The creeping fig, Ficus pumila, is a vigorous vine that frequently climbs freestanding walls or completely covers an entire home’s outside wall. The creeping fig to attach to a wall using a glue-like material secreted by its aerial roots, which eliminates the need for support as it creeps along walls. Additionally, aerial roots are a hallmark of this plant. You can cut the vine at any point with a knife or pruning shears and put it into vertical surface gaps, leaving the aerial roots in contact with the wall. This allows the vine to glue itself to the wall and cling to it, even on vertical surfaces.
All you need to build a wall for creeping figs is an existing stone or concrete structure that receives sufficient sunshine. With the use of creeping figs, you can grow your own massive wall in a very short time. Allow the plant to self-adhere to the wall. Because of the risk of harm, avoid growing the vine on scaffolding or trellises, as well as over indoor pedestrian pathways.
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What is a creeping fig?
Ficus pumila, commonly referred to as the creeping fig or climbing fig, is a mulberry family flowering plant that is native to East Asia (China, Japan, and Vietnam) and has become naturalized in sections of the southeastern and south-central United States. Unlike most fig species, it is not an enormous tree, but a creeping fig that roots into the soil as it grows. Additionally, we discovered it can grow as a houseplant. The Latin specific epithet “pumila” means “dwarf,” referring to the plant’s little leaves. Another common name for this species is creeping ficus.
The climbing fig, Ficus pumila, is a robust, fast-growing evergreen vine that can reach 15 feet or more. Named for its linear leaves with pointy tips, the climbing fig. Because it is not wintering hardy in most of North Carolina and extreme cold can kill the vine to the ground, they frequently plant it as an annual groundcover, houseplant, or greenhouse plant. When grown indoors, plants should be in a soil-based potting mix that receives strong indirect light or partial shade and is protected from the afternoon sun. It needs consistent watering during the growing season and less frequently in the fall and late winter. Pruning may be necessary. When planted outdoors in wet, well-drained soil, the plant prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun. It thrives in areas with considerable humidity. It is drought tolerant, a strong climber, and salt-tolerant to a degree.
How many ways are there to get creeping fig to attach to a wall?
You can accomplish getting a creeping fig to attach to a wall in several ways. The following options are available to you:
- Plant the creeping fig in a pot and secure it with a wire or bracket to the wall.
- Train the creeping fig to climb a trellis or other wall-mounted structure.
- Use the creeping fig as a foundation for other plants and allow it to be a sprawling vine.
- Train a stem vertically against the wall, with side branches trained vertically or away from the wall.
- Attach a bracket to the wall and the creeping fig and other vines’ stems to it. Vertically train the stem, with side branches taught away from it.
Planting a Creeping Fig as an Indoor Plant
How to grow to creep fig plants indoors in containers where they can be propagated.
We frequently grow creeping fig vines as houseplants. The tiny leaves and rich green growth make this plant equally at home on a table or in a hanging arrangement. When grown as houseplants, creeping figs require bright, indirect light. We should place the plant in a location that receives no direct sunlight and only six hours of direct sunlight every day. To properly care for indoor creeping figs, we should keep the soil moist but not soggy. Before watering, it is best to examine the top of the soil. If the soil’s surface is dry, it should be watered. In the spring and summer, fertilize your creeping figs around once a month. Because of the creeping fig’s low light and water requirements, we can grow it inside. However, it requires a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit to flourish.
Fertilize it sparingly in the fall and winter. During the winter, you may need to supply your creeping fig plant with more humidity. Do this by placing a deep bowl of water underneath the plant. To add interest to a creeping fig houseplant container, you can use a pole, a wall, or even a topiary form. If you are using a trellis or other form, be sure to provide some support since the stems can become quite long. This provides something for the creeping fig vine to climb and eventually cover.
Creeping Fig Vine Planting in the Garden
If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 or higher, you can grow to creep fig plants outside all year. However, it is best planted in the garden during the warmer months elsewhere in the country. You frequently used them as a ground cover or, more frequently, as a wall or fence cover. They require little maintenance. However, most will want to water them sparingly. If permitted climbing a wall, it can reach a height of 16 feet (5 meters).
These creeping fig-like plants tolerate full or partial shade and thrive in well-drained soil when cultivated outdoors. To maintain their appearance, creeping figs require approximately 2 inches (5 cm) of water every week. If you do not receive this amount of rainfall in a week, you will need to supplement with the hose. We propagated creeping figs readily using plant divisions. As the creeping fig vine matures, it may become woody, and the leaves may also become older. To restore the plant to its finer leaves and vines, heavily prune the mature areas of the plant and they will sprout with the more desirable leaves. Before planting a creeping fig, keep in mind that after it has attached to a wall, it can be exceedingly difficult to remove, and attempting to do so may cause damage to the surface to which the creeping fig has attached.
Care for creeping figs is simple, regardless of whether we grow them indoors or outdoors. The creeping fig’s graceful growth and trailing vines make it an attractive addition to any home. Climbing figs add beauty and abundance to their surroundings.
Choose your creeping fig wall’s structure.
Choose a standalone wall or a stone, brick, or concrete block structure. According to Southern Living, because creeping fig to attach to a wall straight to the surface, it rots wood by preventing adequate air circulation to dissipate moisture. If you constructed your wall framework from wood, you must build support to ensure the fig has a flat surface. As a result, concrete block or masonry walls provide the best supplementary support. Additionally, it will grow into the joints of vinyl and metal siding, and creeping figs can cause damage to painted surfaces because of the glue-like material that holds them to the building wall. Creeping fig thrives in conjunction with stone walls, as the walls naturally promote air circulation and, hence, the evaporation of moisture. However, there is no risk of cross-contamination with other plants.
Examine and make repairs
On a concrete block or brick wall, inspect the surface and repair any crumbling or cracked mortar. If you discover any cracks, chips, or crumbling surfaces in the mortar, you can repair them by pouring a tiny amount of pre-mixed joint compound into the region and spreading it with a trowel over the rest of the mortar joint. Apply a generous layer of compound around the edge of the fracture or repair to fill up any gaps. You can do this on the entire joint or in small sections, for the time being, depending on how severe the joint is. Roots can penetrate the fractured mortar and cause it to crumble. Remove the old surface of your brick or masonry wall in a small area large enough to accommodate creeping figs.
Choose the Most Appropriate Location for Fig Creeping.
Choose a wall that provides partial shade from the full sun and measure how much sunlight reaches it at different times throughout the day. Leaves that are exposed to direct sunlight may be damaged and die. Growing creeping figs in full sun will scorch the leaves and turn them yellow if you live in an area with scorching summers. For creeping figs, south or west-facing walls provide the best light exposure. To avoid this, choose a partially shaded wall to keep your creeping fig wall healthy and beautiful. Choose a wall that receives four to six hours of direct sunlight per day. This is ideal not only for your creeping fig, but also for its capillary action, which keeps it cool and moist.
Choose a location where the vine can be pruned regularly. If not pruned regularly, creeping figs can grow up to four stories tall and encircle an entire building. If this isn’t an option, a trellis can keep it off the ground. You can also prune it back once a year to keep the plant and root system healthy. By keeping it pruned, you can train the vine to grow along the wall. If they do not keep it away from those structures, it will grow and expand in gutters and clog wooden windows and doors, causing damage.
The Creeping Fig’s propagation is important.
In its natural habitat, the fig wasp only pollinates this plant. In this way, the fig wasps are involved in the reproduction of this plant. However, you may simply grow the Creeping Fig using stem cuttings. Since the plant has a strong growth rate, the cuttings grab roots fast and maybe transplanted into individual pots in only a few months. This is the best way to get a quick start, especially from the stems of mature plants.
Propagation is best done in early spring. Water the plant well the day before to ensure hydrated cuttings. This process decreases stress during surgery and helps cuttings root faster. Propagation soil should contain 2 parts sand, 1 part compost, and 2 parts perlite. Saturate the mixture well and drain the new pot well.
Cut 10 cm long cuttings right below a set of leaves. Completely remove the leaves from the cutting. Dip the slice into rooting hormone powder for optimal results. Insert half of the cutting into the soil, leaving the leaves above the surface. Firmly press the dirt around the cutting.
Because the creeping fig loves humidity, you’ll need to create one with a plastic bag. Close the bag around the pot. Open the bag for air circulation and moisture evaporation.
Set the plant outside in the shade if the weather permits. Situate the pot near an east-facing window or a growth lamp. Alternately, regularly spray and water fresh growth. Place the pot in a warm, humid room (e.g., bathroom) with a plastic bag over it. Remove the plastic bag after six weeks. Wait a few months before relocating. Move it outside in the fall.
What is the best way to care for a creeping fig?
It’s relatively simple to keep a creeping fig healthy and growing. Except for occasional watering, the vine requires little attention. If your creeping fig isn’t producing as much fruit as you’d like,
- The first step is to make sure you have enough water on hand.
- Small amounts of fertilizer can also aid the creeping fig’s growth.
- Canker kills creeping fig trees. The condition causes the trunk to rise and the branches to curl inward. Foliage loss causes tree death.
- Crawling fig infestations should be treated. Early identification of tree disease can help prevent spread. Don’t panic if you see evidence of creeping fig.
- To prevent the disease from spreading, quarantine the infected tree. The disease can easily spread thanks to the tools used to prune the trees.
- If you spot signs on a tree, act quickly. To control the illness, you must dig up the tree and spray it with fungicide.
- To avoid spreading the disease, all instruments should be cleaned and disinfected before working on a healthy tree. Always clean your instruments after pruning.
- Pruning tools may spread fungi to other parts of the tree, so use a shovel or mower to remove the dead material.
- Remove and dispose of the scaffold branches to reduce the risk of spores spreading if the disease is extinguished.
- There are no known diseases or issues. Scale, aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites should all be avoided. The plant has the potential to become invasive.
- Each spring, add new organic fertilizer to the soil around the plants by brushing back the mulch and scratching the fertilizer into the soil. Apply a fresh layer of mulch.
Conclusion
I have done my best in this article to explain, how to creeping fig to a attach to a wall. The Creeping Fig is a versatile plant that can be used in several ways. It requires very little maintenance outside if the environment is like its natural habitat, but it can be quite demanding indoors if the environment is not similar. Pruning, cutting back, and general pampering will all be necessary this year. Grown in an apartment or as a houseplant, the Creeping Fig requires frequent watering and has high humidity requirements, making it an unsuitable choice for small spaces. It is not something I would recommend to someone who is just starting out in gardening. Leaving the Creeping Fig to its own devices will allow it to thrive, so it should not be tampered with or pruned too frequently.
The rewards of caring for this lovely evergreen are lush green foliage that will give your home a sophisticated tropical vibe, You can do it if you commit to it.
