Creeping Fig, Climbing Fig
Care
Lighting
The variegated cultivar will need bright to part sunny spots with morning or evening sun. Otherwise it can produce solid green leaves. Green leaved Ficus pumila does also good in light shade. During summer it can be placed in the garden or on the balcony.
Soil
Regular mixes for container plants, vegetables or herbs are suitable.
Watering
Let the soil moderately dry between the waterings to max. 75 % of the pots height. Reduce watering if placed cool during winter. Avoid overwatering or drying out.
Feeding
When in active growth with standard liquid fertilizer (monthly), spikes or granules (2 to 3 monthly).
New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
Green leaved Creeping Figs can either be grown warm the year round or given a winter rest period with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F). Ficus pumila “Variegata” does not like it that cool and needs a winter minimum of 10 °C (50 °F).
Propagation
Cuttings – there should be at least 2 leaves on each cutting.
Profile
Scientific name
Ficus pumila
Common name(s)
Creeping Fig, Climbing Fig
Family
Moraceae
Origin
Eastern Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam)
Height
Shoots can reach up to 4 m in length
Toxic
Fruits are edible
Ficus benjamina