Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Fertilizer, Soil, Problems
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Ficus pumila easily adapts to indoor growing conditions and will add a lush greenery to any indoor space. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for growing this plant indoors, including solutions to common problems.
Creeping Fig also called Climbing Fig is among low-growing Ficus varieties, and grows as a trailer or a climber, producing a dense green carpet making it one of the best indoor ground covers.
The stems in Climbing Fig will cling to any damp surface and can climb up to a height of 4 metres. Its aerial roots produce a translucent latex that hardens on drying, allowing the plant to adhere to their support.
Ficus pumila has a high humidity requirement, this coupled with its compact size make it perfect for a closed terrarium. The long trailing stems are ideal for a hanging basket, a pedestal, a tabletop or a shelf.
The plant bears numerous, tiny, oval-shaped leaves with opposite veins. The Latin name "pumila" comes from the word "pumilus" meaning dwarf which refers to the very small leaves.
Botanical name: Ficus pumila
Synonym: Ficus repens
Family: Moraceae
Common names: Creeping Fig, Climbing Fig
Origin
Ficus pumila also called Ficus repens is native to East Asia (China, Japan and Vietnam).
Varieties and Cultivars
Ficus pumila comes in many varieties like Ficus pumila 'Minima' which has smaller leaves and Ficus pumila 'Variegata' has heart-shaped, thumbnail-sized leaves with broad white margins on wiry stems among others.
The popular cultivars are:
Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang (Awkeotsang Creeping Fig)
Ficus pumila var. quercifolia (Oak Leaf Creeping Fig or Miniature Oakleaf Fig).
Ficus pumila 'Curly' (Curly Creeping Fig or Crinkled Leaf Form) has green leaves with a cream center and crinkled leaves.
Disadvantages of Creeping Figs
The main disadvantages of Creeping Fig are in its invasive growth habit. If not maintained and its growth contained it will cover structures and landscape features. As it climbs on buildings and wooden structures, the woody tendrils can cling or root in and damage structures and or their surfaces.
Is Creeping Fig poisonous?
As stated by Wikipedia, like other plants in the Moraceae family, the Ficus pumila sap may cause a skin inflammation in sensitive skin. Always wear gloves when handling this plant.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add this creeper to your plant collection? You may aquire Creeping Figs from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Ficus pumila Indoors
To care for Ficus pumila indoors, provide medium to bright indrect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Creeping Fig requires regular pruning to keep it neat and also encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Water Requirements
How often should I water a Creeping Fig?
Do not water Ficus pumila on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering, both of which are detrimental to the growth of the plant.
Water Creeping Fig liberally during the growing season (spring and summer) and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moist. Take care not to overwater to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.
Significantly decrease watering in the cold season (fall and winter) to maintain the soil slightly moist. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period as underwatering can lead to wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Use water that is at room temperature as consistently watering with cold water can result in cold shock leading to stunted growth and leaf drop. Only use with chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Avoid overwatering and soggy soil as they can result in root-rot and eventual death of the plant; make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.
Light Requirements
Where do you put Creeping Figs?
Put your Creeping Figs a few feet from a large, brightly-lit window as it prefers medium to bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves resulting in dry shrivelled leaves.
If the lighting is not adequate, Ficus pumila will respond with leggy growth and sparse foliage. Move it to a brighter place or use a grow light to supplement the light.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid leggy growth.
Outdoors, place your Creeping Fig in a shaded place. Though it can adapt to morning or late afternoon sunlight it needs to be acclimated gradually. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to avoid scorching.
Temperature & Humidity
Creeping Fig flourishes in a warmth of 16-280C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can lead to slow growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Ficus pumila grows best in a humidity of 60-70%. Dry air will result in wilting and dry leaf tips and edges. To up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas. Maintain good airflow to discourage fungal diseases.
You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Creeping Fig should be a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil to prevent root-rot. A combination of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir, and 20% perlite or sand is ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
What is the best fertilizer for Creeping Figs?
Feed your Creeping Fig with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing period (spring and summer) to promote a lush growth. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can result in leggy growth.
Stop feeding in the cold season (fall and winter) as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn; browning and dry leaf tips.
Repotting
Repot your Creeping Fig at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound. Avoid frequent repotting as it prefers to be pot-bound; repot only when the plant has outgrown its current pot and the roots begin to grow through the drainage hole.
Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one and one that has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil. Never allow the roots of the to sit in soggy soil as it may lead to leaf drop and root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Creeping Fig involves:
- Removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and minimize pests and diseases.
- Pinch off the growing tips regularly to encourage a compact and bushy growth.
- Cutback the stems if they become unruly to rejuvenate growth. You may use foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants.
Occasionally clean the leaves by washing them under a steady stream of water from a hose to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestation.
Ficus pumila Propagation
Will Ficus pumila grow from cuttings?
Creeping Fig is propagated from stem cuttings, by air layering or by plant division. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season (spring or early summer) when the plant is actively growing to hasten establishment. Learn how to propagate Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig).
Ficus pumila Problems & Solutions
Creeping Fig problems are plant dying, yellowing leaves, dropping leaves, dry & shrivelled leaves, pests, diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Plant dying
Why is my Creeping Fig dying?
Your Creeping Fig is dying due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency, salts buidup, direct sunlight, drafts, low humidity, too little light, poor quality soil, root-rot, pests among others. Check out these 10 Reasons why Creeping Fig is Dying and How to Revive It.
Yellowing leaves
Why is my Creeping Fig turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Creeping Fig are low light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, nutrients deficiency, drafts among others.
How to fix it
Low light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Soggy soil: Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Wait until the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. Do not laeve the soil to dry out completely for long.
Nutrients deficiency: Feeding monthly from spring through summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer is recommended.
Drafts: Place the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, radiators, AC units, windy doors and others to maintain a warmth of 16-280C.
Leaf drop
Why is my Creeping Fig dropping leaves?
Your Creeping Fig is dropping leaves due to soggy soil, temperature stress, too little light, nutrients deficiency or aging.
How to fix it
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafty conditions like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources among others.
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant monthly in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Do not feed in fall and winter.
Aging: As the plant matures, it loses the lower leaves.
Dry & shrivelled leaves
Why is my Creeping Fig drying out?
Dry and shrivelled leaves on Creeping Fig are due to direct sunlight, dry air or underwatering.
How to fix it
Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or instal a light curtain or sheer to diffuse the sunrays.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid areas.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry. Never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Pests
Common pests of Creeping Fig are aphids, mealybugs, scales and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Seperate the infested plant to reduce spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with a neem oil or an insecticidal soap. Take care to follow the instructions on the label.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity as it discourages the pests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Ficus pumila tolerate low light?
Ficus pumila can survive in low light but grows best in bright indirect light. Low light may cause leggy growth.
2. How do I make my Creeping Fig grow bushier?
You can make your Creeping Fig bushier by regular pruning and pinching to encourage compact, dense foliage.
3. Can Creeping Figs be in direct sunlight?
Creeping Figs can adapt to morning or late afternoon sunlight but they need to be acclimated gradually. Midday sunshine may scorch the leaves.
4. Is Creeping Fig toxic to pets?
Yes, Creeping Fig is mildly toxic to pets. Keep it away from cats and dogs.
5. Why is my Creeping Fig not growing?
Your Creeping Fig is not growing due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little, pests infestations, nutrients deficiency or temperature stress.
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