The Beauty and Legacy of Figs: Why This Ancient Fruit Belongs in Modern Desert Gardens

Looking to add a fig tree to your landscape? Celebrate Figtember at Mojave Bloom Nursery! Explore unique fig varieties, all 15% off throughout September. Plus, receive a special Figtember gift with your purchase while supplies last. (Valid from 09/01/2026-09/30/2026)

It's a lesser known fact that our owner, Norm Schilling, loves figs. For him, figs have a quiet kind of magic. Not the loud, flashy kind, but the kind you discover slowly, one ripe fruit and one beautiful tree at a time. For many gardeners, that connection doesn’t start with obsession but with curiosity.

“I wasn’t drawn to figs in the beginning,” Norm shared. “I started experiencing them in the landscape, and when I tried the fruit, I wasn’t even sure I liked them. But the more I tasted them, the more delicious they became. Now I absolutely relish eating a perfect fig fresh off the tree.”

That evolution, from unsure to enchanted, is a story many fig lovers share. And once you fall for figs, you start to see them everywhere. In their sculptural trunks, ornate leaves, delicate fruit, and their millennia-long history woven through human civilization.

A Fruit With a 10,000-Year Story

Figs are among the very first plants humans ever cultivated. Archaeologists have found evidence of fig domestication in the Jordan Valley dating back around 11,000 years, predating even wheat and barley. They were staples of the earliest Mesopotamian gardens, symbols of abundance in ancient cultures, and appear across religious and historical texts.

To eat a fig fresh off the tree today is to participate in one of the oldest human food traditions which is a thread that connects modern gardeners directly to ancient ones.

What Makes Figs So Special?

Most people only know figs from the produce aisle if they’ve even seen them there at all. Commercial figs are often disappointing because figs are famously delicate. They bruise easily, spoil quickly, and are usually harvested early for transport, long before that melt-in-your-mouth ripeness develops.

“There are so many varieties, all with their own flavor profiles,” Norm said. “And beyond the fruit, the trees themselves are gorgeous. The shapes of the leaves, the almost white bark, the way different species look totally different. They’re truly living art.”

In a home landscape, figs offer:

• Beautiful architecture and bold, lobed leaves

• Fruit that tastes dramatically better than store-bought

• Varieties suited to compact spaces

• A connection to ancient horticultural tradition

A Sustainable, Climate-Smart Choice

In the desert, sustainability matters, and figs fit beautifully into that conversation. Growing figs at home reduces the environmental impact of packaged, transported, and refrigerated produce. Surprisingly, the water used to grow supermarket figs often comes from the same Colorado River Basin we rely on in our landscapes. So there’s is a possibility of no extra water usage when you grow your own, and you get organic, perfectly ripe fruit with no waste.

“Figs are incredibly short-lived once picked, which is why they don’t lend themselves to supermarkets,” Norm explained. “When you pick them yourself, they’re fresh, flavorful, and exactly how you want them.”

What Fig Trees Give Back to Your Garden

While some large figs can provide generous shade, they can also grow tall enough that harvesting becomes difficult. For urban and desert gardens, small to medium varieties are ideal. Proper pruning keeps fruit accessible, improves airflow, and reduces mess from fruit that drops before it’s picked.

Rare and Remarkable Varieties

One of the joys of figs is the sheer number of varieties. Hundreds, each with its own quirks, colors, and flavors. And for growers in Las Vegas, uniqueness matters.

“Anything you can’t find at a big box store is instantly more interesting to me,” Norm said.

“Two of my favorites are Little Miss Figgy for its compact size and Violette de Bordeaux for its incredible flavor. But there are so many I haven’t tasted yet. New favorites will appear.”

A new addition to Norm’s collection is the Italian variety I-258, known for its complex flavor and long fruiting season which is a dream for home gardeners who love extended harvests.

At Mojave Bloom Nursery, the mission is to bring in figs that not only survive but thrive in the Las Vegas Valley choosing varieties carefully chosen for performance, flavor, and beauty.

Why Aren’t More People Growing Figs?

Trends shape the nursery industry, and figs, at least the rare and truly remarkable ones,  haven’t had their moment yet. Most retailers carry the same few varieties, which limits awareness and excitement.

But in reality? Figs are extremely accessible for beginners here at Mojave Bloom, where we work hard to offer unique, desert adapted fig varieties. 

“Whether you have one fig or more, they’re a beautiful, fruitful addition to any garden,” Norm shared.

Tips for Planting and Caring for Figs

If you’re ready to plant a fig tree, here are some tried-and-true tips:

• Amend the soil well before planting.

• Use organic mulch generously. Figs appreciate cool, protected roots.

• Place irrigation emitters directly at the root ball and again several feet out to encourage wide, healthy roots.

• Extend mulch to and beyond the drip line to conserve moisture and build soil health.

• Prune to maintain size and keep fruit within reach.

With proper care, figs are long-lived, productive, and surprisingly adaptable in desert conditions.

A Living Link to the Ancient World

“I feel a connection through figs. A connection to the history of gardens in the Middle East dating back millennia. Knowing that people thousands of years ago were eating the same fruit I am today is so neat to me. Fig trees are incredible.”

Figs aren’t just fruit trees. They’re heritage plants. Growing one in your backyard is a way to participate in a story that began long before modern gardening, and will continue long after.

Looking to add a fig tree to your landscape? Celebrate Figtember 2026 at Mojave Bloom Nursery! Explore more than 10 unique fig varieties, all 15% off throughout September. Plus, receive a special Figtember gift with your purchase while supplies last. (Valid from 09/01/2026-09/30/2026)

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Want help taking these ideas beyond the pot and into your yard? Norm Schilling and the team at Schilling Horticulture Group design and care for desert landscapes across the Las Vegas Valley — built to thrive here, not just survive. Explore their work at schillinghorticulture.com.