These can be potted directly back into the substrate for a super easy propagation process. Another excellent use for creeping fig is in topiaries. The ficus species contains over 1,000 different types of plants. It also helps to fill in any cracks in a wall before growing a creeping fig there. Feeding. Water and Humidity. Young leaves are heart-shaped and about 1 inch long, while mature foliage is oblong and up to 4 inches long. If you have a ficus plant, it may either be an inside or outside plant. There are cultivars available, including 'Minima', with slender, small leaves; ’Quercifolia’, with leaves resembling those of a miniature oak; and 'Variegata', the leaves of which have creamy white markings. If you want to see all the other plants we have propagation guides on check out our propagation page . "At first, I groomed three times a year; now it takes six," she adds. I am not having much luck due to the plants drying out too quickly. It’s also one of the smallest members of the ficus family. Small, light green leaves are very atrractive on this fast growing vivarium plant. The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper articles. During its first growing season, water the plant frequently, and reduce that frequency once it has matured. For the best results, allow the top two cm of the soil to dry before watering the plant. It also thrives in full shade were few plants grow. The older the vine, the faster it grows. This vine needs well-drained soil and moderate moisture until it becomes well established. Attach stainless steel wire through each eye hook and pull tightly. The more intense the light, the faster and more compact Ficus pumila 'Creeping Fig' will grow. This tiny leafed plant, native to Japan, Vietnam, and China, is an excellent table plant, hanging plant, or climbing plant. Most ficus plants have rubbery limbs and do not require much attention to thrive. How to Grow a Creeping Fig Wall. It can potentially damage structures when the roots get into cracks in walls. Cut the vines of the climbing fig at the base just above ground. For proper indoor creeping fig care, the soil should be kept moist but not overly wet. Potting soil. The easiest way to propagate the creeping fig is to take stem cuttings when you’re trimming the plant back. Creeping fig can be planted in sun or shade, and it has a good tolerance to salt spray. Allow the vines to dry for one week. For indoor care, keep your creeping fig's soil moist but not overly wet. Plus, the vine’s adhesive pads make it hard to remove, so consider planting it on privacy walls, but avoid the walls of your home. But creeping fig should not dry out too much and its root ball should remain moist. This means you may need to water creeping fig more than other landscape plants or houseplants, especially during hot weather. The fig family (Ficus spp.) that is how i brought my creeping fig back. Itâs important to choose a soil-based potting mix that also provides good drainage. You can use a masonry bit and drill to make holes in the concrete and place an eye hook at either end of the area. Inside, a location in front of a north-facing window provides acceptable light levels. Caring for Your Creeping Fig Plant Watering. The soil surface should not develop cracks or pull away from the sides of containers. As a clinging vine, creeping fig has aerial rootlets that attach readily to walls, trellises and arbors. Creeping fig will grow under most light conditions, from bright sun to deep shade, although it grows much faster in a sunny spot. Instead of conventional soilless potting mixes, creeping fig responds best to soil-based mixes, notes Missouri Botanical Garden. In its native habitat in tropical jungles, creeping fig grows on forest floors where, underneath tree canopies, it is adapted to lower light conditions. You will need to be vigilant with your pruning to keep this vine in check. It grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, where its vines may reach 15 feet or longer. this will make sort of like a mini greenhouse. You’ll first need to choose a wall for your creeping fig to climb on. However, it can also be grown as a container plant that is moved indoors for the winter or grown as a houseplant. If you want to keep your creeping fig looking its best – not to mention acting in the way you want it to – you need to trim prune the wayward branches and their dark, mature leaves. Once the plants have rooted well this plant will need very little water. I have been attempting to grow creeping fig on the back wall (foam/silicone/coco fiber) of my viv. The key to healthy growth is to provide as much warm, humid air as possible, plenty of even moisture, and bright light but not direct sunlight. Unlike much of its family, which grows as upright trees and shrubs, this little plant is a groundcover or vine, depending on how you grow it. It can also be used as a groundcover. includes more than 1,000 species, with some varieties grown as ornamentals instead of bearing edible fruits. The soil should not feel dry at the surface, but nor should it be sitting in water, which can cause root rot. Initially, in the first year, creeping fig will grow slowly, if at all. Although creeping fig can only be pollinated by the fig wasp, (Blastophaga pamila), it is easily propagated by cuttings as the vine will root wherever it touches soil. You can also water less often in winter. left in the bag the live ones will sprout roots at the leaf node areas. If you receive less than 2 inches of rainfall on a given week, you should water your plant. Creeping fig is very hardy and drought tolerant once established. Dig a hole at least 1 ft (0.30 m) away from the brick wall. Because creeping fig is sensitive to dry air, increasing humidity up to 40 percent also helps keep plants from drying out. The creeping fig is an evergreen climbing species which you might have seen crawling up the walls of large mansions or a quaint house in the country. Since the fast growing vines of a Creeping Fig easily cling to just about anything, it’s also a great plant for topiaries. Too much water can cause root rot over a period of time. Prune to control rampant growth and to remove horizontal branches which stand out from the support and produce unattractive adult foliage. If there’s a freeze, the leaves will turn brown and fall off but usually come back in spring. It grows in part shade with softer morning sun, as afternoon sun is too harsh and will burn or dry leaves. Creeping fig is a delightful little houseplant. But creeping fig should not dry out too much and its root ball should remain moist. To prevent this, clip the edge of the groundcover regularly. Full sun to partial shade is required for healthy leaf coloring, as well as a soil pH between 6.1 and 7.8. This vine needs well-drained soil and moderate moisture until it becomes well established. You can substitute vermiculite or perlite for sand for a lightweight mix. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Other folks may prefer theirs more natural and loose. Select a stem of a mature creeping fig plant that appears healthy and blemish-free. Each year we propagate around 1500 hundred to sell in our wholesale nursery. Pinch the fig plants back if you want to encourage fuller growth. As a houseplant, creeping fig is suited for hanging baskets and topiaries. trim some of the dead stuff and put a bag over the whole pot. The creeping fig belongs to the same family as edible figs, giant banyan trees and rubber plants. If it dries, it will start dropping leaves. Creeping fig prefers planting in the rich, well-drained soils of USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. To keep the creeping fig looking good, Elsie says, "shear it like a sheep." Cornell University cautions that areas with higher light and temperature cause creeping fig to dry out. If you want to make your own soil-based potting mix, the University of Floridaâs recipe is to blend equal parts of compost, topsoil and sand. One ornamental species does not take the more common upright form of most figs. Most fig species perform best when the soil dries between waterings. Mild soap. But creeping fig on a wall can be manageable if you trim it back and grow it in a container to manage its size. You will need to be vigilant with your pruning to keep this vine in check. Get some... Light. Creeping fig (ficus pumila) or climbing fig is an easy plant to propagate. Hi Margueritte-The Creeping fig (Ficus Pumila) only needs to be kept moist not wet. After studying botany and microbiology at Clemson University, Blackstone was hired as a University of Georgia Master Gardener Coordinator. Pear-shaped fruits may grow on creeping fig outdoors, but rarely on plants grown indoors. The humidity in the viv is high- but the majority of the cuttings I attached to the back wall are pretty close to the lights. The plant is a close cousin to fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyarata), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and even the edible fig (Ficus carica). It can damage wooden structures. It can cling to almost any surface, even plaster abundantly coated with multiple layers of paint (my situation). The small (1”-2”), thin, delicate, heart- … Creeping Fig. Like its larger relatives, it prefers warmer climates and grows best outdoors in USDA Zones 8 through 11. Soil-based blends are heavier and retain more water than peat-based mixes. Basically, creeping fig vine doesn’t tolerate extreme lighting, including full sun or complete shade. This plant can tolerate more extremes when it adjusts to the temperature. If you want your creeping fig to grow faster, it’s a good idea to use fertilizers for it. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is a fast-growing vine that can be used to soften the look of concrete garden walls. Although creeping fig has a higher water requirement than other species, its roots must not sit in waterlogged soil. If you use this plant as a groundcover near a wall or building, it will grow onto the wall very quickly. In general, creeping figs need steady moisture. A: I have seen walls covered with the creeping fig (Ficus pumila), and it does give a lovely ivy-covered wall affect. And it's highly unlikely your indoor plant will ever bloom or yield fruit. Keep It Alive Not only does creeping fig not require rich soil, it also is less aggressive and easier to contain when it … Creeping fig is sensitive to cold temperatures and wonât grow well in front of drafty doors or icy windows during winter. Since it holds tight and grows quickly, it can easily cover just about any topiary form. In these locations, youâll need to water the plants more frequently and increase humidity levels around them by placing their pots on pebble-filled trays filled with water. However, if your region drops below freezing, the plant should be brought indoors. The fig’s root ball should remain moist between watering sessions. As we already mentioned, the Creeping Fig is happiest in moist soil with good draining properties. I have a back wall thatâ s about 5 ft concrete and 2 feet pressure treated wood added to the top. Choose a stem … If you inherit some out of control creeping fig you may need to use pruners or even loppers to get rid of the large stems so that the new growth is nice and tight to your wall or structure. A wilted ficus may just need help to be revived. In a vivarium, Ficus pumila 'Creeping Fig' makes a great filler/background plant. To keep creeping figs in top condition, make sure the plant receives approximately 2 inches of water weekly. The new growth is what you want for a tidy look: it is tight to the wall or fence while the older growth gives a more “shaggy” look and sticks out quite a bit. If your plant is covering a tall wall, don’t ignore the overhanging vines because they’re out of … The plant’s wandering stems and small leaves create an interesting lacy pattern as the vine grows across the wall. 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