LSU Purple vs LSU Gold vs Black Mission: Comparing Fig Varieties

Fig varieties can look nearly identical on a nursery tag, but their fruit, growth habits, and cold tolerance vary enough to matter for Florida growers. LSU Purple, LSU Gold, and Black Mission are three of the most popular figs sold in Florida, each bred or selected for slightly different strengths. Here's how they compare.

 

LSU Purple

 

Developed by Louisiana State University specifically for Gulf Coast conditions, LSU Purple produces medium-sized, deep purple-to-black figs with sweet, strawberry-red flesh. It's known for heavy, reliable production and good disease resistance in the humid Southeast, including tolerance to fig rust, a common problem in Florida's wet summers. The tree stays relatively compact, making it a good fit for smaller yards.

 

LSU Gold

 

Also an LSU introduction, LSU Gold produces large, yellow-green figs with amber to light-pink flesh and a honey-like sweetness. It's considered one of the more productive fig varieties for the Gulf South, often bearing heavily in its main summer crop. Like LSU Purple, it shows good resistance to fig rust and handles Florida's humidity well. The lighter skin color makes it a nice contrast if you're growing multiple varieties for visual interest as well as flavor.

 

Black Mission

 

Black Mission is an older, widely grown variety with a long track record, producing purplish-black figs with sweet, pink-red flesh and a rich, slightly berry-like flavor many consider the classic "fig" taste. It grows into a larger tree than either LSU variety if left unpruned, and while productive, it can be somewhat more susceptible to fig rust in Florida's humid climate compared to the LSU cultivars, which were bred with that pressure in mind.

 

Cold Hardiness

 

All three varieties handle Florida's winters well and go dormant in cooler months, which is normal and not a cause for concern. LSU Purple and LSU Gold, bred for Gulf Coast humidity and heat, perform particularly well in Central and South Florida. Black Mission is also cold-hardy and widely grown from North to South Florida, with established plants resprouting from the roots even after a hard freeze damages the top growth.

 

Which Should You Choose?

 

If you want a compact tree with reliable production and strong disease resistance, LSU Purple is an excellent choice. If you want a larger, sweeter fig with a lighter-colored skin and heavy yields, LSU Gold stands out. If you're drawn to the classic, richly flavored fig that's been a garden favorite for generations, Black Mission delivers that traditional taste, though it benefits from a bit more attention to humidity-related disease in Florida's climate. Many growers plant two or more varieties together, since their harvest windows can overlap or stagger nicely, extending your fig season. Whichever you pick, the planting and pruning basics are the same across all three: see our fig tree care guide. 

Just brought one home? See our guide to your new fig tree's first few weeks for hydration, potting, and planting timing.

 

Want a compact, container-friendly fig in the mix too? Fignomenal is compared alongside these three in our four-way fig variety comparison. Explore our full lineup of fig trees for sale to compare these varieties side by side and find the right fit for your garden.