How Can I Make Ficus Pumila Grow Faster?

Does Ficus Pumila need a trellis?

Ficus Pumila (Creeping fig), a lovely climber with tiny, heart-shaped leaves, may conceal ugly cement, stucco, or brick buildings. It does not require wires or a trellis since it climbs via aerial roots. It should not be used on wood walls, as its sticky tendrils might harm them.

Ficus Pumila is normally trained up walls to create a bonsai. To achieve this, the plant must be pruned in early spring. If you want to train it along a wall, use an old bamboo stick or similar object that is long enough for the root zone of the climbing vine to be stable there.

Make sure that the sticks supporting the aerial roots are not very long and that there is plenty of room for roots between them and the wall. Most of the aerial roots will be found on the lower part of the stem.

Therefore, you have to allow sufficient space between the sticks and the wall. The distance between supports should be about one and a half times the length of the aerial root zone.

This is a slow growing plant and will take at least 6 months after planting in order to form its full root system that it can use over many years. Ficus Pumila is quite drought-resistant and it prefers organic, well-drained soil with an acidic pH.

It tolerates dry, sunny conditions, but does not tolerate wet or cold soil. Ficus Pumila can also be grown outdoors in pots. In this case, it is necessary to provide adequate drainage and shelter. It will require a permanent drinking source such as water or a drip system.

How can I make Ficus Pumila grow faster?

Ficus Pumila, (Creeping Fig) is a slow-growing, hard-pruning vine that is a popular choice among growers looking for an easy-care vine. It can grow indoors on the walls, but this may be limited by the amount of room needed and the height required to reach other areas.

However, if you don’t mind pruning it often, this plant makes a great indoor display with its small leaves and interesting shape. This is one of the few plants that can grow inside year-round.

It has a shallow root system that allows it to cover large areas and climb high up walls. The vine may have to be supported with bamboo or wooden stakes, although it does tend to attach itself well to smooth surfaces.

If you do not plan to grow Ficus Pumila vertically, consider planting it at the base of a tree, as it will cover that area and give more privacy from passersby on the street.

Plant at the foundation of partially shaded walls. While planting, some gardeners bend their creeping fig plants such that the stems are prostrate on the ground, because roots will sprout wherever the stems touch the ground, allowing plants to establish more rapidly.

Ficus Pumila will grow vigorously in cooler temperatures, but is generally more vigorous when it receives more sunlight. Water moderately during this period, for example every 2 weeks. Allow the plant to dry between watering.

Ficus Pumila (Creeping Fig) should be cut back once a year in early spring before it starts to flower, so that the gardener can prune away branches and leaves that are not growing well or are dead. Prune either in late winter or early spring to avoid damaging new growth.

Why is Ficus Pumila not flowering?

The twisting tendrils of the plant can be bound together with string or rubber bands to form a vine that can be used in the home as a decoration. The following are reasons why Ficus Pumila not flowering;

Lack of light: 

For Ficus Pumila to flower, it needs 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. It should not be placed in a room that is completely dark as this may cause the plant to drop its leaves.

Transplanting:

If you have recently transplanted your Ficus Pumila, it may need time to recover before producing flowers. Plants that have just been transplanted tend to drop their leaves and this can last up to 3 months.

Inadequate nutrients:

Ficus Pumila will not flower if the nutrients in the soil are not at the proper levels. You need to fertilize the plant with a slow-release fertilizer or a water soluble fertilizer every 5 weeks or so.

If you want your Ficus Pumila to flowers, be sure to water it regularly and keep it warm, sunny and well-watered. The plant should grow more rapidly and you may notice some blooming.

Improper pruning:

Ficus Pumila has tendrils that can be used to train it to grow over a trellis or other structure. Ficus Pumila will grow less vigorously if left in the pot for extended periods of time. This can cause it to produce fewer flower buds and not flower normally.

When you are pruning your Ficus Pumila, do so when it is dormant in the fall and take special care when cutting away old stems as these are needed for growth later on.

Improper misting:

Mist Ficus Pumila every day to keep it moist and it may not flower. You need to water the plant correctly by putting a slow drip at the base of the plant and making sure that it is properly watered. Ficus Pumila hates being over-watered as it will drop its leaves and eventually die if you over-water.

How much water does Ficus Pumila need?

Ficus Pumila can tolerate a wide range of indoor temperatures but needs normal levels of light, warmth and humidity to thrive. Ficus Pumila prefers to be kept at humidity levels above 60%, so don’t let it dry out.

Water it until water flows through the bottom of the pot and don’t keep it constantly wet. Watering should be done in the morning to allow the leaves dry out before nightfall as this can cause fungus or other problems.

Ficus Pumila should be fed about once a month with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at 1/4 of normal strength. Avoid monthly applications of fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium as these elements will promote excessive vegetative growth that can lead to a condition called ‘nutrient burn’, which appears as yellowing leaves with brown tips.

You should not let your Ficus Pumila sit in water or it will die. If you have over watered your plant, let the excess water drain through the drainage holes of the pot and keep the base of the plant moist but not wet.

How close to wall should I plant Ficus Pumila?

Only one Ficus Pumila plant is required for indoor pots or a small outdoor garden. This quick-growing vine needs at least 10 feet of vertical clearance and 3 feet of horizontal room.

Indoors, the plant is typically grown on a trellis to embellish a side wall in a living room or corridor. Ficus Pumila will grow easily from a hanging basket and is also used in bonsai tree displays.

Ficus Pumila can reach up to 15 feet tall, so you need to prepare your outdoor garden accordingly. The plant will trail down towards the ground, so it must have at least 3 feet of vertical clearance.

You need an ample horizontal surface to plant your Ficus Pumila in the yard or along a wall outdoors. Growing in a container is recommended as the plant is just as quick to grow outdoors.

Is Ficus pumila poisonous?

Contact with the milky sap of Ficus pumila, like other plant species in the Moraceae family, can produce phytophotodermatitis, a potentially fatal skin irritation. Although not harmful in and of itself, F. pumila is classified in the FDA Database of Poisonous Plants.

Ficus Pumila are also reported as a common cause of phytophotodermatitis in Japan. Ficus Pumila should be washed carefully with soap and water before handling or eating to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

Blue stained tooth syndrome is a major concern for Ficus Pumila cultivators. It is a rare but potentially lethal condition. In rare instances, the contact of decaying leaves or flowers from Ficus Pumila with the roots, trunk or fruit of other Moraceae plants can cause this phenomenon to occur.

Blue stained tooth syndrome causes leaves and fruit to stain blue, resulting in a lack of photosynthesis and chlorophyll production.

Are Ficus Pumila toxic to dogs?

The Ficus Pumila plant produces ficin, a hazardous sap-like material that is harmful when swallowed or comes into contact with the skin, eyes, or mouth of dogs. Vet costs may quickly add up. Ficus Pumila is reported as common cause of phytophotodermatitis in Japan.

Ficus Pumila should be washed carefully with soap and water before handling or eating to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Ficus Pumila contains toxic amounts of ficin and can cause blue stained tooth syndrome, a rare but potentially lethal skin irritation.

Ficus Pumila is also reported as a common cause of phytophotodermatitis in Japan.

A woolly vine, which has the ability to wrap itself around trees and other objects, will grow rapidly if left to its own devices outdoors. Close supervision is necessary when growing Ficus Pumila indoors as it may wrap itself around the pot or trellis. The symptoms of Ficus Pumila poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, and tachycardia.

How big will a Ficus Pumila get?

The Ficus Pumila can grow up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The plant is naturally a vine and will trellis itself if left alone. If it falls over or climbs too high you can simply cut the tendrils off or train them to grow over the trellis instead of the wall.

No two vine stems are alike, although the leaf shape will be similar in all Ficus Pumila. The size of the plant is dependent on the amount of light and warmth it receives.

Ficus Pumila thrives in bright sunlight and warm temperatures, so when you cut it back (in winter) make sure to let the plant go through a dormant period in order to start the growth process over again.

One of the more striking features of Ficus Pumila, is its bark which wrinkles up at the base and splits from top to bottom. The bark has a smooth texture and feels slightly slippery when touched. The hardiness zone for Ficus Pumila is hardy to -10° C.

Does Ficus Pumila like to be misted?

A ficus pumila (creeping fig) enjoys dampness, yet soaking the leaves attracts Mealy Bugs. Learn how to recognize and handle Mealy Bugs, a type of houseplant pest that leaves a sticky, white, cottony residue on plants. Ficus Pumila will benefit from a thorough spray of water.

Mealy bugs have been growing in popularity recently as houseplants are becoming more prevalent in the home and because they are quite attractive to look at.

They are usually found inside the houseplant, but may occasionally be found outside of the plant as well. In general, most cases of mealy bug infestation as houseplants is caused by poor hygiene, more specifically inadequate cleaning of watering can and foliage.

Misting will require you to spray your plant generously several times a day. You may want to learn how to water without a sprayer.

Ficus pumila (Creeping fig) are one of the best plants for indoor hobbyists, but they do require some care. Learn more about growing creeping fig in your home or office.

The ficus pumila is a relatively easy plant to grow and propagate as long as you provide it with the basic requirements of light, warmth, water and air circulation.