Alma is a cold-hardy fig variety bred by Texas A&M University that thrives in southeastern regions and performs reliably across USDA hardiness zones 7-10. This self-fertile Common fig produces small to medium fruits and demonstrates exceptional resilience, flourishing in full sun and even adapting to marginal soils where other figs struggle. Developed through careful breeding at a leading agricultural institution, Alma brings scientific rigor and proven performance to the home orchard.
Full Sun
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7-10
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Moderate
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Alma emerged from a Texas A&M breeding program designed specifically to excel in southeastern growing conditions, and it delivers on that promise with genuine cold hardiness and adaptability. The trees display rich dark green foliage and accept a wide range of soil conditions, bouncing back even when planted in less-than-ideal earth. Its combination of hardiness, soil tolerance, and reliable production across multiple seasons makes it a genuinely practical choice for gardeners in cooler fig zones.
As an edible fig, Alma produces fruit suitable for fresh eating, and its small to medium size makes it manageable for harvesting and preserving. The mild seed crunch noted in its profile suggests a pleasant eating experience without the coarser texture some fig varieties carry.
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Figs reach eating ripeness when they soften slightly and the skin develops full color, typically in late summer and fall. Pick fruits that yield gently to pressure and have turned from green to their mature color. A small eye at the fruit's base opens slightly when ripe. Since Alma fruits throughout the season, check trees regularly and harvest ripe figs every few days at peak harvest time.
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“Alma was developed through a deliberate breeding program at Texas A&M University, crafted to meet the specific needs of southeastern gardeners who wanted fig trees that could survive harsher winters and thrive in regional soils. This cultivar goes by several other names, DFIC 31, Bellaclare #4, and also Fall Gold or Italian White, a naming history that reflects its journey through breeding trials and regional adoption. Rather than an accidental discovery or a century-old heirloom, Alma represents modern agricultural science at work, engineered from the ground up to solve real growing challenges.”