Fig
Can I Grow Chicago Hardy?
Chicago Hardy is the cold-hardiest fig — surviving Zone 6 winters when mulched heavily or grown in containers. The medium-sized purple fruit has rich, sweet flavor.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
100
Hardiness Zones
6-7-8-9-10
Harvest
August to October
Results
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Pruning dates, harvests, spray schedules, what worked. The gardeners who get the most from their trees are the ones who kept records.
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About Chicago Hardy
Chicago Hardy is the cold-hardiest fig — surviving Zone 6 winters when mulched heavily or grown in containers. The medium-sized purple fruit has rich, sweet flavor.
Chicago Hardy requires 100 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
Dies to ground in cold winters (regrows from roots); may not ripen second crop before frost in short seasons.
❌ Common Misconception
Will Chicago Hardy produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Chicago Hardy only needs 100 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (5 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 6-10 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
If you plant it, write it down.
Variety, rootstock, planting date — and every pruning and harvest after that. Future you will thank you.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
Other Fig Varieties
Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.