Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig
1000 in stock
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Current Stock Height Guides
Current Stock Height Guides
Trade Customers
Trade Customers
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About Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig
Ficus pumila, commonly known as Creeping Fig, is an evergreen climbing and creeping plant with a dense, spreading habit. It produces small, heart-shaped leaves held tightly along fine, clinging stems that attach readily to vertical surfaces. Juvenile foliage is compact and uniform, forming a close, textured cover when established.
It performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils, though it tolerates a wide range of soil types once established. Ficus pumila is well suited to warm temperate and subtropical climates and tolerates coastal conditions, wind, and periods of dryness once established. Light frost may cause leaf damage, but plants generally recover in mild frost areas. Maintenance involves regular trimming to manage spread.
They look excellent when used for wall coverage, fences, retaining walls, and groundcover in residential and commercial landscapes. This species is commonly specified where fast coverage, evergreen foliage, and the ability to soften built structures are required.
Key Information to Know
Evergreen / Deciduous
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: Climbing to 10–15m with support
Mature Width: 3–5m (as groundcover)
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig is expected to grow 1–2m per year (fast, once established).
Frost Tolerance
Is Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig frost tolerant?
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Flowering Information
Ficus pumila does not produce ornamental flowers. Its blooms are small and inconspicuous, forming within enclosed structures typical of fig species, with the plant instead valued for its vigorous growth and dense, clinging foliage.
Native Information
Is Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig an Australian Native? No
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig is Native to East Asia, including China, Japan, and Vietnam, where Ficus pumila grows naturally on rocky slopes, forest margins, and shaded cliff faces.
Wildlife Value
Its dense foliage provides shelter for small birds, lizards and beneficial insects, creating valuable microhabitats within the garden. While not grown for nectar-rich flowers, its structure contributes to local biodiversity by offering protection and nesting opportunities in vertical spaces.
Sunlight Information
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig will thrive best in:
Preffered Soil
Ficus pumila performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with a neutral pH. It will also tolerate poorer soils if enriched with organic matter to improve moisture retention. Avoid waterlogged or compacted conditions unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can stress the roots. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.
Botanical Information
Botanical Information
Botanical Information
Common Name: Creeping Fig
Genus: Ficus
Botanical Species: pumila
Family: Moraceae
Botanical Name: Ficus pumila
Landscape Uses
Landscape Uses
Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig works in an:
Planting, Spacing & Care
Planting, Spacing & Care
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Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig is expected to grow 1–2m per year (fast, once established).
Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting
Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting
Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.
- 30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
- 40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
- 50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
- 100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
- 150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
- 200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
- 300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
- 400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
- 500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
- 750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
- 1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
- 2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)
Ideal Conditions
Ideal Conditions
Thrives in
Frost Tolerance
Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Drought Tolerance
As a young plant it benefits from regular watering to establish strong growth, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, Ficus pumila shows good drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods, although it maintains the healthiest foliage with occasional supplementary watering.
Flowering Information
Flowering Information
Does Ficus pumila – Creeping Fig flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Not Applicable
Ficus pumila does not produce ornamental flowers. Its blooms are small and inconspicuous, forming within enclosed structures typical of fig species, with the plant instead valued for its vigorous growth and dense, clinging foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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