Creeping Fig is a beautiful evergreen perennial vine with superior root clinging ability. It is a very popular landscape plant in many warm climate areas. This is one of the best vines for creating dense green coverings due to it's fine attractive foliage, shade tolerance and fast growth rate.
Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) is a unique member of the ficus family. It has clasping stems covered by small, delicate green leaves. Creeping Fig is primarily used in topiaries, terrariums, wall covers, hanging baskets and as a ground cover.
Creeping fig is an enthusiastic climber able to scramble up vertical surfaces 3 and 4 stories tall with the aid of a powerful adhesive. The vine coats surfaces with a tracery of fine stems that are densely covered with small heart shaped leaves that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) long by about .75 inch (2 cm) wide. They are held closely to the surface creating a mat of foliage that extends barely 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the surface. With Creeping Fig you can create cool green curtains of dense foliage on unattractive block, masonry, and concrete walls. Some cities use this vine to soften concrete freeway supports which helps to dampen traffic noise as well as provide visual relief.
As a houseplant, Creeping Fig is easily established in average to bright light. Its quick growth rate makes it an excellent choice for training on a topiary form. Creeping Fig is the basic dependable plant for covering any moss filled wired topiary form, taking the form of whatever it covers. Theme parks, hotels and resorts use creeping fig to create "instant" topiaries. Wire frameworks are created and lined with sphagnum moss and filled with growing medium. Creeping fig is planted in the frame which rapidly grows to cover the shape in a thin coat of fine-textured leaves.
This vine also makes a good ground cover for large plantings. It looks great scrambling over boulders and tree trunks as it endeavors to coat everything it encounters in a green blanket. Creeping fig is not particular about soil. It's less aggressive and easier to manage when its grown in less fertile, drier soil. This vine will grow at seaside if protected behind dunes or buildings.
Light: Shade to sun. Moisture: Water when dry when young. Once the vine matures you can let it fend for itself even during droughts. Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 11. Can tolerate freezing temperatures for short durations. Propagation: By cuttings, dust end with rooting hormone powder. Also by layers (the vine will form roots wherever it touches the ground).
Terry White along with his wife are the owners of Paula's Herbs and Plants a family owned business specializing in organically grown herbs and other plants. For more information on herbs and gardening in general check out our website and sign up for our newsletter.
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