How to Grow Violette de Bordeaux Fig
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Violette de Bordeaux Fig
Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux'
fruitViolette de Bordeaux is a compact fig cultivar producing small to medium, dark purple fruits with rich, sweet flavor and excellent productivity. This French heirloom variety is prized for both fresh eating and drying, and is ideal for container growing due to its manageable size.
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Example Violette de Bordeaux Fig timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Violette de Bordeaux 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 Violette de Bordeaux 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 7-10; can be grown in zone 6 with winter protection
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Get my Violette de Bordeaux Fig timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First yearYoung fig tree developing root system and basic branch structure
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide stake support; prune only dead/crossing branches; apply mulch around base
Vegetative Growth
Year 1-2Tree develops larger canopy and secondary branches; no fruiting yet
Remove suckers and thin crowded branches; maintain open vase shape; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding; water moderately
Flowering & Fruit Set
Late spring through summerTree produces breba crop (spring figs) and main crop flowers; small green then developing figs appear
Maintain consistent moisture during fruit development; resist over-pruning; pinch excessive growth to redirect energy to fruit
Fruit Development & Ripening
6-8 weeks depending on heatFigs swell and change color from green to deep purple-black; fruits become increasingly sweet
Water regularly but allow slight soil drying between waterings; stop nitrogen fertilizing; monitor for pests
Harvest & Dormancy
Late summer through fall; winter dormancyFruits reach full ripeness and drop or are harvested; tree prepares for winter dormancy
Harvest ripe figs daily; cease feeding; reduce watering; prune minimally in fall; apply winter protection in zone 6
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning; use yellow sticky traps; encourage natural predators; neem oil as last resort
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Increase humidity with regular misting; strong water spray on foliage; neem oil or horticultural oil; sulfur dust
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage parasitic wasps
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Generally beneficial for pollination; only problematic if creating galls—remove affected figs
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Bird netting over fruiting branches; reflective tape; scare tactics; companion planting with thorny shrubs
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryViolette de Bordeaux figs are prized for their rich, sweet flavor with honey and jammy notes, perfect for fresh eating, fruit platters, tarts, and gourmet dishes. Their small size and high sugar content make them ideal for both simple enjoyment and sophisticated cooking. [source]
Drying and preservation
CulinaryThis variety dries exceptionally well due to high sugar density, creating naturally sweet dried figs for snacking, baking, and year-round storage. Dried Violette de Bordeaux figs maintain concentrated sweetness and are excellent for making jam, paste, or fig paste (pâte de fruits). [source]
Digestive and nutritional health
MedicinalFigs are traditional digestive aids containing dietary fiber and compounds that support gut health. They provide polyphenols, potassium, and calcium, supporting digestive regularity and overall mineral nutrition. [source]
Container gardening solution
HouseholdViolette de Bordeaux's compact growth habit (6-10 feet) and high productivity make it ideal for pots, patios, and limited-space gardens. Container cultivation also allows moving the tree indoors for winter protection in cold climates. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeFig trees support specialized fig wasps essential for fruit development and attract birds, bees, and beneficial insects. The fruits provide important nutrition for wildlife in summer and fall. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Violette de Bordeaux typically produces both a breba crop (early spring figs) and a main summer crop. Harvest when figs are soft to gentle touch, deeply colored purple-black, and slightly drooping. Pick figs with a slight twist or cut with scissors; they do not continue ripening after harvest. Morning harvest is best for fresh eating. Figs are ready 6-8 weeks after flower appearance. Peak production occurs in mid to late summer.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Violette de Bordeaux is a French heirloom variety that has been cultivated since at least the 19th century and is prized by European gardeners for its exceptional productivity and cold hardiness among fig varieties.
- 🌱 Fig fruits are not technically fruits but inverted flowers—what we eat is actually a hollow receptacle containing tiny flowers that bloom inside, which is why figs are unique among cultivated crops.
- 🌱 A single mature Violette de Bordeaux fig tree can produce 100-200+ figs per season despite its compact size, making it one of the most productive fruit trees for home gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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