When grown outdoors, pear-shaped to cylindrical fig, mostly solitary, may appear throughout the year. Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Unless growing outside, creeping figs don’t get flowers. Creeping Fig. The creeping fig does like to be pot bound to a certain degree. It does produce a milky sap that can cause skin irritation if you have sensitive skin. You will want to fertilize your creeping fig in the spring and summer about once … Use a fertilizer formulated for use on indoor plants. If the air is too dry, its leaves can go brown and crispy around the edges. Creeping Fig. 21800 SW 162ND Ave. Miami, Florida 33170 |  (800) 327-7074 And it's highly unlikely your indoor plant will ever bloom or yield fruit. When grown outdoors, the plant prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun in a moist, well-drained soil. This evergreen plant averages 40 feet at maturity, but three and four story heights are not unheard of. It has slender branches that arch gracefully from a light gray trunk. Ficus pumila, commonly known as the creeping fig or climbing fig, is a species of flowering plant in the mulberry family, native to East Asia (China, Japan, Vietnam) and naturalized in parts of the southeastern and south-central United States. Flowers and fruits rarely appear on indoor plants. 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. If you want to keep your Ficus pu… It needs no support to adhere to a wall. Note: You may also see this plant sold as Ficus repens. Creeping fig is a fast-growing indoor plant that has medium-green leaves. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.This woody vine will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. The plant is a close cousin to fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyarata), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and even the edible fig (Ficus carica). The plant can cement itself to porous surfaces and will cover moist surfaces quickly. As It’s also an excellent choice for terrariums, where it thrives in moist, humid conditions. Costa Farms is a wholesale grower that discovers, develops, and grows plants for your home and life -- indoors and out. Happy Holidays! Ficus Pumila Only grow this on a wall where it doesnt need controlling, otherwise it will be a chore.Ttypically climbs 15 to 20 feet high, the aggressive creeping fig (Ficus pumila) has a powerful adhesive on aerial rootlets growing from its vines that enable it … Best known for its low to average maintenance and fast growth, this climber will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its green-colored leaves. It is drought tolerant, a good climber, resistant to damage by deer and moderately salt tolerant. Ficus vaccinioides is a rare relative of creeping fig that has darker green, textural leaves. 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. It’s also one of the smallest members of the ficus family. We’re your online gardening resource for plant info and inspiration. Phonetic Spelling FY-kus PEW-mih-lah Description. Often called a climbing fig vine, they're low maintenance, easy to propagate and deer and rabbit resistant but poisonous to indoor pets. Ficus pumila, or Climbing fig, is a vigorous, fast-growing evergreen vine that can climb to 15 feet or more when grown outdoors.It is not winter hardy in most of North Carolina and severe cold will kill the vine back to the ground, thus it is often grown as an annual groundcover or as a houseplant or in a greenhouse. 1). Plant creeping fig against a wall where you can’t spare the square footage for a shrub or a hedge. Just drop us an email and one of our indoor plant experts will get back to you! Sunny creeping fig is a fast-growing selection that has leaves variegated with bright white edges. You can use a water-soluble fertilizer in spring and summer (don’t exceed recommendation instructions on the product packaging) or by using a time-release granular fertilizer once a year in spring. Stems have a milky sap. I’ve experimenting with creeping fig (Ficus pumila) as an indoor wall cover for about 35 years. When it gets too dry, creeping fig will drop its leaves prematurely. © 2020 Costa Farms, LLC. So are we! They are elegant and grow dense, glossy dark foliage, although, when stressed, it will shed its leaves easily. Prune as needed. It is best to check the top of the soil before watering. The ficus species contains over 1,000 different types of plants. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or problems. I could estimate the age because the trees main trunk sadly was cut during construction work (fortunately the fig started to cast out again). This type of product slowly releases nutrients to the plant every day for months. The creeping fig is a climbing evergreen plant that's a common ground and wall covering in warmer parts of the country and a houseplant in cooler areas. It takes well to growing on a moss form, allowing you to easily add a touch of whimsey to your indoor spaces. There are a number of creeping fig varieties available (see them below at the bottom of the page), including types with extra-textured or variegated foliage. Well-known for its fast growth rate, creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is an effective ground cover and vine for walls and fences. 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. includes more than 1,000 species, with some varieties grown as ornamentals instead of bearing edible fruits. When grown outdoors, the adult form displays minute, axillary, unisexual flowers enclosed in fleshy receptacle (fig), entered by apical orifice and pollinated by fig wasps. No matter which creeping fig variety you grow, it makes an excellent choice for indoor hanging baskets. The juvenile form is usually maintained in interior environments and characterized by small, heart-shaped, alternate leaves on the vine with adventious roots. It does best in high humidity. Variegated Creeping Fig is a multi-stemmed evergreen woody vine with a twining and trailing habit of growth. They are often used as either a ground cover or, more commonly, as a wall and fence cover. Tiny and tough, Ficus pumila is a dwarf member of the Ficus family. Creeping fig couldn't be any less fig-like. Creeping fig is a delightful little houseplant. Once these peds attach themselves, they are next to impossible to remove, even if you pull down the plants. Creeping Fig Vine in the Garden. Water creeping fig as the top inch or so of the potting mix dries to the touch. Weeping fig is one of the best plants for improving air qu… Climbing fig (Ficus pumila) is a woody, evergreen vine that can be used outdoors to cover a wall or fence, or as an indoor ornamental, where it is allowed to either cascade down from a hanging basket, or trained to cover a trellis, hoop or pole.Typically, only the juvenile foliage of climbing fig is present, which is small (1-inch long and ½- to ¾- inch wide), light green and slightly pleated. Creeping Fig: A Field Guide. Both natural and artificial light are fine. When grown indoors, place in a soil-based potting mix with bright indirect light or part shade and protection from afternoon sun. N.C. Fact Sheet FPS-212 October, 1999 Ficus pumila1 Edward F. Gilman2 Introduction The dense, rapid growth of small, dark green, overlapping leaves on slender stems makes Creeping Fig a favorite vine to grow on walls where it lends a lacy pattern in its early stages of growth (Fig. It is not winter hardy in most of North Carolina and severe cold will kill the vine back to the ground, thus it is often grown as an annual groundcover or as a houseplant or in a greenhouse. The best time to prune creeping fig is the spring and summer season. Sign up now to get our newsletter, too. Full to partial sun. The creeping fig is an excellent choice for any gardener that has an eyesore of a wall, fence, or structure that’s in need of concealing. Avoid growing creeping fig in drafty areas, too. Water regularly during the growing season and reduce watering from fall to late winter. Creepin g Fig. It does not like direct, full sun. Not usually grown for edible fruit, but properly prepared it is popular in Asian countries. Most ficus plants have rubbery limbs and do not require much attention to thrive. Once it reaches the uppermost boundary of its support, it will continue branching outward, eventually creating… Creeping Fig is a multi-stemmed evergreen woody vine with a twining and trailing habit of growth. Don't forget about your houseplants during the holiday season. However, it likes to spread it's roots just like it does outdoors and in it's natural habitat, so you are best to re-pot it every two years and cut back roots which are outside the main root section. However, it's worth noting that even very healthy and well-cared-for plants will likely only last a few years in their potsultimately their root structures are designed for aggressive and spreading growth. 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. An evergreen vine with juvenile small, leathery, dark green leaves that mature to larger dark, thick leaves. The oldest wild fig tree I myself found was an about 90 years old tree growing under extreme conditions in the european alps, with winter temperatures about -20° C (-4 °F) and no protection by snow. For proper indoor creeping fig care, the soil should be kept moist but not overly wet. Pruning the plant during the growing season prevents it from having a large bunch of dark leaves in winter and fall. Weeping ficus or fig is one of the most popular houseplants found in homes, offices, and interior landscaping. Creeping Fig Growth Rate. Create 3 rows of this wire horizontally across the area. Rarely flowers when grown indoors. In a tight space, creeping fig vines will cover a fence with a flat green curtain of heart-shaped leaves. If it’s exposed to airflow that’s considerably warmer or cooler than the ambient air, the leaves could go yellow or brown and drop off. The fig family (Ficus spp.) Ficus pumila, or Climbing fig, is a vigorous, fast-growing evergreen vine that can climb to 15 feet or more when grown outdoors. The growth rate of this beautiful plant is impressive, as it reaches up to a maximum length of 3-4 feet and can be utilized in hanging baskets. No matter which creeping fig variety you grow, the right care is important to keep it looking lush, happy, and healthy. Hailing from warm, tropical climates, creeping fig appreciates average to above-average relative humidity levels. Check to see if any need water or other care. On fruit bearing stems, adult leaves are more ovate-elliptic, slightly acute to obtuse, rotund to subcordate, very dark green above, pale below, reticulate, coriaceous, to 4 inches long. This self-clinging vine adheres effortlessly to most surfaces, quickly scrambling upwards as far as it can be supported. Note: This houseplant is not intended for human or animal consumption. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. The Creeping Fig, otherwise known as the Ficus Pumila or Climbing Fig, Creeping Rubber Plant, Ok-Gue, Ficus repens, is a well-known climber plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world. Creeping fig is a delightful little houseplant. Creeping Fig Is Drying Out. The small (1”-2”), thin, delicate, heart- … Attaching the Creeping Fig to a concrete wall requires giving the vines a few starter rows of wire. Since the fast growing vines of a Creeping Fig easily cling to just about anything, it’s also a great plant for topiaries. form a strategic partnership called N.C. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 or higher, creeping fig plants can be grown outside year round. As a houseplant, it doesn’t tolerate drying out as well as other figs (including fiddle leaf fig). The adult form has larger, more elliptic, more leathery and reticulte leaves. A beautiful selection with white-edged leaves, Bellus creeping fig also has a medium growth rate. The plant can become invasive. They are green with white flecks maturing to purple, densely hairy, and 2.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide. Creeping fig is somewhat tolerant of being rootbound, but it grows best when it’s repotted as the roots fill the pot. The plant is a close cousin to fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyarata), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and even the edible fig (Ficus carica). It grows best in a spot with medium to bright light -- enough light that it casts a shadow much of the day. Like its name implies, creeping fig daintily trails and climbs like the delicate debutant counterpart to brutish ivy. If you have a ficus plant, it … Cutting grown. Shearing of mature foliage will encourage new juvenile growth. If the top of the soil is dry, it needs to be watered. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. Other Names: Climbing Fig, Fig Ivy and Creeping Ficus Native to East Asia, Creeping Ficus is a delightful, indoor house plant with small, lush green leaves with a leathery feel. Passionate about plants? All Rights Reserved. All planted topiary will grown to perfection in our greenhouse range and shipped crated. Questions about Creeping Ficus? It’s also one of the smallest members of the ficus family. Watch for scale, aphids, mealybugs, thrips and spider mites. Curly creeping fig has a medium growth rate and wavy green leaves variegated with lighter, lime-green centers. It is also found in cultivation as a houseplant.The Latin specific epithet pumila means "dwarf", and refers to the very small leaves of the plant. Creeping Fig is an outstanding evergreen that is routinely used to cover stark, barren walls with curtains of dense, deep-green foliage. Fertilize for faster growth. It can also be used outdoors as groundcover or to cover walls. Vigorous-growing, clinging, dense branches will adhere to any surface. On climbing stems, juvenile leaves are alternate, simple, heart-shaped, acute, cordate, entire, medium to dark green, glabrous and bumpy above, pubescent below, to 1 inch long with a short petiole. If allowed to grow up a … A handsome choice for climbing walls, poles, arbors and fences. The juvenile form is slender, climbing by adventitious roots, and developing woody texture and more bushy habit in adult state. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) is a fast growing, small leafed vine that will stick and climb up stucco and concrete. It can also be used as a groundcover. Creeping fig plants grown outside and allowed to produce mature foliage will often yield fruit in the form of 3-inch pale green bells that ripen to a dark purple color. Juvenile and adult forms exist for this plant and the habit differences closely parallel those for Hedera helix. Most commonly used is Ficus Repens (creeping fig) or English Ivy (wide assortment of family available). NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to It is sometimes confused with Ficus microcarpa, which is actually less weepy and more upright. Creeping fig does well under a wide range of light conditions, even low and artificial light, but there’s one exception. The creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is an aggressive climber that produces delicate green leaves, commonly used in topiaries, hanging baskets and ground covers. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.This woody vine will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. You would never recognize it as being related to the Benjamin ficus (Ficus benjamina) or the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) that we use as tall upright houseplants. Why is your creeping fig vine not producing flowers? It conducts its coverage rather efficiently – if you’re tending to its needs, it will cover your average wall within two to three years. They are frequently listed as inedible but in fact the figs can be processed into a gel that is canned and sold in Asian markets as grass jelly or ai-yu jelly. Fast grower 25 to 30 feet long. Our articles, blogs, tips, and photos help you use plants to beautify your living spaces and enhance your life. You're going to love all the tips and ideas we share. Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers. Figure 1. Similar to Curly, this medium-growing creeping fig has wavy, textured leaves and creamy-yellow variegation in the centers of the leaves. We have many standard shop drawings and models that we follow but prefer … Pale, wilted leaves are a symptom of too much sunlight, so if your plant is suffering from this, move it to a shadier spot. The plant’s wandering stems and small leaves create an interesting lacy pattern as the vine grows across the wall. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is a fast-growing vine that can be used to soften the look of concrete garden walls. Get tips for repotting! Ivy and creeping fig are especially troublesome because they attach themselves with sticky little appendages called peds. This tiny leafed plant, native to Japan, Vietnam, and China, is an excellent table plant, hanging plant, or climbing plant. Attach stainless steel wire through each eye hook and pull tightly. Variegated forms are available. This includes drafts that may come in from exterior doors or windows, as well as the air from heating or cooling vents. It’s hardy, it gives nice coverage and texture to an otherwise frightfully boring wall and you can simply rip it off the wall if it gets to be too much. Creeping fig doesn’t mind the light source, as long as it gets enough. Creeping fig is also one of the best plants for topiary. You typically don’t need to worry about pruning creeping fig, but you can prune or pinch it back at any time of the year without worrying about harming your plant. A medium- to quick-growing indoor plant, it offers small, rich green green leaves. Form is usually maintained in interior environments and characterized by small, rich green green leaves variegated bright! Wandering stems and small leaves create an interesting lacy pattern as the top or. 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