The Black Jack Fig is a sweet, versatile addition to your garden and kitchen. This functional tree does well in many climates, conditions, and containers.
Read on and learn about growing the tree, even in small spaces, and how to enjoy the fruit of your labor. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, if you can provide plenty of sunshine, you can grow a fig tree!
Looking to buy a Black Jack Fig tree? Check availability.
Characteristics
The Black Jack Fig is characterized by deep purple or brown skin and a contrasting pink interior. A healthy tree will produce plenty of large fruit.
You can compare it to Black Mission or Brown Turkey figs in appearance and flavor. And some fig connoisseurs claim that there is hardly any discernable difference between these types.
Where the Black Jack tree differs in its class is that it’s a semi-dwarf variety. You can distinguish it from comparable fig fruit trees by its petite, bushy size. Its non-dwarf cousins grow to an average of 25 to 40 feet high.
The tree can be as small as six feet tall and wide with pruning. If you choose not to prune, you can expect a height and width of up to 15 feet.
The compact size and bountiful fruit make this tree a good fit for any garden.
Ways to Enjoy the Black Jack Fig: Preparing and Eating
Your hardy Black Jack Fig tree will never leave you wanting for sweet, juicy fruit. So how can you make the most of your harvest?
Sometimes the most straightforward recipes are the tastiest. Black Jack Figs are delicious raw and sliced fresh from the vine. You can dehydrate the fig slices in your oven over low heat for several hours for a healthy, portable snack.
When you are ready to take your figs from simple to sublime, drizzle each cut half with honey and broil. Serve with soft cheese, like brie or gorgonzola, for a savory treat in no time.
Blend Black Jack Figs in with your favorite smoothies or homemade popsicles. For kids, chop the figs and mix them into their favorite yogurt. They will love the bright addition!
This vibrant fruit also shines in preserves and jams. Spread it on English muffins, or add a bit to elevate your next charcuterie board. Try this homemade fig jam recipe to extend the life of your fig haul.
You will find many uses for figs in your kitchen. This beauty can quickly become the star of any dish, like this Phenomenal Fig Pizza recipe. And though they do contain a lot of sugar, these tasty figs offer plenty of healthy reasons to indulge.
Looking for a classic fig recipe? Give these Fig Rolls a try.
Where to Find Black Jack Figs
Look for delicious Black Jack and other fig varieties at your local farmer’s market. Specialty and organic grocers may also be worth a look to satisfy your cravings.
Health Benefits
Like other fig varieties, the Black Jack Fig has many health benefits. Some research has suggested that eating figs can aid in lowering blood pressure. Even the American Heart Association recommends adding figs to a heart-healthy diet.
In addition to heart benefits, it is rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A and C. Talk about an immune booster!
If you are concerned about gut health, they are known to help with digestion. Figs are high in fiber and act as a natural laxative. They are also a source of prebiotics that support digestive health.
Are you ready for a Black Jack Fig tree of your own? Keep reading and learn how to get growing!
Growing Your own Black Jack Fig Tree
The Black Jack Fig tree is both climate-hardy and drought-tolerant. It will thrive best with plenty of sunlight but can withstand cold as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones seven through 10, this fig tree would love to be in your garden!
As a dwarf tree, it is ideal for small spaces. If you plan to keep it miniature, keep it cut back (or pruned) to a height of six to eight feet.
You can plant it directly in the ground or in a favorite container. Spring is the best time for planting, regardless of your preferred location. You may even be able to harvest figs that same year and twice a year after that.
Like many trees, the Black Jack Fig tree must be well watered after planting and less once established. If your tree lives in a container, ensure it can drain well. No one likes soggy roots!
The fruit ripens on the tree during late summer through the fall. You can begin collecting your syrupy, beautiful figs when they begin to droop from the branches, reach a deep color, and soften.
Where to Buy a Tree
When you are ready to bring home a Black Jack Fig tree of your own, a local garden center or nursery is a great place to start. The staff there will be able to help you to select a plant and answer questions about growing in your climate.
Or, if you prefer, you can also order saplings from a reputable grower online — we recommend the Black Jack fig tree sold by one of our favorite retailers, Nature Hills Nursery.
That’s it for the Black Jack Fig
The Black Jack Fig tree is the perfect low-maintenance addition to your landscape. Water and pruning are all it needs to produce sweet fruit in a container or planted in the ground.
These jewel-toned treasures will be the centerpiece of your table year after year, no matter how you serve them.
Visit our Fig Trees page to learn more about these fantastic trees and the fruit they produce.
Gary
Tuesday 6th of June 2023
I had a wonderful 20-year-old black jack fig tree that provided gallons of fruit annually. I didn’t start pruning it until the last few years of its life so it got a little unruly in the space it was in. Then hurricane Ida blew it over just enough to break it from its primary root, and it died. But luckily, over the years I had given clippings to a neighbor who had quite the green thumb, and sure enough she had several growing in her backyard and let me dig up three of them. Now, these children of my late wife’s tree are thriving in containers in my yard.