The Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’, more commonly known simply as the Brown Turkey fig, is one of the most popular and reliable fig varieties for both indoor and outdoor growing. Loved for its rich green foliage and generous harvests, it brings a touch of the Mediterranean to any home or garden.
The plant displays large, heart-shaped leaves that are dark green and slightly glossy, sometimes showing a subtle purple hue on the underside. The foliage is dense and lush, giving the plant a vibrant, tropical appearance even when it’s not in fruit. While the flowers are small and inconspicuous, the Brown Turkey is celebrated for its abundant, sweet figs rather than its blooms.
As it matures, this fig can grow up to 2–3 metres in height when planted outdoors, but when cultivated in a pot—like this compact 40 cm tall, 15 cm wide specimen—it remains manageable and easy to maintain. The Brown Turkey produces two crops per year: a smaller breba crop in early summer, followed by a larger main harvest in late summer to early autumn. The fruits are medium to large, with brownish-purple skins and a soft, amber-pink interior that is both sweet and mildly honeyed.
When it comes to care, this fig prefers a bright location with indirect sunlight, though it can tolerate some shade. It thrives in well-draining soil and benefits from being placed in a sheltered spot, away from cold winds or frost. It can be grown outdoors in warmer climates or as a decorative indoor plant in cooler regions. During the growing season, keep the top layer of soil consistently moist, watering weekly in warmer months, and reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.
The Brown Turkey fig is deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves in winter before sprouting fresh foliage in spring. It has no thorns, and while not a scented plant, the ripening figs release a pleasantly sweet fragrance.
Note: Like other figs, the Brown Turkey’s milky sap can be mildly toxic or cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, so handle with care and keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Overall, the Ficus ‘Brown Turkey’ is an easy-going, rewarding plant that combines attractive foliage with delicious fruit—perfect for adding both beauty and flavour to your living space or garden.
