This perennial vine is a popular choice for houseplants.
Creeping fig is perennial in warmer climates and thrives in high humidity.
Keep in mind, creeping fig can be toxic to pets.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Soil
Creeping fig plants can grow in myriad soil types, so long as they’re well-draining.
Typically, you’re able to opt for any store-bought, commercial potting mix.
Water
Keep your plant steadily moist, but don’t allow the roots to sit in water.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The soil should be allowed to dry out before watering again.
Temperature and Humidity
True to its tropical heritage, creeping fig prefers a warm, moist environment.
Major pruning for both indoor potted plants and outdoor plants is best done in spring.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Outdoor plants can develop scorched leaves due to sun-scald.
Lightly “prune” such plants by brushing your hand over the dead leaves to dislodge them.
Propagating Creeping Fig
These plants rarely flower indoors, so collecting seeds for propagation is not practical.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
However, creeping fig is easy to propagate through stem cuttings.
That way, when one plant declines, a new one will be waiting to take its spot.
Any pot material will do, though lightweight plastic is a good choice for hanging plants.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Repot the plant whenever roots are evident growing through the drainage holesthis may be necessary every year.
Overwintering
Feeding should be withheld during the winter months, when the plant enters a semi-dormant stage.
Even indoor potted plants slow their growth during the winter.
Watering should also be somewhat reducedbut not so much that leaves drop.
Creeping fig is not prone to any significant diseases.
The mortar between bricks can be dislodged, for example, loosening bricks.
Even if the vine is successfully removed, unsightly stains from the adhesive discs often remain.
Leaves Are Scorched
Plants growing in exposed outdoor locations can be scorched by drying winter winds.
While this doesn’t really injure the plant, it is unsightly.
Dead leaves can be simply brushed off by hand.
To avoid the problem, plant creeping fig in a protected location.
Leaves Are No Longer Attractive
Creeping fig has two growth phases.
Juvenile plants have smallish leaves that work very well for indoor potted plants.
The best strategy is to propagate new plants through stem cuttings and discard the old plant.
These quick-growing plants usually need annual repotting.
With potted plants, it’s not practical to keep increasing pot size with each annual repotting.
When growing outside, creeping fig can live for many, many decades.
Younger plants have small, delicate leaves and stems that will shape themselves to topiary frames very readily.
Creeping fig even works well for small tabletop topiaries.
North Carolina State Extension.
Climbing Fig.Clemson Cooperative Extension.
