Ficus pumila Creeping Fig

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

An award-winning evergreen vine, Ficus pumila, also called creeping fig, is celebrated for its ornamental appeal. While it doesn't showcase traditional flowers, its rich-green, heart-shaped leaves and occasional small pear-shaped purple fruit, which may appear throughout the year, make it a visually stunning plant.

Ficus pumila is a vigorous grower, quickly scaling walls, trellises, fences, and other supports with its adhesive aerial roots. It's a versatile plant that can be grown as an annual ground cover, a standalone specimen, or a foundation plant. It's also perfect for container gardening, both indoors and outdoors. When planted in the ground, it can reach a height of 10 to 15 feet, but it can be easily pruned to maintain your desired shape and size. In a container, it remains significantly smaller, especially with regular pruning.

Creeping fig is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives in dappled sun to partially shady locations. It prefers high humidity and humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. However, it's also resilient enough to tolerate full sun and drought conditions once established. Plus, it's deer resistant, making it a great choice for gardens in areas with wildlife.