Little Ruby Fig | Comprehensive Variety Review

Many people may not realize that thousands of fig varieties exist. Over the years, I have grown and trialed hundreds of these myself, investing significant time, effort, and money to better understand them—all for the benefit of fig enthusiasts like you.

I’ve created a series of blog posts featuring what I consider 'standard' fig varieties. While there are thousands of varieties in existence, classics like Smith are inexpensive, easy to find, and varieties you ought to know like the back of your hand. You can find my deep dives on other essential varieties in the directory here:

Growing Characteristics

• Origin: Denny McGaughy

• Categorization: Bifere

• Similar varieties: Hardy Chicago

• Taste grouping: Figgy / Fruity Berry

• Texture: Jammy

• Size: Small

• Ripening period: Very early

• Vigor: Dwarf

• Eye: Open

• Spoilage resistance: Very Low

• Rain resistance: Low

• Split Resistance: High

• Shape: Spherical

• Hang time: Very short

• Climate preference: Well adapted, but preferably somewhere dry

• Hardiness: High

• Taste rating: 4.5/5

• Light requirements: Below average

• Productivity: High

History & Origin

Little Ruby is a seedling of Hardy Chicago, bred by Biologist Denny McGaughy. He is also the person behind the Olympian fig.

If you're unfamiliar with Hardy Chicago, it's important information for understanding Little Ruby. After all, it's one of its parents.

Hardy Chicago, often referred to as the "Mt. Etna" type, is the gold standard for cold-hardy figs, renowned for its ability to withstand temperatures near 0°F and its resilient nature. While its true origin is shrouded in mystery—with theories pointing to Mt. Etna in Italy—it has become a ubiquitous staple across North America, brought over by generations of diverse immigrant cultures.

This variety is highly prized for being a reliable, early-ripening producer that performs well even in short-season or humid climates. Its pyriform (pear) shape offers natural rain resistance, though its fruit quality reaches its peak when allowed to shrivel slightly on the tree, intensifying its sweet, berry-toned flavor profile, which can range from strawberry to earthy concord grape.

Because this variety has been propagated for over a century, it has acquired more than 100 synonyms, such as Malta Black, Azores Dark, and Bensonhurst Purple. While these figs are genetically nearly identical, they often exhibit distinct epigenetic differences—variations in growth habit and flavor intensity shaped by the environments where they were grown.

This makes the specific "source" of your tree incredibly important; for instance, some sources offer a richer cherry-like acidity while others are more traditionally jammy. To get the truest representation of this variety, growers must exercise patience, as Hardy Chicago is known to take several years to fully mature and stabilize its fruit quality.

Dwarf Growth Habit:

Little Ruby is most famous for its dwarf-like growth habit. In my opinion, it's one of the very few dwarf fig varieties requiring little to no pruning to remain small.

Its low vigor is statistically evident; if we define vigor by the diameter of the wood, Little Ruby ranks in the bottom five of all varieties I have ever grown. After seven years of being planted in the ground with almost no pruning, my tree is no taller than five feet. This makes it an ideal, low-maintenance choice for the average homeowner seeking a "set it and forget it" landscape plant.

This dwarfism, combined with its impressive hardiness, makes Little Ruby a prime candidate for a dwarfing rootstock in Zone 8 or warm Zone 7 climates.

Having said that, I would not recommend growing a fig variety for this reason. All fig varieties, dwarf or not, can be maintained at 6x6 feet tall and wide with proper pruning.

Other Varietal Traits:

I found Little Ruby difficult to establish, particularly in containers. You'll often hear that dwarf fig varieties are more suited for pots. I disagree. The average grower may struggle with Little Ruby's slow growth and root development, making root rot, stagnant growth, or death more likely.

Additionally, once Little Ruby is established in the ground for a few years, it undergoes a remarkable transformation: the fruit size doubles, and it may produce a plentiful breba crop in favorable years alongside an incredibly early main crop.

In fact, it is among the earliest ripening figs in existence, maturing only 65 days after fruit set. Few varieties produce as many figs as Little Ruby that early in August here in Philadelphia. It can help fill an important gap in the harvest window.

While I didn't initially favor the fruit quality, a mature tree allowed to shrivel provides a solid 4.5/5 tasting experience. It possesses a unique, intense dried-fruit flavor that is more concentrated than almost any other variety I’ve trialed.

Despite these positives, Little Ruby has significant physical weaknesses:

• Open Eye: The eye is exceptionally open, exposing the interior to the elements.

• Upward Orientation: During the swelling stage, the eye often points toward the sky, allowing rain to enter directly and cause spoilage or mold.

• Absorbent Skin: The skin acts like a sponge rather than a waterproof jacket, absorbing moisture, which can lower the Brix (sugar content) and ruin the fruit quality.

Surprisingly, Little Ruby remains a top performer in humid climates due to its short hang time. Its window of susceptibility is so small that the fruit can ripen fully between rain events. This "speed-ripening" allows it to produce high-quality figs during weather windows that would ruin the crop of almost any other variety.