Product Description
Ficus pumila
Common name: creeping fig, climbing fig
Zone: 7 to 11.
Sun to partial shade.
Mature size: Vigorous-growing, clinging climber.
Juvenile leaves are small heart shaped, 1 inch long by about 3/4 inch wide, and creates a mat of foliage about 1 inch high. After the vine has reach the apex of its support, 3 inch long by 2-inch wide, leathery, dark green adult foliage emerges on horizontal branches.
Ficus pumila, commonly known as creeping fig or climbing fig, is a versatile and vigorous evergreen vine native to East Asia. It is admired for its ability to quickly cover surfaces with its dense foliage, making it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor gardening.
Key Features:
- Small Leaves: The leaves are small, heart-shaped, and typically a vibrant green color. They have a slightly rough texture, which helps them cling to surfaces.
- Climbing Habit: This fig is a climbing vine that uses aerial rootlets to attach itself to walls, fences, trellises, and even trees. It can create a lush, green covering on vertical surfaces.
- Trailing Growth: It can also be grown as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or containers, where its foliage spills over the edges, creating a beautiful cascading effect.
- Adaptable: It tolerates a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to shade, although it prefers bright, indirect light.
- Hardy: It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11, so it can be grown outdoors in warmer climates. In colder regions, it is often grown as a houseplant.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
Uses in the Landscape:
- Covering Walls and Fences: Creeping fig is an excellent choice for covering unsightly walls or fences, giving them a lush, green makeover.
- Groundcover: It can be used as a groundcover in shady areas where grass may struggle to grow.
- Topiary: Its dense growth habit makes it suitable for creating topiaries or shaping into various forms.
- Containers and Hanging Baskets: It thrives in containers and hanging baskets, adding a touch of greenery to patios, balconies, and indoor spaces.
Cautions:
- Invasive Potential: In some areas, creeping fig can become invasive, spreading aggressively and potentially damaging structures. It is essential to monitor its growth and prune it regularly.
- Sap: The sap of creeping fig can cause skin irritation in some people, so it is best to wear gloves when handling it.
- Toxicity: While generally not considered highly toxic, the leaves and sap can cause mild irritation if ingested by pets or humans.
Popular Cultivars:
- 'Variegata': This cultivar has attractive variegated leaves with creamy white margins.
- 'Curly': Features crinkled or curled leaves, adding a unique texture to the foliage.
- 'Quercifolia': Has smaller, oak-shaped leaves.
If you are looking for a fast-growing, versatile vine to add greenery and texture to your garden or home, Ficus pumila is an excellent choice. Just be sure to keep its vigorous growth in check and take precautions to avoid skin irritation.
Ten (10) plants in 4.5-inch containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
