Among the most popular picks is Ficus pumila, otherwise known as creeping fig. That way, when one plant declines, a new one will be waiting to take its spot. The branch can reach several inches in diameter and will actually set a "fig" type of fruit. Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with sterile potting mix. For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership. The variegated is pretty but not nearly as aggressive as the all green variety so I dont think it will grow adequately for this purpose. For indoor pots or a small outdoor garden, you need only one creeping fig plant. Also, the creeping fig we inherited was SUPER unruly when we got it, with mostly large dark leaves and thicker stems. These quick-growing plants usually need annual repotting. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Creeping fig is vulnerable to a variety of pests common to the indoors, including aphids, mealybug, scale, and whitefly. This fast-spreading vine requires at least 10 feet of vertical clearance and 3 feet of . If you have a very large container it will then be able to hold more water for your plant. Baby Ficus Repens. When creeping fig is small and it is growing on a wall it has small leaves, less than an inch in diameter and the stems are very thin and easy to trim. my creeping fig plants and there are many,are grown on a tall retaining wall for many years. It needs no support and will send out little sucker roots to hold on to just about anything. For instance, you can attach eyehooks in the wall using masonry shields. Thanks so much. If your creeping figs leaves are dying, its important to identify the cause so you can take steps to correct it. Creeping fig is not prone to any significant diseases. The creeping fig plant (Ficus pumila) is a beautiful addition to any garden or home. I saw somewhere that anti graffiti paint (clear coat) keeps creeping ficus from attaching. Tiny and tough, Ficus pumila is a dwarf member of the Ficus family. A charming climber with small, heart-shaped leaves, creeping fig (Ficus pumila) will cover unsightly cement, stucco or brick buildings. Its coming detached from the wall in spots and has the bigger, not-so-pretty looking leaves and is growing figs. If your plants leaves brown or fall off, it most likely has too much water. There are several reasons why leaves on a creeping fig plant may die. During Hurricane Matthew, we had three feet of salt water covering it for 3 days. My husband suggested a bead of siliconeor something like that, that it could not attach itself to so we could get it to grow in just a specific areasilly?? Indoor creeping figs require moist soil, but not too much moisture, for proper growth. Use a soil testing kit purchased from a garden center to determine the pH. Because of their docile nature and reputation as thuggish, creepers are regarded as a model garden citizen. Generally, you should water your creeping fig regularly (about once a week) during its growing season, but taper off your cadence in fall and winter, when the plant tends toward partial dormancy. Almost every English website will tell you that the Climbing Fig, Ficus pumila, does not have edible fruit (aka Ficus repens, Creeping Fig). Ideas to update and improve your outdoor space with hardscaping elements. We prefer the new growth look, but we are scared to just start cutting away if the plants are already damaged. If it is trimmed regularly you wont see the thick branches too much. (^ feet above where I keep it trimmed.) However, it should not be used on wood walls because its sticky tendrils can cause damage. Repotting and potting are two of the most common methods of doing so. Step 1. It is completely brown and dried out from the Feb 2021 deep freeze in Houston. A former master gardener with a Bachelor of Arts in writing from Houghton College, Audrey Stallsmith has had three gardening-related mysteries published by WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House. Mid climates work perfectly when it comes to growing Ficus pumila outside. Thanks. Free shipping for many products! Hello! Remove the plant from the container and carefully put it on its side. Creeping fig covers, such as those commonly used as ground covers, walls, and fence covers, can be made from a variety of materials. SOURCEBOOK FOR CONSIDERED LIVINGThe definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, with garden tours, hardscape help, plant primers, and daily design news. I am removing 2/3 of the original plants (monster roots!) It attacks stucco so aggressively we will have to put a new cover coat on before we sell the house. With potted plants, it's not practical to keep increasing pot size with each annual repotting. I just clipped the living stiff off and covered them with a damp towel in a 1 gallon freezer bag, then I taped the clipping to the bag and covered it with a layer of sun-colored plastic. You should receive an email with your password reset code - please enter it below, along with your new password. Apply a fresh layer of mulch at the same time. Plant your tree. Provided it is getting its cultural needs met (plenty of indirect light and regular water), a potted creeping fig that begins to show a lack of vigor and sparse foliage has probably outgrown its pot. It's sometimes used to cover topiaries. Amend with lime if the pH is below 6.1 or peat moss if the soil pH is above 7.8. You can grow it indoors or outdoors and give it proper attention. Remove the creeping fig plants from their nursery containers. They can climb and thrive on anything. I have a wide resting wall that has gotten unsightly (dirty) o er the years. Your plant already has an established root system so it should recover very quickly. They can help you diagnose the problem and find a solution. Despite the fact that creeping fig is a relatively peaceful plant, there are some cultural issues. What approach would you take to improve your life? Next, water the plant deeply, making sure the soil is evenly moist. It will also tolerate low lighting conditions. When creeping fig branches are cut, milky sap escapes, hardening and sealing the wounds, so gardening gloves are required. I can see the green healthy portion growing along the ground. In a well-draining pot with commercial potting mix, you should expect Creeping Fig to thrive. Bury the stem securely and make sure that it will not pop out to accelerate root development. Sign up for our newsletter. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Green Creeping Fig Plant - Terrarium/Fairy Garden - Ficus pumila - 4" Pot at the best online prices at eBay! I would let go of all the dead stuff in order to see if it came back. If you live in a hot, dry climate, growing figs indoors may be a good option for you. Creeping figs are evergreen vines that grow well as climbers, ground cover, and houseplants. I am guessing that you may have the same issues as the previous question, so I will defer you to those answers too. Make sure the base will be easily reached if you plant it. This plant does grow from the tips, so trimming those will keep it the same size (but does encourage branching). Ask the Expert: Will a "Poisonous" Plant Really Kill Your Pet? Unfortunately, figs are hardy and can be dormant during the winter months, when temperatures begin to fall, or at times when they become dormant. Hi Jeb,How long has it been growing? I have cut most of it back. I have a shady spot in my front yard where grass cant grow well. As the vines age, or as they start to stretch out, the leaves get larger and the stem gets thicker. After this point, the growth direction is more outward, and this is the point where it can become more invasive and destructive to outdoor structures. Full sun to partial shade is required for healthy leaf coloring, as well as a soil pH between 6.1 and 7.8. To keep a creeping fig in top condition, make sure the plant receives approximately 2 inches of water weekly. Temperature The optimal temperature for a Ficus pumila is 65-75F (18-24C). Plants growing in exposed outdoor locations can be scorched by drying winter winds. thinking about putting ficus pumila there but Im wondering whether it can be mowed. Make the hole just large enough for the root ball to fit, and plant the tree at the same level it was growing in the container. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is a popular houseplant known for its easy-care nature and ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions. They are drought tolerant, but will perform better in the early stages of growth if given regular waterings. Not only are they attractive and easy to grow, but they're also excellent and relatively hardy houseplants that can withstand a variety of different settings and even a certain degree of benign neglect. Prune most of the vines and stems away from the wall. We trim ours 2-3 times per year, so it isnt too much work if you like the look. These plants grow well if they are somewhat root-bound, so rather than potting up to a larger container, you can simply prune back the root ball and pot it back into the same container with fresh potting mix. In general, you should aim to give your plant six to eight hours of diffused, indirect light each day. Creeping fig has two growth phases. Standing water promotes root rot and plant disease. How do I get a creeping fig to grow 2-3 feet above the top of the cinder block wall for taller privacy from a neighbor? The first step in growing a creeping fig from cuttings is to prepare a pot. This vine can also take over your walls and cause structural damage, so dont let it take over your home. It takes light traffic, needs EXTREMELY little water once established, is nearly indestructible, grows like crazy and can be mowed (many folk around here use it as a lawn stand-in). Or do I need to cut my loses and pay someone hundreds of dollars to remove it? Creeping fig ( Ficus pumila) is a fast-growing vine that can be used to soften the look of concrete garden walls. Yes, it is bad for the mortar that holds the bricks together but we dont actually use the chimney and I like how it looks! We live in sunny Southern California. Our Monday digest of helpful ideas and inspiration to improve your dream kitchen or bath. I would probably try to clean out some of the brown leaves. Do not over-water the creeping fig. creeping fig plants grow best when grown in aerated potting soil. It essentially doesnt have the root system that it needs to support all of the leaves, so for now trimming it back will help it to actually grow better. Purple, pear-shaped fruits that have a dark brown color and a purple or purple shape. I have a planter about 10 feet by 1 foot and I am trying to grown the pumilla ficus. we have done zero maintenance and now large areas are falling completely away from the wall. North Carolina State Extension. Despite its adaptability to full sun, a plant that thrives outdoors prefers partial shade and is best grown in moist, well-drained soil. Your email address will not be published. Cutting it back will reinvigorate the plant and you will get a wall of green, small leaves once you have the new growth where you want it. There is a lot of brown with just a few green shoots mingled in. To get a creeping fig growing on walls doesnt require much effort on your part, only a little patience. I guess other than hot glue gun. Try taking a piece of wire, bending it into a U-shape and then using it to pin the stem to the soil. Here you can see in the top the neatly trimmed vine versus the part below Mikes arm that is just minutes away from its demise. A young vine can be watered on a regular basis as long as it is not watered until it is mature, but you should leave it to Mother Nature to take care of. Creeping Fig Fertilizer Requirement Fertilizing should be done once a month in the plant's growing season. An entire house seems like a lot to me. It is critical to water your creeping fig only when necessary to keep it growing. If you choose to feed your plant, opt for a weak liquid fertilizer and feed once a month throughout the spring, summer, and fall, decreasing to every other month in the winter. (No rooting hormone is necessary.). University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Ficus Pumila, These peel and stick floor tiles will give your kitchen an affordable new look, Different Types & Methods to Grow Grapevines. It pays to be tough on this trimming so that this task doesnt become a monthly event. Creeping fig is very tough, but when it dries out to an extreme the leaves will turn crispy and fall off. A Wednesday round-up of our favorite new products for the home. A climbing fig (Ficus pumila), also known as creep fig, is a simple, fast-growing fig that can be used to cover fence and wall panels. Jill, I think this is a legitimate concern! Do these need to be guided with anything or will they just grow up a wall alone? A burrowing fig is a houseplant that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It does not require fertilization in order to thrive, but it can be fed to aid its growth. Will it come back in the spring , or shoould I pull down and start over in the spring? That will work, but I would suggest that you get the largest pot possible. If you notice the plant's leaves browning or dropping from the plant, it's probably getting too much water. Native to Asia, it can be grown in terrariums or used in larger pots, where it will prettily cascade over the sides of the pot. Pinch the fig plants back if you want to encourage fuller growth. Be it concrete, rock, metal, or wood. For now, leave the brown leaves on it (to protect from any future freezes this winter) and be patient in the spring. Give it some time. Im trying to grow a creeping fig vine on an aluminum pergola. Choose from among the varieties available, which include Ficus pumila "Minima" with smaller leaves, Ficus pumila "Quercifolia" with oak-shaped leaves, and Ficus pumila "Variegata" with variegated ones. Outdoor locations can be fed to aid its growth green shoots mingled.... And will actually set a & quot ; type of fruit pin the stem securely and make sure base... 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Below, along with your password reset code - please enter it below, along with your password! Plant from the Feb 2021 deep freeze in Houston unsightly cement, stucco or brick buildings that! So that this task doesnt become a monthly event per year, so dont let it over! A Ficus pumila, otherwise known as creeping fig growing on walls require. And cause structural damage, so i will defer you to those answers too practical... Wire, bending it into a U-shape and then using it to pin the to. An aluminum pergola filled with sterile potting mix, you should expect creeping fig branches are cut, milky escapes. The problem and find a solution figs indoors may be a good option for.... Pin the stem gets thicker my creeping fig in top condition, make sure that it not... To encourage fuller growth may have the same time we inherited was SUPER when. It on its side the early stages of growth if given regular waterings put it on side! 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