Learn all about creeping fig care indoors below. Are you looking for a vine or a climber plant to keep in your living room? Consider creeping fig as your friend in this journey.
The luxuriant vines, namely Creeping figs, create a beautiful vibe in a house. This Moraceae-family species is frequently grown indoors.
Although it may be cultivated outside as a wall creeper, most gardeners choose to spread the vines indoors.
Sometimes known as Fig Ivy, these creeping figs are common throughout Asia and warmer parts of America.
In this post, we will discuss all you need to know about creeping figs and how to take care of these house vines in detail, so keep reading below!
The Appearance Of Creeping Fig
The creeping fig is a youthful indoor perennial with small, shiny foliage in the shape of hearts along delicate stems, similar to creeping charlie and creeping jenny.
Yet, long, bushy branches and aged leaves have an oval form and a rubbery feel if grown outside. Also, its long, bright green strands cascading down look amazing in dangling pots.
With its brilliant green foliage, the creeping vine is a simple indoor plant to grow. The creeping fig grows the best in USDA zones nine and above.
How To Care For Creeping Fig Indoor?
Fast-growing, perennial Creeping fig houseplants may reach heights between 15 to 20 meters. Use a well-draining soil mix for nurturing the vines.
The ideal temperature range is between 65 and 85 F. Place it in a spot in your home that is well-lit and receives intense, filtered light.
During the growing season, you may add a liquid fertilizer once a month that will assist the plant in thriving.
Creeping Fig Care Indoors: Factors That Affect The Growth
1. Type of Soil
Light, freely draining soil is ideal for the Creeping fig plant. Sand will increase the ability of manure or potting mixture to retain moisture if you utilize any of those materials.
Make sure that its pH is kept between 6.5 and 7.5. (from acidic to neutral). The potting mix must be well-draining, in case you decide to buy one instead of making your own.
2. How To Water A Creeping Fig
When it comes to watering, your creeping fig plant just needs to be misted once weekly. When watering, it’s crucial to maintain your fresh potting soil uniformly hydrated.
Only once the topmost layer or a quarter of soil has run dry may you irrigate the plant once more.
The Creeping fig leaves will turn brown as an indication of decay if you waterlog them. Inadequate drainage holes may also bring on these two problems.
3. Humidity Levels
Since it does not thrive in arid places as it is native to tropical areas of Asia, a creeping fig enjoys high humidity.
It’s indeed recommended to spray the vines in the hanging position daily if you live in a dry climate.
Maintain a relative humidity between 40 and 60% or place the houseplants close to the kitchen or bathroom open to raise dampness.
Is Fertilizer Needed For The Growth of Creeping Fig houseplant?
Feed your creeping fig a light, weak fertilizer during the growth period because it doesn’t need one. Skip the fertilizer in the winter months.
Lighting for a Creeping Fig
Keep your Creeping fig in indirect sunlight for best results. The plant could be brought adjacent to a window with blinds or drapes and good lighting.
Avoid leaving the plant in direct sunlight in front of an open window because the bright light might burn the foliage.
What Is Temperature Range Best For A Creeping Fig Houseplant?
Warm indoor temperatures between 65 and 85 F are preferred for the Creeping fig vine plants, which is about 18 and 27 Celsius.
Heat vents and drafty windows can damage your creeping figs, so keep them away at all times.
This species is not tolerant of extreme cold and is also vulnerable to heat, which can lead to death.
Repotting A Creeping Fig
It is recommended to report Creeping fig plants after approximately one year because it grows faster. Also, use plastic pots if you are hanging these indoors.
If the roots begin to extend beyond the drainage openings, your creeping fig plant may be root-bound. Another sign of root bound is that in the pot, the roots begin to circle.
How To Cure The Root Bound?
By delicately removing the plant from the pot, one can see the creeping fig’s roots.
The plant is root-bound if somehow the mud pulls out along with the creeping fig, in which case you will need to repot it into a bigger container. Follow the following steps to repot creeping fig plants:
First, purchase a container that is at least 2 inches bigger than the one you already have. Then, ensure that the pot has holes at the bottom for drainage.
After that, create a fresh potting mixture for your plant.
Now, fill the plastic pot with some soil. After adding the remaining potting mix, softly pat it down all around the creeping fig, and place the plant inside the pot.
Finally, water the creeping fig to adapt to its new container.
Pruning A Creeping fig
It’s easy to prune a Creeping fig. If you see that a creeping plant has dead parts, you may chop these off because these plants can readily develop new foliage.
Leaves of the creeping fig can be scorched by the sun, so it’s best to cut them off.
Pruning in spring is important for creeping figs because it grows fast and climbs onto every structure, so to ensure that the room doesn’t look like a forest, prune the vines.
However, never cut more than 50% of the plant off. To prevent further infections, ensure that you thoroughly clean all tools used, such as shears and scissors.
Common issues with the Creeping fig
Below are some of the persistent issues that are common in the creeping fig houseplant:
1. Bacterial leaf spots
The plant has already been afflicted by a bacterium if it develops tiny, water-soaked leaf (approximately about 0.25-inch width) spots on its foliage.
If you notice a bacterial leaf patch developing when it is still in its early stages, it may be easily treated.
If the infection is severe or if there are numerous lesions visible on the plant, the lesions upon that leaf might rapidly turn black.
The leaf’s lesions become more reminiscent of parchment as they age. However, on young leaves, bacterial leaf spot is quite rare.
2. How To Treat Bacterial leaf spot Issues?
Apply microbe-free seeds for the new plant to prevent the proliferation of bacterial leaf spots.
Consider avoiding sprinkler and drip watering techniques. Place the plant in the direct sun a few times a week.
Since the infection can propagate, you must avoid placing an affected plant near a healthy one.
A copper fungicide ought to be used to control bacterial leaf spots; however, its utility in preventing bacterial growth over a long time period has to restrict.
Additionally, you should remove any affected plant parts to avoid the propagation of the bacterium.
Pest Infestation
Mealybugs are fluffy, round, gray, and white-colored insects.
These tiny crawler pests are quite energetic when they first appear on creeping figs but become less mobile as they keep on feeding.
A mealybug could feed on the plant by extracting the sap from the plant tissue.
After it has finished feasting, it will drop around sticky honeydew, which draws other bugs or fungus.
Since they travel more slowly, you’ll be able to recognize these parasites on the oval leaves before they harm the whole of the plant.
How To Keep Mealybugs At Bay from creeping figs?
You must delicately swab the foliage using rubbing alcohol to prevent the growth of these parasites.
One can use a cotton bud or Q-Tips to massage the wiping alcohol. Neem oil is one natural remedy that you may use to prevent the proliferation of such pests.
Most mealybugs can also be eradicated from the plant by blasting water at high-pressure after other treatments have been given.
How to care For Creeping Fig Indoors FAQs
Q: What Is The Life Of A Creeping Fig?
The creeping figs can live up to 10 years. Yet, you have to prune and treat it often as it grows fast.
Q: Is Creeping Fig And Sunny Fig The Same Species?
No, the Sunny fig is a different variety of specie; it has white margins on the leaves, unlike the creeping fig.
Q: What Is The Scientific Name Of The Creeping Fig?
Ficus Pumila is the Creeping fig’s scientific name. Other varieties include snowflakes, Quercifolia, and Minima.
Wrapping It Up
For those who are new to cultivation, among the simplest plants to propagate is creeping fig.
The plant provides one of the finest options for novice gardeners since it can regenerate even though the mass of its parts perish.
Creeping fig looks basic yet exquisite, making it appropriate for both homes and workplaces. Although this plant can be grown outside, the plant thrives indoors as well.
The plant can coexist alongside your other indoor plants because its overall fragrance is not overbearing.
This information about creeping fig can help you make a new addition to the collection of houseplants, especially in the category of vines and climbers.
My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.
