Common
name: "Climbing Fig" or "Creeping Fig"
Latin name: Ficus pumila - synonym Ficus repens
Native
to: China, Japan and Vietnam
Growth habit: A trailing or climbing vine.
Flowers: No
Temps: Normal indoor temps
Humidity: Place on pebble tray if possible. Pests: Watch for mealy
bug or scale.
Lighting:
Pictured
Houseplant:
8" Ficus Repens Variegated
Houseplant
Cultural
information: The pictured plant is a difficult to
find, variegated "Creeping Fig". The solid green variety
is much more common.
Place your "Creeping Fig" in bright filtered or
indirect light. They'll also grow well in strong artificial
lighting. Next time your at DIA... look for the bed of
"Creeping Fig" that is thriving in artificial light.
Ficus repens likes to be kept moist... but not soggy. There is a
fine line here... but once you figure it out, your plant will
continually grow. Place an upright plant on a pebble
tray. Ficus repens likes to climb on nearly any natural
surface. Feed your plant bi-monthly with a balanced liquid
fertilizer. Propagation is difficult.
"Creeping Fig" is available as small 3" and
4" starter plants as well as 6" upright pots and 6"
and 8" hanging baskets.
