Botanical Name: Ficus pumila
Family: Moraceae

The Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) is a versatile and fast-growing evergreen vine native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Vietnam. This plant is highly valued for its ability to quickly cover walls, fences, trellises, and other vertical structures with lush, dense foliage. The Creeping Fig features small, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that are vibrant green, although some varieties may have variegated or yellow-tinged foliage. Its creeping habit allows it to cling to surfaces via tiny aerial roots, creating a dense, mat-like coverage.

The plant is known for its rapid growth, often reaching 10 to 20 feet in a single season, depending on the growing conditions. While it produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers, the plant is mostly grown for its decorative foliage. When grown indoors or as a houseplant, it can be trained to grow along a trellis or cascade down from hanging baskets.

Creeping Fig thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is adaptable to a variety of environments, from tropical to temperate climates, and can tolerate a range of moisture levels, though it performs best with regular watering. It is often used as ground cover, on top of walls for green facades, or as a climber in garden landscapes, but can also make a lovely indoor plant when kept in a pot.

This plant is low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and can be pruned easily to control its spread, making it a popular choice for creating natural green walls, privacy screens, or adding texture to garden designs.