3 Lattarula Fig Starter Plug – Italian Honey Ficus carica Live Plant

Overview

Introduce the delightful taste of home-grown figs to your garden with this 3-pack of Lattarula fig starter plug plants. Also widely known as the Italian Honey fig tree, this exceptional variety of Ficus carica ‘Lattarula’ is celebrated for its prolific production of sweet, amber-fleshed fruit. These live starter plugs offer an excellent opportunity for both novice and experienced gardeners to cultivate a productive fig tree. The Lattarula fig is particularly prized for its cold-hardiness and self-pollinating nature, making it a reliable choice for many climates. Its juicy fruit boasts a distinct honey-like flavor and an appealing greenish-yellow skin, ripening to a beautiful golden hue. Whether you have ample garden space or prefer container gardening, the Lattarula fig starter plug adapts beautifully, providing a bountiful harvest of delicious figs.

Each Lattarula fig starter plug is a bare root plant, meaning it arrives without a pot or soil, ready for immediate planting. This method encourages robust root development once established in its new home. The Lattarula, or Ficus carica Lattarula, is an excellent addition to any edible landscape, offering both ornamental beauty and a generous yield of delectable fruit. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a popular choice for those looking to enjoy fresh figs directly from their own backyard or patio.

Key Benefits

Growing your own Lattarula fig tree offers a multitude of rewards, from fresh, delicious fruit to the satisfaction of nurturing a productive plant. These Lattarula fig starter plug plants provide a strong foundation for a thriving fig tree with several key advantages:

• Prolific Fruit Production: The Lattarula fig is known for its abundant crops of sweet, flavorful figs. You can expect a generous harvest once the tree matures, providing plenty of fruit for fresh eating, preserves, or baking.
• Exceptional Flavor: Often called the Italian Honey fig tree, this variety delivers fruit with a rich, honey-like sweetness and a delightful amber flesh. The unique taste is far superior to store-bought figs.
• Cold-Hardy Nature: This variety is notably cold-hardy, thriving in USDA zones 7–10. This resilience allows gardeners in cooler climates to successfully grow delicious figs, often with minimal winter protection.
• Self-Pollinating: The Lattarula fig is a self pollinating fig, meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit. This eliminates the need for cross-pollination and makes it a convenient choice for smaller gardens or container growing.
• Versatile Growth: These fig trees can be grown successfully both in the ground in suitable climates or in large containers, making them adaptable to various gardening setups, including patios and urban gardens.
• Attractive Foliage: Beyond its fruit, the Lattarula fig tree boasts attractive, lobed leaves, adding an ornamental touch to your garden or landscape throughout the growing season.
• Easy to Grow: Known for being relatively low-maintenance, the Ficus carica Lattarula is a good choice for gardeners of all experience levels, requiring basic care to flourish.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Lattarula fig starter plug plants, the esteemed Italian Honey fig tree, is straightforward and rewarding. To ensure a healthy and productive tree, understanding its basic needs is crucial. Upon arrival, plant your bare root fig starter plugs as soon as possible. Choose a location with ample sunlight and well-draining soil. Figs thrive in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent scorching, but generally, more sun equals more fruit.

When it comes to watering, young fig trees require consistent moisture to establish their root systems. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Once established, fig trees are somewhat drought-tolerant but will produce better fruit with consistent watering. For soil, a rich, well-draining loam is ideal. If planting in a container, use a high-quality potting mix formulated for fruit trees or general-purpose use. Fig trees also benefit from regular fertilization. During the growing season (spring through summer), feed with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Reduce fertilization in late summer and fall to prepare the tree for dormancy.

The cold hardy fig plant ‘Lattarula’ is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7-10. In zone 7, some winter protection may be necessary for young trees, especially during harsh cold snaps. This could involve mulching heavily around the base or wrapping container plants. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration. You can also prune to maintain a desired size and shape. Keep an eye out for common fig pests like fig rust or spider mites, addressing them promptly with appropriate organic or chemical controls.

Size & Details

This offering includes 3 Lattarula fig starter plug plants, commonly known as the Italian Honey fig tree. Each plant is shipped as a bare root starter plug, meaning it comes without a pot or soil, which is optimal for establishing a strong root system in its new environment. These young plants are typically 6-12 inches in height upon arrival, ready for planting into your garden or a larger container. The Lattarula fig is a moderately fast-growing tree, with mature plants typically reaching a height of 10-15 feet and a similar spread, though size can be controlled with pruning, especially in containers.

Expect your Ficus carica Lattarula to begin producing fruit within 2-3 years of planting, with increasing yields as the tree matures. The fruit typically ripens in late summer to early fall, offering a delicious harvest. This variety is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and productive cold hardy fig plant. The bare root format allows for efficient shipping and provides a cost-effective way to start several fig trees simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Lattarula fig starter plug get? A: A mature Lattarula fig starter plug, once grown into a tree, can reach 10-15 feet tall and wide. However, its size can be managed effectively through pruning, especially if grown in a container.
• Q: What condition will the Lattarula fig starter plugs arrive in? A: These are shipped as bare root starter plugs, meaning they will arrive without soil or a pot. This method ensures healthy roots and prepares the plant for robust growth once planted.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Italian Honey fig tree is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun. In colder zones (USDA 7), it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter or provided with protection.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Ficus carica Lattarula need? A: This fig tree requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. More sun generally leads to a more abundant harvest.
• Q: Is this Lattarula fig plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Lattarula fig is considered relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels. It requires consistent watering, proper sunlight, and occasional fertilization.
• Q: When is the best time to plant the Lattarula fig starter plug? A: The best time to plant bare root fig starter plugs is in early spring after the last frost, allowing the plant ample time to establish before the heat of summer.
• Q: Will this cold hardy fig plant survive winter in my zone? A: The cold hardy fig plant ‘Lattarula’ is suitable for USDA zones 7-10. In zone 7, young trees may benefit from winter protection such as heavy mulching or wrapping during severe cold.
• Q: How long until my Italian Honey fig tree produces fruit? A: You can typically expect your Italian Honey fig tree to begin producing fruit within 2-3 years of planting, with yields increasing significantly as the tree matures.
• Q: Can I grow this self pollinating fig in a container? A: Absolutely! The Lattarula fig is an excellent choice for container growing. Use a large pot (at least 15-20 gallons) and ensure good drainage.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for the Ficus carica Lattarula? A: A well-draining, rich loamy soil is ideal for the Ficus carica Lattarula. If planting in a container, use a high-quality potting mix designed for fruit trees.