Ficus pumila – Hardy Climbing Fig for NZ Gardens

What are the garden uses for Ficus pumila in NZ?

Ficus pumila is a common plant across many NZ gardens. It is most commonly grown on fences and walls where it grows low and tight to cover the structure in a few short years. The red-orange and green foliage is not only small and elegant, but is highly aesthetic also. It is a great option for hiding a brick or block wall or an unsightly fence. Moreover, landscape designers will often create walls in modern and pool gardens for Ficus pumila to grow on, thus providing both height and lush texture to a space. It is the hardy nature and gorgeous foliage of this plant that makes Ficus pumila an excellent choice for a NZ garden.

Ficus pumila Plant Spacing For A Wall

When a Ficus pumila plant is being used to cover a wall, the ideal plant spacing is 1 m apart. If the budget is tight you can go to 1.5-2 m between plants but this means it may take an additional year for the coverage to occur. Conversely, if fast coverage is desired, the Ficus pumila plants can be spaced 75 cm apart.

How to grow the Creeping Fig Ficus pumila

Ficus pumila, commonly known as the Creeping Fig, grows best when positioned in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained soil. It is tolerant of frost, cool climates, coastal environments, humid climates, and wind. Once the plant becomes established it is largely drought tolerant. It does not need a lot of attention aside from trimming to keep it contained as necessary. The plants will benefit from a fertiliser application in spring and The Plant Company’s shrub fertiliser is the best option here.

Where Can I Buy Ficus pumila

The Plant Company has the best Ficus pumila plants to buy in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your Ficus pumila needs and impress you with both our products and service!

What is the growth rate of Ficus pumila?

Young Ficus pumila plants tend to put on about 30-60 cm of growth in the first year as they get established. From year two they will generally grow 80-120 cm per year and begin to fill in the areas of wall between their stems. Given the rapid growth rate, they are often trimmed in summer to keep them contained as required.

What is the common name for Ficus pumila?

The common names for Ficus pumila are Creeping Fig and Climbing Fig. These refer to the fact that the plant is related to Fig tree and the growth habit, which is climbing or creeping by nature.