Creeping Fig
Facts about the Creeping Fig
A very pretty climbing vine that few people are aware of as a houseplant is the creeping fig. A native plant in Asia, this fig plant is generally known as an outdoor climber, but can easily be adapted to an indoor plant.
Diminutive leaves grow in a heart shape on the creeping fig, giving it a delicate appearance. This plant is anything but delicate! A very hardy nature emerges as the vine grows, transforming from a weak stem to a woody stem. Big surprises come in small packages, and the outdoor creeping fig will prove that point as it climbs to over 60 feet.
As an outdoor climber, the creeping fig can do quite well in Zones 8 through 11 planted in soil with good drainage. It enjoys moist conditions in the soil, but not soggy. A versatile plant, the fig can be successfully grown in either full sun or part shade. Planting the fig next to an unattractive wall or using it to dress up a rather plain looking fence will provide support and beauty to an area easily. It is easy to underestimate the full extent of the powers of the creeping fig. Resist the urge to plant several cuttings of the plant near the structure that you would like to disguise. A single stem will take 2 or 3 years to fully cover the side of a large building, and much less for a wall or fence in a backyard.
Over time, as the creeping fig matures, the plant takes on a more sturdy appearance; stems become thicker, and the tiny heart shaped leaves become 2 to 4 inches wide with a heavier and hairier texture. The fig sprouts aerial roots that enable the extending vines to catch hold of the structure they are covering. Flowers will appear; white blooms with a noticeable yellow circle extending onto over half of the five petals along with a pale green center. Fruit that is pear shaped may also appear.
For those who live in cooler climates where a creeping fig would be unable to survive outside, there is the option of growing it as a houseplant. Instead of climbing, the vines will cascade downwards in a trailing fashion. The leaves on the fig as a houseplant will remain the small, heart shaped foliage originally seen on an immature plant. Flowers and fruit are not likely to develop on houseplants. A site receiving indirect sunlight is best for the creeping fig displayed in a hanging planter.
Creeping fig plants can provide a great means of privacy when planted as a natural screen or dressing up an unsightly wall, fence or tree trunk in your yard, but can also be a great and showy houseplant within a home.