Terrarium Creations
Plant Library

Creeping Fig

Ficus pumila

Family: Moraceae

Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Difficulty
Easy
Light
Bright, indirect
Water
Evenly moist
Humidity
Medium–High
Size
Climbing vine
Closed terrarium
Excellent

Creeping Fig is a vigorous small-leaved climber that will cling to and cloak glass, wood and stone, giving a terrarium an instant established, jungle-clad look.

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Light

Bright, indirect light keeps growth compact and leaves small. In low light it stretches and the internodes lengthen.

Water & humidity

Keep the substrate evenly moist. It's forgiving of brief dryness but prefers not to dry out fully.

In the terrarium

Excellent in closed terrariums, where it climbs the background and softens hardscape. It grows fast, pinch and trim regularly, or it will quickly take over and blanket other plants.

Tip: Direct new growth against a piece of cork bark or the back glass and it will attach and climb on its own.

Propagation

Snip a stem section that includes at least one node and press it into moist substrate; the tiny aerial rootlets along the stem help it anchor and root quickly. Cuttings taken from actively growing tips establish fastest.

Common problems

  • Large, widely-spaced leaves = not enough light; move brighter.
  • Crispy leaf edges = air too dry (in an open setup); raise humidity.

Good companions

Creeping Fig pairs well with plants that want the same conditions, a humid, closed terrarium with bright, indirect light. Here are some species that thrive alongside it:

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Frequently asked questions

Does Creeping Fig climb glass?

Yes, it produces tiny rootlets that grip smooth surfaces, so it will climb the terrarium glass and hardscape.

Is Creeping Fig fast-growing in a terrarium?

Very. Expect to trim it every few weeks to keep it from overwhelming smaller plants.

Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.