Little Ruby Fig is a diminutive marvel from Washington State that defies its small stature with remarkable productivity in cool climates. This cultivar, which originated near Olympia and was brought into commercial cultivation by fig enthusiast Denny McGaughy, produces adorable bite-sized fruits with amber-mauve skin and a striking strawberry pink interior. Hardy in zones 6-10 and reaching just 4-6 feet tall, it's small enough to grow as a bonsai specimen yet reliable enough to set both a summer breba crop and a full fall harvest in maritime regions where other figs struggle.
Full Sun
Moderate
7-10
72in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
What makes Little Ruby exceptional is its dual-season productivity and genuine cold hardiness, it regularly ripens a fall crop in Western Washington and other cool-summer areas while also setting an overwintering summer crop that few figs can manage. The fruits themselves are petite and sweet with an unusual pink-centered flesh that feels almost too charming to eat. Its compact growth habit makes it adaptable to small spaces, containers, or even bonsai training, bringing fig cultivation within reach for gardeners in regions typically considered too cool for this Mediterranean classic.
Little Ruby figs are eaten fresh as a sweet, delicate snack, the small size makes them perfect for popping whole into your mouth. Their strawberry pink flesh and sweet flavor lend themselves well to fresh eating straight from the tree, though their modest size means you'll want several fruits to make much of a preserves batch. The compact plant size also makes this variety popular for container growing in cooler climates, bringing fig cultivation to patios and small gardens where space is limited.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant Little Ruby to its permanent location in spring after the last frost date for your zone. Choose a spot with full sun exposure and ensure soil drains freely—figs despise waterlogged roots. Space plants at least 4-6 feet apart if planting multiples, though the compact growth habit means a single specimen can thrive in containers or small spaces.
Little Ruby produces two crops, a summer breba crop that overwinters on the tree, and a main fall crop. Harvest fruits when they shift from green to their characteristic amber-mauve color with hints of pink, indicating peak ripeness and sweetness. The small, bite-sized fruits should come away easily with gentle pressure; don't force them, as ripe figs release naturally from the branch. In Western Washington and similar cool maritime climates, the main fall harvest typically occurs from August through October, while the summer crop appears in June.
Little Ruby's compact growth habit requires minimal pruning, making it well-suited for gardeners who prefer lower-maintenance fruit trees. Light shaping in early spring can direct growth and encourage branching, particularly if you're training it as a bonsai or container specimen. Remove any crossing or diseased branches, and thin overly dense interior growth to improve air circulation.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Little Ruby emerged from the fig-growing community near Olympia, Washington, where it caught the attention of Denny McGaughy, a fig breeder who later introduced the Olympian fig into commercial cultivation. Rather than being bred in a laboratory, this variety represents the kind of discovery that happens when passionate gardeners pay attention to what grows well in their own challenging climate. McGaughy recognized something special in Little Ruby's ability to fruit reliably in the Pacific Northwest's cool summers and short growing season, and brought it to Raintree Nursery, where it became available to home gardeners seeking fig varieties that could actually thrive beyond the traditional warm zones.”