What is Ficus pumila?
Popularly known as the Creeping Fig or the wall-climbing fig, Ficus Pumila is a flowering species belonging to the family Moraceae or Mulberry. Because of the plant’s dwarfism, the genus Pumila—when converted to Latin means dwarf or miniature trees.
Appearance and Characteristics
Ficus pumila is a vine-like plant with a height of 10 to 15 feet tall and a width of 3 to 6 feet in its most mature state; in its early developmental stage, it has a measurement of 3 to 10 ft in height. The plant grows adequately when exposed to partial sunshade and loves well-drained, well-aerated soil type; it also grows well in neutral or slightly acidic soils. Ficus Pumila rarely blossoms despite producing seeds.
It has essential wildlife value as it is the perfect host for most butterfly species. Unlike other plants that grow upward, along with the aid of their strong stems, it grows in a tendril climbing form. Its leaves are an evergreen broadleaf that grows by spreading and climbing rapidly, forming a canopy-like structure around its growth area.
The leaves attached to the stem are oval-shaped with opposite asymmetrical veins. The stem is slender-like and has an interior milky sap with an adventitious aerial root that secret latex, which helps its tick on walls whilst climbing.
It requires little to no maintenance and has a medium texture type. The fruits produced are greenish or purplish and are fully ripened in summer and spring, ready for harvest. The fruits are 1 to 3 inches and width and are sometimes pear-shaped when grown outdoors. Ficus Pumila does not have fruits when they are grown indoors. Although the fruits are inedible, it is a staple dish in most Asian countries like Taiwan.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant Name: Ficus pumila pronounced FYE-Kuss PEW-mih-lah under a Family Moraceae.
Native to: They are indigenous to Asia, specifically Central and Southern Eastern Asian parts, like China. It can also be seen in the Southeast and South Central in the United States in small growth numbers.
Care: They require lots of moderately unfiltered sunlight when placed inside and also need a well-watered, well-drained, and properly aerated soil that receives proper and constant watering. They also need adequate pruning to cut out vestigial parts, taking away essential nutrients.
Size: They are dwarf plants that grow 10 to 15ft tall and 1 to 3 feet wide when they are indoors and pruned regularly. Outdoors where they are not pruned grow as high as 30 to 40 feet tall and as broad as 8 to 15 ft wide.
Common Problems: They attract insects and are the perfect hoist for butterfly eggs and larvae. They are perfect for a butterfly infestation. They also damage walls they grow into, causing marks on painted walls and holes on brick walls. Asides from being poisonous, their canopy-like structure allows infestation to grow well and is often unnoticeable. Hence, they can easily transmit diseases to other plants in the home.
Toxicity: As in every family of Moraceae, the milk sap is also poisonous. They are listed amongst one of the toxic plants in the FDA Database. When the milky sap comes into contact with the eyes and skin, they irritate phytophotodermatitis—a skin irritation caused by the milky sap.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for a plant to lighten your home, then check out the Hydrangea Serrata.
How to take care of Ficus pumila
Sunlight: They require constant sunlight at minimal temperature. It is advised they receive at least 8 to 6 hours of indirect, filtered, and non-scorching sunlight every day. They can also survive in low light conditions, although it will eventually cause potential harm to the overall growth.
Watering: The soil should be moist with water and not flood to the root part during water. Ensure the soil is visibly dried out before watering again; give at least 3 days’ interval between each watering session.
Humidity & Temperature: As a tropical terrarium plant, Ficus Pumila prefers a warm and humid environment, similar to tropic regions. The temperature should not be kept too cold or too hot; between 60-to-80-degree Fahrenheit serves as the perfect temperature for growth, as anything lower is unadvisable. There is no need to supply an artificial humidifier for areas with a humid environment to keep the environment’s moisture content perfect for the plant’s growth.
Cleaning: Cleaning Ficus Pumila is unnecessary as their leaves are too small to collect any noticeable amount of dirt. They do not grow upright rather on the wall, which may be difficult to clean. If there is ever need to clean, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off dirt and mist sparingly afterward to introduce moisture.
Fertilizing & soil: Ficus Pumila does not need an additional growth factor as it already possesses every nutrient. If you intend to add a little fertilizer, opt for a liquid and preferably weak fertilizer.
Repotting: if the growth intent is to maximize the plant size, repotting should be done biannually. Ensure the next repotting container is twice the size of the initial to allow for more growth.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for an exotic plant, then check out Chlorophytum comosum from Southern Africa.
How and When to Prune Ficus pumila
Your plant requires pruning when the leaves are greener and darker than usual. The best time to prune Ficus Pumila is during the Spring or Summer season as the sunlight rays and environmental conditions are perfect for healing after pruning. They require sharp, shorting pruning equipment for a snag cut.
Depending on the plant’s current size, ensure dead and dried parts, vestigial parts, and brown leaves branches are cut off. Also, if the pruning is to reduce the plant size, cut off branches—at least 10cm shorter and remove excess parts. This will make the regrowth better than the former.
In summary, it is a well-adapting plant and can withstand any form of pruning.
Problems with Ficus Pumila
It harbors diseases and infestation; the latex it produces destroys walls and buildings. It climbs on—causing holes, marks, and marks on the walls. The toxic sap causes skin irritation—phytophotodermatitis—thus making it unsafe for families with young kids and pets.
How to propagate?
Propagating Ficus Pumila is easy as it only requires stem cuttings. In a potting container containing a sterile soil mixture, pour in water and drain off any excess. Create a hole by imprinting the fingers inside the soil, plant in the stem cuttings, and cover-up.
Ensure the container is warm and kept near a constant source of sunlight to facilitate faster growth.
Common FAQs
What is so special about Ficus pumila?
They give the home a tropical feel, thus making it very attractive. They require no help during growth and are perfect for absentee homeowners. It also requires special wasps to pollinate before it flowers; these wasps can be found in the tropics in Asia.
It produces edible food eaten in Asian countries like Taiwan and Singapore. It is also used as a covering because of its canopy growth.
Is Ficus Pumila good indoor plants?
Ficus Pumila qualities make it the perfect indoor plant. Its small oval leaves make it attractive as it gives the home a tropical feel. Ficus Pumila is also easy to grow and requires little attention and stress. It does not need supplements like fertilizers or professional pruning. The plant is a relatively complex houseplant perfect for people with little to no spare time to dedicate to a plant.
Can a Ficus Pumila plant live in low light?
Yes, Ficus Pumila can survive in low light. Although the growth rate reduces, causing the leaves to brown and fall off.
Plant inspiration tip: looking for a beautiful plant, then check out the lovely Hydrangea Serrata.
Summary
Ficus Pumila is a tropical plant that is one of the most house-friendly house plants. It requires minor requirements for growth and can be maintained easily, although a little poisonous (toxic sap) when ingested. It is also an invasive plant that attracts insects like aphids, thrips, and spider mites, causing a home infestation if not observed early.