Creeping fig (climbing fig) Ficus pumila
Creeping fig (climbing fig) (Ficus pumila) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Moraceae family, native to East Asia: southern China, Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. It grows 2–12 m (6.6–39 ft) tall and 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Creeping fig (climbing fig) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Creeping fig (climbing fig) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae |
| Mature height | 2–12 m (6.6–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | East Asia: southern China, Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain |
Is Creeping fig (climbing fig) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: milky sap, leaves
The milky sap irritates skin and the gut and can cause a rash in sunlight; ficus latex is also a known indoor allergen.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Creeping fig (climbing fig)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Creeping fig (climbing fig)
- How far apart should I plant Creeping fig (climbing fig)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft).
- Does Creeping fig (climbing fig) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Creeping fig (climbing fig) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Creeping fig (climbing fig)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- Is Creeping fig (climbing fig) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The milky sap irritates skin and the gut and can cause a rash in sunlight; ficus latex is also a known indoor allergen.
- What grows well with Creeping fig (climbing fig)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Creeping fig (climbing fig). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Young shoots cling flat to walls with tiny heart-shaped leaves, covering them like green lace; old plants grow out into bushy branches with large leaves and fig-like fruit. Very hard to remove once established. A variety from Taiwan (var. awkeotsang) gives the seeds for aiyu jelly.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common fig Ficus carica
- White mulberry Morus alba
- Rubber fig Ficus elastica
- Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpa
- Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
- Sacred fig (peepal, bodhi tree) Ficus religiosa
- Indian banyan Ficus benghalensis
- Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus