The Black Jack Fig, otherwise known as the Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ or Fig ‘Celeste’, Celeste Fig, Sugar fig, Ficus carica ‘Blue Celeste’, Ficus carica ‘Celestial’, is a rather well known shrub plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
Best known for its average maintenance and moderate growth, this shrub will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its green colored leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
This is why all the topics you need to know in order to achieve this will be covered in this Black Jack Fig Care Guide. Ready? Let’s go!
The fundamental caring guidelines for every Black Jack Fig can be summed up into the following:
- Water: The Black Jack Fig prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
- Light: Keep your Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ in an environment where it can receive full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Black Jack Fig in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of sand, chalk, and loam.
That’s it – sunlight, water and soil! The basic 3 fundamentals for all plant care, and with the Black Jack Fig this is no exception. With these three elements, your leafy friend will live healthy and happy.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
In botanical terms, the Black Jack Fig belongs to the Moraceae family, the genus Ficus and the species Carica, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ (FYE-kus KAH-ri-ka).
As with other Ficus’s, the Black Jack Fig is a deciduous plant, which means it will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
Growing Region
The Black Jack Fig is a plant native to the Mediterranean to Central Asia.
You might be wondering why your Black Jack Fig’s native region is important. Well, if you know where your plant originally came from, you’ll know which environment conditions it prefers, and with it, knowledge on how to replicate it at home.
With this in mind, the Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ will be most used to regions where the plant hardiness level falls between 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a and the ideal climate zone is between 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Black Jack Fig is a relatively moderate grower, which makes things somewhat easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But what exactly does this mean for your Black Jack Fig? How large a pot should you consider, how tall, how wide can it get? Let’s jump in…
The Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ can grow up to 7′ – 10′ (210cm – 3m) in 7′ – 10′ (210cm – 3m) and 7′ – 10′ (210cm – 3m) in 7′ – 10′ (210cm – 3m).
Also, expect it to grow in a wonderful spreading shape, which is something worthwhile to remember when making your garden landscape plans.
Water
In terms of watering, the Black Jack Fig is a fairly simple plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Black Jack Fig in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
When you consider this, this is why you should aim to choose soil that has good drainage, and moist properties to keep the right moisture levels at all times.
However, in our experience, the best solution to knowing the right amount of water for your Black Jack Fig is with the ‘thumb’ technique. Basically, you insert your finger into the soil, and based if you feel the soil moist or dry, you determine if it needs any water, which is the most appropriate way to go about watering your leafy friend.
Soil Mix
As mentioned earlier, the Black Jack Fig prefers to have soil with good drainage, and moist properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of sand, chalk, and loam.
This is why most experts agree that the Black Jack Fig requires soil with high organic matter, which will give you the right conditions it needs.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably neutral to alkaline soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Black Jack Fig requires full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this shrub will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Season
Being a deciduous plant, the Black Jack Fig will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (mid, late), the summer (early, mid, late), the fall, and during the winter.
Flowers
You can expect your Black Jack Fig to flower around the spring months from April to June (spring).
The Black Jack Fig produces some wonderful green flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Black Jack Fig have a beautiful green color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a alternate organization in its leaves.
You can expect the leaves from your Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ to be around (> 6 inches) in size.
The Black Jack Fig is well known for being able to attract birds, so keep that in mind when choosing your plant, as you’ll likely end up finding one or another in your garden.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Black Jack Fig will look best in it.
Most Ficus Carica ‘Black Jack’ owners agree that this shrub will look great in most mediterranean and rustic gardens of all types.
Other owners consider that they complement well most gardens of informal and cottage, city and courtyard, and in mediterranean garden styles.
In particular, the Black Jack Fig’s best location within your garden is in wall-side borders, others use it for landscaping in a espalier, coastal exposure, specimen, container, kitchen garden, or a urban garden.
Companion Plants
Black Jack Fig’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Rosmarinus, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Lavandula will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
And we’ve come to an end. Fortunately, that’s everything you need to know about your Black Jack Fig to keep it safe and sound in your garden or home. Enjoy planting!
