How to Grow Lattarula Fig
Lattarula Fig
Ficus carica 'Lattarula'
treeLattarula is an Italian fig variety prized for its sweet, amber-colored flesh and excellent flavor. This is a breba crop fig, meaning it produces fruit on first-year wood in early summer, with some secondary crop potential. The tree is moderately vigorous and well-suited to container cultivation and warm climates.
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Example Lattarula Fig timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lattarula Fig
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lattarula Fig
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11; hardy down to 10-15°F with winter protection
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Get my Lattarula Fig timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
12 monthsYoung tree focuses on root development and basic framework. Minimal fruiting; primarily leaf growth.
Water regularly to establish roots. Apply mulch. Light pruning to shape structure. Avoid heavy fertilization.
Development (Years 2-3)
24 monthsTree grows taller and fuller. First breba (early season) figs begin to appear on branch tips.
Maintain consistent watering. Thin competing branches. Begin light harvesting if figs form. Protect from extreme cold.
Breba Fruiting (Early Summer, Years 3+)
6-8 weeksLarge figs develop on previous year's branches in late spring to early summer. Fruits are typically larger and earlier than main crop.
Maintain good sunlight exposure. Avoid excess nitrogen which delays ripening. Monitor for splitting in wet weather.
Main Crop Development (Summer-Fall)
8-12 weeksSecondary fruiting occurs on new growth; typically lighter production than breba crop. Figs form and ripen through late summer and early autumn.
Continue watering during dry periods. Support heavy fruit with ties if needed. Thin excessive fruit to encourage quality.
Dormancy (Winter)
8-12 weeksTree loses leaves and enters dormant phase. New wood hardens off in preparation for next season's breba crop.
Minimal water; allow soil to dry between waterings. Prune in late winter before spring growth. Provide frost protection in zones 8a-8b.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove infested branches; maintain tree health; apply neem oil in spring; keep prunings cleaned up
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Generally beneficial for pollination; control only if caprifying is not desired; netting can exclude if needed
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Spray with water; use miticide or neem oil if severe; increase humidity around foliage
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
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Horticultural oil spray in dormant season; prune heavily infested branches
Uses
Fresh Eating & Desserts
CulinaryLattarula figs are premium fresh-eating figs with excellent sweetness and honey-like flavor. They can be enjoyed fresh, or used in pastries, preserves, and fig paste (figello). [source]
Jam & Preserve Production
CulinaryThe high sugar content and firm flesh make Lattarula ideal for making jams, preserves, and dried figs. The amber color and flavor profile create elegant preserves prized in Mediterranean cooking. [source]
Digestive & Nutritional Support
MedicinalFigs are traditional digestive aids rich in fiber, potassium, and polyphenols. Fresh and dried figs support digestive health and provide natural energy and minerals. [source]
Ornamental & Edible Landscape
HouseholdLattarula fig trees serve as attractive ornamental specimens with architectural branching, large lobed leaves, and productive fruit crops. Excellent for Mediterranean-style gardens and containers. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Support
WildlifeFig flowers and developing fruit attract fig wasps (essential pollinators), bees, and beneficial insects. The tree provides food for birds and beneficial fauna. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest breba figs in late May through June when fully colored and soft to gentle touch. Pick in morning after dew dries. Figs do not ripen after harvest, so wait for complete color and slight wrinkling at the base. Use pruning shears to avoid bruising. Main crop figs harvest through September in most climates; in warmer zones, may extend into October.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lattarula is a traditional Italian fig variety, particularly prized in Sicily and southern Italy, where fig cultivation dates back centuries to ancient Roman times.
- 🌱 The name 'breba crop' comes from the Arabic word 'brikela,' referring to the early figs that develop on hardened wood from the previous year—a unique fig characteristic that makes them especially valuable for early summer harvest.
- 🌱 Figs were one of the first plants domesticated by humans (around 9500 BCE), predating both wheat and barley, making them among the oldest cultivated plants in the Mediterranean region.
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