Ficus pumila

Common Names

Creeping Fig, Climbing Fig

Summary

Creeping fig is an evergreen climber from East Asia that climbs surfaces with aerial roots, forming dense foliage that can cover walls or spread as ground cover; juvenile leaves are heart-shaped and under 1 inch, color-shifting from burgundy to bronze and green, while mature leaves become larger up to about 4 inches and have a leathery texture, with a growth habit that can reach about 8–15 ft tall and 3–6 ft wide with support and includes variegated forms.

In cultivation outdoors it tolerates partial shade to full sun and indoors bright indirect light, preferring moist, well-drained soil with regular watering and avoidance of soggy conditions; hardy in USDA zones 8–11; used as ground cover, walls, living walls, terrariums, and container displays; propagation by stem cuttings with pruning to control growth; common pests include mealybugs, scale, aphids, and spider mites, while a milky sap may irritate skin and the plant is toxic to pets and humans, with potential invasiveness in warm climates requiring regular pruning.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-15 feet

Spread

3-6 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial sun to partial shade; tolerates full sun

Soil Type

Well-draining, moisture-retentive soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 5.5–7.0), preferably loamy or sandy

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Year-round

Foliage Color

Green (juvenile leaves may be burgundy to bronze, progressing to light to medium green; mature leaves dark green and shiny)

Fall Foliage Color

Green (no fall color change)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast-growing; outdoors: several feet per year under the right conditions, up to 3–5 ft/year under optimal conditions; indoors: slower but steady.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts songbirds, attracts other pollinators