Breba Producing Fig Trees for Sale
Fig trees can produce two distinct crops of figs: the breba crop and the main crop. Choose one of these, and you can ripen tasty figs 30-45 days earlier than normal.
Breba Fig Trees: Two Crops in One Season
The breba crop ripens on the previous year's growth, and the main crop forms on the new growth of the season. Not every variety produces brebas. Choose one that does, and you get an extra, earlier harvest before the main crop even starts.
Why Brebas Matter
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They ripen 30–45 days before the main crop. Near Philadelphia, I pick brebas from about July 1.
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A breba crop needs about 120 frost-free days, compared with roughly 150 for the main crop. That's why brebas are so valuable in mild or short-season climates.
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Brebas never need pollination, even on varieties like Desert King whose main crop does.
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They're often larger, and they ripen over a short window of 5–15 days.
Protect Last Year's Wood
Because brebas form on last year's branches, anything that removes that wood removes the crop. Heavy winter dieback or cutting those branches back takes your brebas with them. In cold zones, protect your trees over winter. Brebas are usually a little lower in quality than the main crop, but some rival it. Violette de Bordeaux's brebas rival its main crop, and LSU Hollier may have the best-tasting brebas I've eaten.
Where I'd Start
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Desert King: the standard for breba production, with a heavy crop that doesn't need pollination.
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Violette de Bordeaux: plentiful brebas that rival the main crop. I counted about 25 on one potted tree.
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Green Michurinska: a heavy, reliable breba producer, even after the extreme 2024–25 winter.
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Longue d'Aout: massive brebas of 100 to 200 grams each.
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Dalmatie: brebas that can be 200 grams or more, and I can't think of a fig this large that tastes nearly as good.
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Moro de Caneva: consistent, high-quality figs, brebas included.
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Verdolino: reliable brebas, and among the best you can grow in humid, cold and short-season climates.
My guide to breba figs lists the varieties that produce them. You can also read my full reviews of Desert King, Violette de Bordeaux and Green Michurinska, or shop more early ripening fig trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a breba fig?
A breba is the first crop of figs. It forms on the previous year's growth and ripens before the main crop, which forms on the new growth of the season. Not every fig variety produces a breba crop.
When do breba figs ripen?
About 30–45 days before the main crop. Near Philadelphia, where the last frost is around May 1, brebas start ripening around July 1.
Do breba figs need pollination?
No. Brebas never require pollination. Even Desert King, whose main crop needs pollination, produces a heavy breba crop without it.
Why didn't my fig tree produce brebas?
Either the variety doesn't produce a breba crop, or the wood they form on was lost. Brebas grow on last year's branches, so heavy winter dieback or cutting those branches back removes the crop.
How many frost-free days do brebas need?
About 120 frost-free days, compared with roughly 150 for the main crop. That's why breba producers are so valuable in short or mild seasons.
Are breba figs as good as the main crop?
Usually they're a little lower in quality, sugar and taste, but some rival the main crop. Violette de Bordeaux's brebas rival its main crop, and LSU Hollier may have the best-tasting brebas I've eaten.
Every variety on this page (Breba Producing Fig Trees): Barbillone · Black Mission · Blava (Flor) · Brianzolo Rosso · Columbaro Nero · Dalmatie / Stella · Dauphine · De Tres Esplets · Desert King · English Brown Turkey / Olympian · Eve’s Black Cherry · Filacciano Bianco / Norman’s Yellow · Fiorone di Ruvo · Florea / Michurinska 10 · Green Michurinska · Grise de St. Jean · Hative d’Argenteuil · Iride · Italian 258 · Joualle Noire / Molla Vermella · Kadota / Dottato / Peter’s Honey · Lampeira Preta · Longue d’Aout · LSU Hollier · Moro de Caneva / Figo Moro da Caneva · Nerucciolo d’Elba · Paradiso (Siro) · Pel de Bou · Pied de Boeuf · Rosa Esmeralda · Salam Piacentino · San Pietro Bianca di Carmignano · Sefrawi · Sorrento · Sucrette / Cul Noir · Sultane · Tauro · Teramo · Torbole / Verte e Arte / Fico Lungo di Portogallo · Tre Volte Nero · UCD Caprifig · UCD Mini · Vagabond · Val Camonica Long Green / Verdino Valsessia · Verdino del Nord (Tatiana) · Verdolino · Violette de Bordeaux · White Adriatic / Verdino · White Marseilles · White Triana