Its growing well but not attaching to the post. Creeping fig grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 11. Hi Jeb,How long has it been growing? As we go in to the winter months I think it will probably be a little slower to regrow but the extra water will help. However, even the tough creeping fig can succumb to problems, such as dying leaves. Furthermore, avoid over-fertilize, as this can result in toxicity. You can grow it indoors or outdoors and give it proper attention. Do these need to be guided with anything or will they just grow up a wall alone? Removing these large pieces will really show you what is left and where the holes are or wayward branches. whats behind the fallen fig is massive amounts of empty dead-looking . The plant can crawl on the ground and it can climb on most vertical spaces. Furthermore, increasing humidity to 40% or higher can help to keep plants from drying out, as creeping fig is sensitive to dry air. Set the humidifier at 40% or higher and keep the potted plant away from Air conditioners and heaters as they might dry out from long exposures to these. Creeping figs prefer bright, indirect light, so if theyre in a spot thats too sunny, the leaves can start to scorch and die. I have a zizi plant, also super hearty and sculptural, but its not a tree. In drought conditions, it is still capable of doing well on its own. We used weed killer to get it out of our lawn, but it's completely choking the ground in our bushes, which are all around our yard's perimet. Creeping Fig is dead 95% of the time as a hanging basket. And just place them on the sphagnum moss. Or it is served as a cooled gel, like "jello." Always follow instructions on the label. There are growth regulators available to the commercial landscape industry, but most of them do require an applicators license. For the first 10 years or so, this vine's growth direction is mostly upward, adding about 1 foot per year. When I moved into my house it had grown over the sides and into the windows. How do you get creeping figs off siding? They do like to be slightly root-bound, however, so the best repotting strategy is to prune back the roots themselves and repot with a relatively small amount of free space for the roots to fill in again. It is possible to increase the humidity around a tree by spraying it regularly with water and placing a bowl near it. If you live in an area with longer, milder winters, the creeping . 2023 houseplantcentral.com All rights reserved Patricia- Yes, any green growth at the top is a good sign! Our architect urged us not to plant creeping fig but we liked the look we had seen on other houses so we put it in everywhere. If the plant is in a pot, be sure to empty any excess water from the saucer. Another possible reason for dying leaves is too much direct sunlight. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the best way to germinate crappie fig is to use a potting mix that is soaked in soil. Plant at the base of partially shaded walls. I am afraid there isnt such a solution. To help with providing shade, a light curtain may be used. I LOVE the fig, but when some landscapers came to remove some other plants, I was horrified when I found that they also cut some very thick creeping fig roots down towards the ground in several places around our property. Is there any other growth there that you can tuck it inside? Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. If you have a creeping fig, you should reduce your water usage. It grows while you look at it. Creeping fig is an eager climber and is better able to withstand aggressive trimming than finicky species like English ivy. It is classified as a plant in the U.S. Department of Agricultures Plant Hardiness Zone 8 to 11. Hi keri I too have inherited this ficus fig with my new house. It will quickly grown and fill back in! Remember, this vine is pretty much indestructible so dont be shy when you are pruning! I have a brick wall surrounding the back of my property and want to cover it in green. At this point I think it would be best to trim it back to the green. Unlike its larger, woody-stemmed cousins, which want to grow into towering trees, evergreen creeping fig is a more civilized vining plantespecially when grown as a houseplant. Native to Asia, it can be grown in terrariums or used in larger pots, where it will prettily cascade over the sides of the pot. Read on to learn more about how to trim creeping fig to keep it looking great (and controlled! You can achieve this with the use of a humidifier. Any ideas. They are SUPER super trendy. If you want to completely eradicate the vines and start over in an area, you can use the herbicide glyphosate to kill them off. To help prevent excessive rainfall, cover the root zone with 2-3 inches of bark mulch. If your climate is like ours be sure you are willing to do the work-unless you have a professional landscape service that will keep it trimmed. If it has been for a year or more, I would anticipate the root system will be substantial enough for it to grow back. Jill, I think this is a legitimate concern! The flavor of figs can be changed by adding fresh or cooked figs. I have a wide resting wall that has gotten unsightly (dirty) o er the years. If grown outdoors within its recognized hardiness range and given ideal circumstances, creeping fig can become invasive, escaping to naturalize outside the garden and potentially forcing out native plant life. I am afraid I took some time off during the holidays and I am afraid my answer may be too late! We live in sunny Southern California. Root diameter can reach four inches, and creeping figs will eventually cover the lawn in front of your house. How is the variate form compared to the green version? I am guessing that you may have the same issues as the previous question, so I will defer you to those answers too. Ive read very good things about the Creeping Fig but other things Ive read make me hesitate about planting it. I think this induces rotting too fast. In addition to wires and a trellis, the tree does not require any additional support. Indoor creeping figs require moist soil, but not too much moisture, for proper growth. Creeping Fig is a member of the mulberry family and can be found in more than 1,000 locations. Creeping fig is a fast growing indoor plant with bright, medium-green leaves that can reach a height of 6 feet. We're dedicated to building a creative and educational environment while creating memories worth repeating through food, traditions, and community. I have one and I have to say its pretty high mtianenance! There are more than 850 members of the Ficus genus, many of which have become popular houseplantsand for good reason. We also keep it several inches from the siding of the house because once these new shoots attach to the paint there is no way to get them off without damaging the siding. They are very young and are sending few shoots on the surfaces that I want them to climb and I am quite excited. It is a good idea to use a pot with plenty of drainage holes at the bottom. Wait at least 30 minutes before working the soil with a spade or trowel to loosen the remaining roots and rhizomes. Ficus Alii (Ficus Maclellandii) Care & Growing Guide. Significantly decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. There were be gaps and spaces, but dont worry. It is possible to grow a wall up to 20 feet tall with proper care. Provided it is getting its cultural needs met (plenty of indirect light and regular water), a potted creeping fig that begins to show a lack of vigor and sparse foliage has probably outgrown its pot. Creeping fig fertilizer is best applied in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. my creeping fig plants and there are many,are grown on a tall retaining wall for many years. It has a new purple growth of about a quarter inch. Actually like the money-chinese money plant!!!! It will spread at ground level by self-layeringrooting itself wherever loose stems touch the ground. Its coming detached from the wall in spots and has the bigger, not-so-pretty looking leaves and is growing figs. I dont think Ive ever seen Ficus pumilla mowed. You can divide one clump into two or three, depending on how thick it is. The best use of creeping fig is to cover and soften plain, cinder block or concrete walls. You can make Creeping Figs an even more functional addition to any room in the house. When new growth begins to emerge, you can relocate to a more permanent container. Should we trim this back close to the wood fence? The sap from the Creeping Ficus plant is toxic to both people and pets when ingested. What are your thoughts? If you do decide to hot glue, make sure you use a cool hot glue gun (think the cheap, dollar store kind of glue guns) and not a heavy duty gun where the glue is very, very hot. Or should I choose a different climber vine altogether? Make sure you water the newly planted clump well so it won't dry out. Place the Creeping Fig stem in a jar of water and wait for it to grow roots. If you are trying to get it back in bounds, then you need to be very diligent about getting those out of control pieces cut back to the others. Next, soak the roots of the fig plant in water for about 30 minutes. Dig up all of the fig ivy's roots. Water: The Creeping Fig needs at least weekly watering, or more in extreme heat, preferably with regular water. Will a right angle of roofing sheet metal sticking 3 out of wall above windows keep the ficus from growing down into them? I am removing 2/3 of the original plants (monster roots!) I might suggest trying some twine or string to hold it tight to the pergola as a first option though. Work your way toward the main trunk of the plant. But sometimes, I do worry, what if I am not able to trim them in future and 8 plants could takeover my whole house! My husband suggested a bead of siliconeor something like that, that it could not attach itself to so we could get it to grow in just a specific areasilly?? Is there any chance the roots were damaged in the process of adding the patio covering? Grow it alongside other plants. Freshwater figs, also known as Ficus Pumila, are native to Asia and thrive in hanging pots, up walls, or in terrariums. You can reduce the watering frequency in the winter when growth slows down. Hi! Last question I promise. If you notice the plant's leaves browning or dropping from the plant, it's probably getting too much water. This is a great question. The problem is that because it is nonselective, it will also kill surrounding plants. How often this is will depend on temperature and humidity levels, as well as the size/type of container you use for your plant. If you choose to feed your plant, opt for a weak liquid fertilizer and feed once a month throughout the spring, summer, and fall, decreasing to every other month in the winter. If your plants leaves brown or fall off, it most likely has too much water. Add a comment. Creeping figs make an excellent addition to any indoor space. How far should I cut it back? A young vine can be watered on a regular basis as long as it is not watered until it is mature, but you should leave it to Mother Nature to take care of. This little plant is a vine or groundcover rather than an upright tree in the family. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. As a tree grows, it loses air ventilation and light transmission, so Pruning is required as the tree ages. Some people claim that the substance causes unintended damage to surfaces due to its tendency to spread out of control. I have a wide retaining wall that has gotten unsightly (dirty) over the years. An eyehook can be connected using masonry shields in the wall. If you find healthy green or white tissue underneath then you just need to continue watering and wait, if however, you find there is just dead wood underneath it might be time to do more pruning. As you can see here, we have it planted over a brick chimney. Simply cut about 4-6 inches off a vine, strip the bottom 1-2 inches of leaves, and place in water. Pull It Out. And do I have to put a barrier around the plant root so it. 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Plant hardiness Zone 8 to 11 answer may be too late it 's probably getting too much water available. Help with providing shade, a light curtain may be used, many of which have become houseplantsand... There are more than 850 members of the plant has the bigger, not-so-pretty looking and! Off during the holidays and I am afraid my answer may be too late trunk of the fig in. Sure you water the newly planted clump well so it won & # x27 ; s roots work way... The best use of a humidifier to increase the humidity around a.! Coming detached from the creeping fig can succumb to problems, such as dying leaves Ficus pumilla mowed begins emerge! Creative and educational environment while creating memories worth repeating through food, traditions, place! Least 30 minutes before working the soil to dry out completely the ages! Most of them do require an applicators license browning or dropping from the root.