Ficus pumila or climbing ficus file
- Common name: Ficus pumila, climbing ficus and creeping ficus
- Scientific name: Ficus line up
- Family: moraceae
- Origin: Eastern Asia
- Location: Interior and exterior
- Ideal temperature: 16-21 ºC
- Irrigation: Keep the substrate moist; let it dry between waterings.
- Fertilization: Every 3 weeks in growth; every 2 months in dormancy.
Ficus pumila characteristics
The gender Rubber plant It covers a wide variety of plants, with the tree-sized ficus being the most prominent. However, the Ficus line up It is a climbing plant with small leaves and thin stems which, in its natural habitat (East Asia), climbs various structures such as trees or rock faces. You may know it better by its common names, creeping ficus or climbing ficus. As these indicate, it is a creeping and climbing plant which can be used interchangeably as a hanging plant or covering the base of other indoor plants as ground cover.
Iñigo Segurola showing a wall covered with Ficus line up
If planted in front of a wall, the plant has the ability to cover it quickly thanks to the aerial roots it sends out from the nodes of the stems. Although it produces small flowers, its main attraction lies precisely in its foliage and its ability to cover surfaces. Varieties of Ficus line up which feature different patterns and colors on their leaves, making them even more attractive to gardeners. For a deeper understanding of their cultivation and care, you can consult the Ficus care guide.
Types of ficus pumila
Nowadays we can find different varieties and cultivars of Ficus line up, but we present below two of the most popular and common ones: Ficus pumila Green Sunny or sunny green Ficus pumila and Ficus pumila White Sunny or Ficus pumila sunny white.
Ficus pumila Green Sunny
The most common variety of Ficus line up Its the heart-shaped green leaf, whose leaves create a contrast between dark and light green. This variety is especially popular in gardens and as a houseplant thanks to its attractive appearance and easy maintenance.
From top to bottom: Ficus pumila Green Sunny and Ficus pumila White Sunny
Ficus pumila White Sunny
The second variety is that of leaves shaded in white tones around the perimeter of the leaf. These touches of white give the plant greater luminosity, making it suitable for illuminating dark spaces in the home or garden. Like Iñigo Segurola, many gardeners prefer this variety for its ability to bring light and elegance to any setting.
Ficus pumila care
Light and temperature
El Ficus line up It is an understory plant, which means that it is not very demanding in terms of light. Its maximum growth is achieved with constant temperatures around 20 ºC, being able to withstand temperatures around 0 ºC outdoors and properly acclimatized. Although it is a tropical plant, it has demonstrated a notable resistance, being able to withstand temperatures below zero, down to -5ºC or -6ºC. This has been verified by many gardeners, who have grown this plant even in cold climates. For proper indoor management, it is useful to know the Indoor Ficus Care.
In addition to withstanding low temperatures, the Ficus line up is also able to resist high temperatures. In greenhouses where temperatures exceed 60°C, it has grown incredibly. For example, in Bogotá, this plant develops excellently due to its Eternal Spring. If you live in an area of mild and humid climate, such as the coasts of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Cádiz and Gerona, it is recommended to plant it against a north-facing exterior wall, where it will grow vigorously and cover the entire wall with its small heart-shaped leaves.
Irrigation and humidity
During the growth of the climbing ficus, it is important to maintain the substrate always moist, preventing it from drying out. It is recommended to water it regularly, but avoid waterlogging, which can be harmful to the plant. In winter, however, watering should be reduced, as the plant ceases its activity. In addition, Ficus line up It requires high humidity, so it is advisable to spray its leaves with warm water regularly to keep them healthy. To better understand what watering is appropriate for your ficus, consult the Ficus repens care.
Pruning Ficus pumila
The pruning of the Ficus line up It is crucial to keep the plant in shape and ensure that it does not become invasive. It is essential cut or pinch the tapestries that tend to form on walls and facades. One of the most common problems is that, once it grows vertically, it also increases in volume, which can cause the plant to detach from the wall if left unchecked. Regular pruning is recommended to maintain density and compactness, making it difficult for the plant to detach from the wall. To learn more about pruning, you can read about the Ficus benjamina care.
Tendril marks of the climbing ficus on the wood
Plagues and diseases
One of the advantages of Ficus line up is its resistance to common pests such as mealybugs, red spider mites, and whiteflies. These pests usually attack plants grown in greenhouses, but the Ficus line up has proven to be hardy. However, in low humidity conditions, it can be susceptible to spider mites. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of presence of this plague and it is advisable to spray water on the leaves to maintain humidity and use acaricides if necessary. In addition, you can find out about the Diseases of the Big-Leaved Ficus to have a broader knowledge on the subject.
Tips for growing ficus pumila
How to cover a wall with ficus pumila
The climbing ficus is one of the best climbing plants that can be grown on a facadeTo successfully cover an entire exterior wall, it's advisable to transplant it to a slightly larger container that allows for healthy growth. Once the plant has grown in this container, it can be transplanted outside, preferably after the colder months have passed.
When placing the plant near a wall, make sure it has abundant soil and vertical support. Over time, the Ficus line up It will grow rapidly and cover the entire surface. Its ability to adhere to various surfaces, including concrete and metal, thanks to its suction-cup-like tendrils makes it a versatile and attractive plant. If you peel the tendrils away from the surface, you can see small dots that are the remains of the root.
Where to buy the ficus pumila or climbing ficus
El Ficus line up The climbing ficus is a plant easily found in garden centers and nurseries. Due to its hardiness and ability to create decorative carpets, it arouses great interest among amateur and professional gardeners. Below are some of the online stores and nurseries where you can purchase this plant: El Nou Garden, Begoniasymas, Fronda, CitySEns, JardinerÃa Ourense, Planta con Arte, KasaŽs Decoración, and Segura Garden.
El Ficus line up Not only is it used as an ornamental plant, but it also has interesting characteristics that can be used in gardening. For example, its ability to grow in adverse conditions and its resistance to diseases make it ideal for hard-to-reach areas. Also, if you need more information about the Ficus lyrata care, this link may be useful to you.
Remember that, although this is an easy-to-care-for plant, each species can have its own unique characteristics. Therefore, it's crucial to observe how the plant reacts to its surrounding conditions and adjust care accordingly.
