Choosing fig varieties that grow well in humid weather is one of the most difficult tasks I have ever had. There are so many factors on which to decide upon.
What I can say straight away is that choosing the right variety is more important than any other part of the growing process you can influence.
If any of the deciding factors don’t apply to your situation, keep in mind that the list I will talk about later doesn’t mean those figs grow better in humid climates than warm, dry climates. They just, on average, survive the humidity better than others.
To understand why I chose certain varieties over others, I must explain my thought process behind the choice.
How to Choose Fig Varieties to Grow in Humid Weather
A lot of times, people base their choices only on how split-resistant the fig variety is. Although it is one of the main factors to consider, there are many more details to consider.
Besides, would you prefer average-tasting figs that did not split over amazingly tasteful ones where 30% of the crop split and went bad? I know I would prefer fewer figs but better-tasting ones, so I consider the taste one of the deciding factors in any fig-related debate.
Splitting, as many of you know, happens when a fig absorbs lots of water in a short time. The inner part grows, and the skin can’t grow fast enough, so it breaks.
I often like to see if any factors cancel each other out or at least mitigate the importance. Therefore, in this case, I thought about the length of the ripening process.
Although, not only the ripening process since it includes the whole time from when a fig is formed to fully ripe. The water affects it in that short window when a fig swells up to when it’s ready to be picked. The shorter that window is, the lower the chance to split or sour will be.
Required sun hours are next on the list because humid climates often have fewer sun hours. Luckily, the decision is easier because required sunlight hours correlate with water resistance in most fig varieties.
Last but not least, how absorbent the skin and the eye are. To know how fast the skin absorbs water, you must observe several seasons because it doesn’t necessarily correlate to its thickness.
However, absorption through the eye largely depends on the fig’s shape and stem length. The most important thing is where the eye is pointing.
If the shape is not ideal and the stem is short, the eye will often point horizontally or even upwards, which will lead to increased water absorption and retainment. On the other hand, if the stem is long and the shape slightly elongated in the upper part of the fig, the eye will likely point to the ground, and the water will drip out easily.
As a side factor, you might consider some of your local conditions. For example, how cold the weather is.
To best evaluate how each fig variety grows in your area, you should give it time to mature. Make sure that your fig trees are healthy and take into account ripening dates. Your local microclimate may have heavy rains each year around a certain date, and you can choose a fig variety that ripens before or after that time.
My Top 5 Figs for Humid Weather
I compiled this list based on objective experience about humidity resistance and my subjective opinion of the taste. Everyone may not equally evaluate these list rankings.
Verdino del Nord
Only Elba can match it when it comes to drying power, but it has a greater taste profile. The best berry-flavored fig, in my opinion. Those who believe this fig isn’t as good as the best-tasting figs in California haven’t tasted it for a lengthy period of time.
Because of its skin and its skin color, it also appears immune to insect and animal attacks. It’s quite resistant to splitting due to its skin structure and drying capabilities.
It has a rather short time from swelling to fully ripe, and it’s productive in fewer light hours than most.
The variety’s peculiar propensity of sending out more than one node where there should only be one is what astonishes me the most. Because of this, you get the most leaves and figs per branch length than any other variety I’ve produced.
All these reasons put together, make it my first choice for humid climates. Although, it has a minus of being a dwarf tree.
Black Celeste
At the very least, this is my third-best fig. I’ve always been a fan of all Celeste types, especially their taste. However, Black Celeste is a step above others.
Nerucciolo d’Elba and Verdino del Nord are excellent at drying and resisting moisture, but Black Celeste’s skin allows it to absorb very little water in the first place.
This variety (and other Celeste variants) has amazed me. I’ve discovered that the figs of this type are exceptionally resistant to dampness. The stem length and fig’s shape are really good to assist with water drainage.
The time from swelling to fully ripe is desirable for humid weather; however, not that important since Black Celeste is so resistant.
To conclude everything about it, I have never seen it split, no matter how much it rains.
Nerucciolo d’Elba
The drying capacity of Nerucciolo d’Elba is slightly better than Verdino del Nord. The drying process begins in just six days, which is unprecedented. Excellent if you want them ripe before the rain starts because they will be partially vulnerable only during those six days.
In addition, the figs are quite stunning. With a deep, berry-forward taste, the inside is virtually black.
Overall similar to Verdino del Nord, slightly better to dry and smaller hang time, but slightly weaker taste which puts it at number three for me.
Campaniere
Not humid resistant as some, but good enough. Tends to have small splits in really heavy rains, although nearly as bad as some. Even when Campaniere splits, it doesn’t affect it when immediately picked. Its taste stays unaffected.
There are more humid resistant fig varieties, even by the end of this list, however, Campaniere was always one of the tastiest figs in my opinion, and that’s why it’s in this top 5.
Like I previously said, sometimes it’s better to have a better tasting fig than the most resistant one. I always try to balance reliability in a humid climate, in this case, and taste.
Moro de Caneva
The flavor is fantastic, but it doesn’t quite measure up to the other four on my list. Therefore it’s now ranked at number five until my trees develop enough to wow me even more.
Resistance-wise, I would say it’s close to the top 3 on this list, surely better than Campaniere.
Because Moro de Caneva rarely rots or splits, I’m actually concerned if that’s just luck because it doesn’t seem like it should be like that.
According to what I’ve observed, it doesn’t appear to be able to dry out. However, the fruit shrivels, transforming into candy, exploding with taste, and is impossible to beat.
Other Fig Varieties for Humid Weather
I couldn’t decide the rankings for many of these, and I didn’t feel like they belonged in the top 5, so I decided to mention them arbitrarily.
Improved Celeste
Improved Celeste is excellent in any poor fig growing conditions, including high humidity.
It’s quite split-resistant and tasteful. It used to consider it among the five best varieties. However, I cultivated many others in the meantime, and now it has fallen a bit lower.
All in all, Improved Celeste is an amazing choice in a humid or cold climate.
Smith
Smith is a mid-season amazing tasting fig. One of the best-tasting figs, for sure a top 10 for me. I would say overrated in everything but its taste. Smith fig is deemed humid resistant by many people, but it has certain issues.
The level of productivity is mediocre. This variety’s shortcoming is that it appears to be more susceptible to cold than the majority of the others on this list. It’s a great option for warmer humid conditions, but I couldn’t put it in my top five because of its several flaws. Water rapidly degrades the taste of this above average split resistant fig variety.
Hardy Chicago Types
I’ve never been a fan of most Hardy Chicago fig varieties purely because I find their taste largely overrated. They are, however, among the most resistant ones. Primarily to cold, although they seem to be highly resistant to humidity as well.
However, Conde, Azores Dark, and Malta Black fit my taste and moisture resistance balance excellently.
Hardy Chicago types were higher on my list in the past, but they are sort of overused and boring now compared to many other less famous amazing varieties.
Salato
The figs have a rich flavor in terms of texture and flavor, but their stem shape is less slender than ideal.
Split resistance is good, and the skin absorbs water at a rate that appears to be about average. They also dry well, and the tree’s low requirement for sunlight to set fruit buds means that it produces a lot of figs.
Light needs may be low because of the large natural angle of the branches. In other words, the large natural angle of the branches helps sunlight penetrate the treetop much better and reduces the required light hours.
Pissalutto
You can find it everywhere around the world because it’s a well-known Italian variety. I can tell you that the flavor is comparable to Smith’s and even surpasses it. It’s an up and comer and one of my favorite figs lately.
After a heavy rain lately, I’ve noted some little splitting in the form and length of the stems. I don’t believe that the skin impacts water absorption favorably or negatively.
There are no known drying capabilities, and the light needs are minimal, which means that output is quite high.
Humidity resistance seems above average for now. I would say even excellent. However, it requires additional observation. It might end up in my top 5 someday.
Rossellino
Rossellino fig is an amazing grapelike in taste variety. Like many others, I’ve believed it to be one of Hardy Chicago types, but it’s quite different. Now, I don’t consider it as such.
It’s an excellent dryer, and it doesn’t absorb much water, to begin with. I didn’t observe many splits yet, but it doesn’t seem to be among the most split-resistant ones.