Ficus Pumila (Creeping Fig/ Climbing Fig)

The sweetest little fig you ever did see, this Ficus Pumlia is small, but mighty! An excellent and energetic climber, perfect for covering retaining walls or as a ground-cover that easily attaches with aerial roots, without requiring trellises or supports. This low-maintenance self-clinging climber can soften the most unsightly walls or fill in the gaps in rockeries. Cultivated on our grounds at Lomalagi.

Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun. Protect from afternoon sun.
Water requirement: Low to moderate. Water regularly to keep soil moist

Watering frequency: Water the roots deeply once a week, and more frequently in summer.
Soil: Well-draining, fertilised, loamy or sandy soil. 
Skill level: Suits Beginner/ Immediate Green thumb, low-maintenance plant. Responds well to regular pruning, which maintains a flat & tidy profile. Prune long branches that protrude and remove dead or damaged branches regularly to encourage healthy growth.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast growing climber
Suitable for container gardens: Yes

Mature Height : 2-4 metres tall
Mature Width: 2-4m

Seasonality: Evergreen

Drought Tolerant: Yes
Frost Tolerant: Yes
Wind Tolerant: 

Leaf colour: Luscious, bright green foliage and bronze-tinged when young 

Leaf shape: Heart-shaped leaves, ovate

Leaf Variegation pattern: A variegated species exists, but is separate to original Ficus Pumlia

Flower Colour: This flower can only be observed from the inside of the fruit, pinkish inflorescence's 

Flower Shape: The trees produce three types of flower; male, a long-styled female and a short-styled female flower, often called the gall flower. All three types of flower are contained within the structure of the fruit or Syconia. The flower is dependent on on a particular wasp pollinator. The pear-shaped fruit is yellowish green to pale red when mature, and measures 4 - 8cm long × 3 - 5cm wide (see picture - Immature fruit opened to reveal flowers; Photograph by: Fagg, M.; Image credit to Australian national Botanic Gardens)
Flower Fragrance: Undetectable to the human nose, however (fun fact!) wasps rely on scent to pollinate and localize their host.
Flower Season: Summer/ Spring