year in warmer climates.
This self-fertile, fast-growing variety can be grown in-ground in USDA Zones 6-10, or in large containers for gardeners in colder regions. Its attractive lobed foliage, compact form, and productive habit make it an excellent choice for edible landscapes, urban gardens, and food forests.