The Lebanese Red Fig is a self-fertile common fig originating from Tripoli, Lebanon, brought to market by Bassem Samaan of Trees of Joy nursery. This variety produces an abundant early crop with characteristics similar to the English Brown Turkey, thriving in hardiness zones 7 through 10 in full sun. Medium-sized fruits develop a unique flavor profile blending fruity, tropical, sweet, and acidic notes with hints of complexity, making each harvest a dynamic taste experience.
Full Sun
—
7-10
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This Lebanese variety excels where many figs struggle: it produces a generous breba crop early in the season and demonstrates excellent rain resistance, a trait rarely found in fig cultivars. The combination of cold hardiness, outstanding rooting ease, and proven success in containers means you can grow it in zones 7 and above without the fussiness that stops other fig varieties. Its small eye characteristic helps prevent fruit splitting during wet spells, a practical advantage that translates to more reliable harvests year after year.
As a fig, the Lebanese Red is grown for fresh eating. Its diverse flavor profile with fruity, tropical, and sweet undertones, balanced by refreshing acidity, suggests it shines eaten fresh when fully ripe, with the potential to complement both simple fruit plates and more elaborate culinary preparations.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
A unique combination of flavors, blending fruity, tropical, sweet, and acidic notes. This diverse profile creates a dynamic taste experience, often with hints of complexity and refreshing undertones.
Harvest figs when they are fully ripe and slightly soft to the touch; ripe fruits will hang downward slightly from the branch. The breba crop (early season fruit) arrives before the main late-season crop, so watch for fruits developing through spring and early summer for an extended harvest window. Pick fruit in the morning after the dew dries for the best flavor and texture.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“The Lebanese Red Fig carries the fingerprints of one man's mission to preserve and share exceptional cultivars. Bassem Samaan, founder of Trees of Joy nursery, discovered this variety in Tripoli, Lebanon, and recognized its potential for gardeners beyond its native region. He introduced it to the wider market, recognizing that its traits resembled the respected English Brown Turkey fig but with distinct advantages of its own. This cultivar represents not just a plant variety, but a conscious effort to connect gardeners across continents to the agricultural heritage of the Levantine region.”