Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific' is a heavy cropping deciduous fig with pale green to yellow skinned fruit and sweet amber flesh. It forms a dense, spreading tree carrying the broad lobed leaves typical of the species, and it often sets an early breba crop ahead of the main summer harvest.

It performs in full sun on free draining ground and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage while dormant. Once established it handles dry spells, though steady moisture during fruit fill improves size. Expect 20 to 40 centimetres of growth a year. Warm temperate, Mediterranean and cooler inland districts all suit it.

Reaching 3 to 5 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide, it works as a backyard fruit tree, an edible screen planted 3 metres apart, or a container specimen on a courtyard. The pale fruit draws less bird attention than dark skinned figs, so more of the crop reaches the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Preston Prolific Fig

What is a Preston Prolific Fig?

Preston Prolific is an Australian raised fig cultivar with a reputation for heavy, dependable crops. The fruit has pale green to yellow skin and sweet amber flesh, and the tree is a dense, spreading deciduous fig with the usual broad lobed leaves. It commonly sets both a breba crop and a main crop.

How big does it grow?

Expect 3 to 5 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide at maturity, with a dense spreading habit. Pruning keeps it lower and easier to harvest without costing you the crop, since figs fruit on current season wood. Space trees 3 to 4 metres apart as features, or 3 metres apart in a row.

What colour is the fruit?

The skin ripens pale green through to a soft greenish yellow rather than purple, and the flesh inside is amber to light pink with a sweet, mild flavour. Because the fruit does not darken, judging ripeness comes down to feel rather than colour, so pick when the fig softens and the neck droops.

When does it fruit?

The main harvest falls in summer and early autumn, roughly January to March, with an earlier breba crop on older wood in late spring in warmer districts. Ripening is staggered over several weeks rather than arriving all at once, which suits a home grower picking a handful at a time.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. The tree stands bare and dormant through winter and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage in that state. New spring shoots can be burnt by a late frost, though fresh growth follows soon after. Good drainage matters more to fig survival in cold districts than any frost protection.

Can it be grown in a pot?

Yes. It suits a large tub on a courtyard or terrace, where root restriction keeps the tree compact and often brings fruiting forward a season. Use a container of at least 50 to 60 centimetres, water steadily through summer and prune each winter to maintain a manageable framework.

How do I care for a Preston Prolific Fig?

Plant in full sun with free draining soil, mulch to keep the roots cool and water deeply while the fruit is filling. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in early spring and avoid high nitrogen. Prune in late winter to open the centre, and net if birds start taking fruit as it softens.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' works in an:

Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Is Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' frost tolerant?

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' Flower?

Ficus carica ‘Preston Prolific’ does not produce visible flowers; instead, its flowers develop internally inside the fruit. These hidden floral structures mature into generous crops of large, sweet figs with soft amber flesh, offering seasonal interest through ripening stages rather than ornamental bloom.

Does Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer
Autumn

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is Native to A cultivated form of the common fig (Ficus carica), which originates from the Mediterranean and Middle East, where it has been grown for thousands of years.

What is the Wildlife Value of Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' ?

Its ripe figs attract fruit-eating birds, bees, wasps and beneficial insects, while the spreading deciduous canopy provides shade and shelter for small wildlife. Fallen fruit also supports ground-dwelling insects, helping create a rich, biodiverse orchard environment.

How much Sunlight does Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' need?

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Ficus carica ‘Preston Prolific’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vigorous fruiting, consistent growth and strong drought resilience.

Is Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' Drought Tolerant?

Is Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Preston Prolific’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry and coastal climates and continues to produce abundant, good-quality fruit with only occasional deep watering during extended dry spells.

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How To Plant Your Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Ficus carica 'Preston Prolific Fig' in Different Soil

Ficus carica performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are the fruits of 'Preston Prolific' suitable for drying? Yes, their dense flesh and sweet profile make them ideal candidates for drying.
Is cross-pollination required for this fig variety? No, 'Preston Prolific' is self-fertile and does not necessitate another fig tree for pollination.