Ficus pumila (creeping fig) C22

Vigorous and fast-growing, the Ficus pumila (creeping fig) is a climber or evergreen that grows relentlessly, covering everything it encounters (walls, trellises and other structures) by means of adhesive aerial roots.

The creeping fig is clothed with green, oval, heart-shaped leaves, 5 cm long, on its climbing stems. The foliage is elliptical, thicker, glossy and larger, 10 cm long, on the fruiting stems. The 5 cm long, pear-shaped, purple fruits may appear on outdoor plants throughout the year.

They rarely appear on indoor plants. Famous for covering structures throughout the southeast and west, creeping fig can be grown indoors as a houseplant in cooler areas or outdoors as an annual ground cover plant or in pots.

It grows up to 300-450 cm high and 90-180 cm wide.

This plant, which likes sun or partial shade, is easily grown in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Place in a spot protected from wind and afternoon sun. Grow indoors in a potting soil mix in bright indirect light or partial shade.

Water regularly during the growing season and reduce watering from autumn to late winter.

Virtually disease free. Beware of greenhouse spider mite, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects under glass.

Attention should be paid to pruning if grown as a ground cover. It can become a nuisance by climbing trees and growing beyond the desired area.

Propagated by seeds, leaf buds or semi-hardwood cuttings.

Native to East Asia