Ficus pumila 'Bellus' - Creeping Fig

The creeping, crawling foliage of this plant catches the eye as it grows across your sideboard, terrarium or windowledge thanks to the distinctive round leaf shape and the bright splotches of white variegation on the edges of the leaves. The leaves grow along vining stems and are round in shape, with a mid-green colour boardered by white variegation. Keep it somewhere with plenty of light but no direct sun, and higher humidity. This is what makes it ideal for a terrarium, but it will also appreciate a bathroom or kitchen environment.

Scientific Name
Ficus pumila 'Bellus' (dwarf fig, cultivar: beautiful)

Synonyms: Plagiostigma pumila

This Ficus has had its current name since 1753 - the year that Linnaean classification began - and despite one paper giving it a different name, it has retained this as the accepted classification.

Common Name
Variegated Creeping Fig, Variegated Climbing Fig

Origin
Native to East Asia, found in China, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam

Light
While this plant can tolerate shady spots, it will do best with brighter indirect light, like that from a north-facing window. If you notice new growth is coming through without the variegation, it is probably not getting enough light.

Water
Water when the top layer (1-2cm) of the soil feels dry. This plant likes to have moist soil, but make sure it isn't sat in completely saturated soil - if it's too soggy, this can rot the roots.

Humidity
This plant likes to be in a moist, humid environment. Ideal for terrariums, but it will also love a bathroom or kitchen.

Soil
Use a loose, well-draining but moisture retentive soil. A mix with added coir, perlite and bark, such as a mix designed for Ficus plants, will work well here. Repot every few years, or when it gets potbound, into a pot just a little bit bigger. This plant prefers to be slightly rootbound.

Food
Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter.

Temperature
Your creeping fig will thrive best at around 20°C. Below 10°C it will stop growing but it can go down to 3°C in winter - though you may lose foliage. To keep it green year-round aim for temperatures between 15-25°C.

Pet-safe
No, this plant's sap can cause skin irritation and it is considered toxic if eaten.

Sprouts Top Tips
If your creeping fig is getting brown, crispy edges, it may be in too dry a spot, or be getting too much sun. Make sure it's out of direct light and is somewhere with moisture in the air. If you notice a loss of variegation, move it to a brighter spot. If you start to rapidly lose older leaves, make sure the soil is not too much like mud! The top of the soil should be dry before you water again.