Known as the Sugar Fig for good reason, 'Celeste' produces abundant crops of small, violet-brown fruit with a honey-sweet flavor that outperforms many larger-fruited cultivars. It is one of the most frequently grown figs in the American South, where it tolerates heat and humidity without complaint and sets fruit without any pollination. Self-contained and self-sufficient, it reaches 7 to 10 feet with a branching, multi-stemmed habit that can be kept tidy with light winter pruning.

Despite its southern reputation, 'Celeste' needs winter protection in colder parts of its range (zones 6 to 8), as cold injury is common in exposed sites. It shows good resistance to pests and disease, which simplifies growing considerably. The plant is salt-tolerant, making it a practical choice for coastal gardens. Songbirds discover the ripe fruit quickly, so harvest promptly. Plant it where the summer shade of its canopy might be enjoyed as much as the figs themselves.