---
title: "Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila): To Plant or Not to Plant?"
canonical: https://gardensuperstore.com.au/insights/creeping-fig-ficus-pumila-to-plant-or-not-to-plant/
datePublished: 2025-01-21 06:48:11
dateModified: 2026-10-20 23:55:25
author: Dale Parsons
summary: "Creeping Fig: To Plant or Not to Plant? A recent social media post caught my eye: a photo of a beautiful creeping fig (Ficus pumila) climbing a garden wall. The poster asked if they should trim it or let it grow wild. This question reminded me of my own experience with creeping fig — a plant [...]"
type: blog_post
keywords: [garden]
---

# Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila): To Plant or Not to Plant?

> Creeping Fig: To Plant or Not to Plant? A recent social media post caught my eye: a photo of a beautiful creeping fig (Ficus pumila) climbing a garden wall. The poster asked if they should trim it or let it grow wild. This question reminded me of my own experience with creeping fig — a plant [...]

## **Creeping Fig: To Plant or Not to Plant?**

A recent social media post caught my eye: a photo of a beautiful creeping fig (Ficus pumila) climbing a garden wall. The poster asked if they should trim it or let it grow wild. This question reminded me of my own experience with creeping fig, a plant that can transform a garden but comes with its own set of challenges. If you're considering adding this vigorous climber to your space, here's what you need to know.

## What Makes Creeping Fig So Popular?

The creeping fig is admired for its ability to create lush green walls and cover unsightly structures. Its small, heart-shaped juvenile leaves cling tightly to surfaces, forming a dense and uniform covering. It's also incredibly fast-growing, making it a go-to choice for gardeners who want instant impact. From fences to pergolas and even topiary frames, the versatility of creeping fig is hard to deny.

However, what starts as a charming addition to your garden can quickly become a maintenance nightmare if not carefully managed.

## The Dual Nature of Creeping Fig

**The mature stage of Creeping Fig is seen in the foreground, while the juvenile stage can be seen in the background... Yes it's the same vine, even if it doesn't look like it!**

### Juvenile Stage

In its juvenile stage, creeping fig is a gardener's dream. The delicate, small leaves create a neat, attractive appearance. With regular pruning, it stays manageable and maintains its charming look. This is the stage most people envision when planting creeping fig.

### Mature Stage

But left unchecked, creeping fig moves into its mature stage, and it's almost unrecognisable. The leaves grow up to five times larger, and the stems become thick, woody vines over an inch thick. This robust growth can overwhelm its surroundings, turning what was once a picturesque plant into a major landscaping challenge. The botanical description on [PlantNET, the NSW Flora Online](https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ficus~pumila) backs this up: leaves on climbing stems are 1 to 3cm long, while leaves on the spreading fruiting branches reach 4 to 10cm.

Another significant change in the mature stage is the production of fruit. The plant develops small figs, which can add to the mess and maintenance requirements. While the fruits are not typically consumed, they can attract birds and other wildlife, adding another layer of complexity to managing this plant.

**Creeping Fig growing out of control on our palm tree**

Additionally, creeping fig can climb trees, as I've seen with a palm tree in my own garden. It climbed so far up the trunk that trimming it became impossible. The vines began to grow outwardly, creating a messy appearance and tangling with the palm's leaves. This stopped dead leaves from falling naturally to the ground and led to a buildup of debris, adding significantly to the maintenance workload.

## Warnings and Considerations

### Invasive Growth

**Yes, that really is one of the roots we pulled out... It was huge!**

Creeping fig has a prolific root system that can cause significant damage to walls, gutters, and other structures. I learned this the hard way when removing it from a garage wall where it had grown out of control. Some of the vines were over an inch thick, and the roots had spread several feet into the ground. The roots were so thick in places (over three inches wide) that they had compromised a downpipe and made it incredibly difficult to remove without damaging the pipe. Removing it was a back-breaking task, and even after pulling it down, remnants of roots and vines persisted.

It doesn't always stay where it's planted, either. [Plants of South Eastern New South Wales](https://apps.lucidcentral.org/plants_se_nsw/text/entities/ficus_pumila.htm) records it as occasionally escaping gardens and naturalising, mostly around Sydney.

### Maintenance Requirements

Regular trimming is essential to keep creeping fig in its juvenile stage. Without pruning, it quickly matures, becoming unruly and difficult to manage. Its rapid growth can also clog gutters, infiltrate cracks in walls, and create other structural issues. Neglecting maintenance can turn a charming addition into a costly mistake.

### Potential for Regret

**You have no idea how invasive the root system is until you pull it out!**

Once creeping fig has taken hold, removing it is a monumental task. Its vines cling stubbornly to surfaces, and its roots are extensive. The damage it can cause, both above and below ground, often outweighs its aesthetic appeal.

## How to Plant Creeping Fig Without Damaging Your House

To plant creeping fig safely, put it on a wall or fence you're happy for it to own, bury a root barrier between the plant and any footing, path or pipe, and trim it often so it never turns woody. Safest of all, grow it in a pot against a trellis.

These are the three tips I wish I'd followed, plus the option that avoids the problem altogether.

### 1. Choose a wall you don't mind it owning

Creeping fig climbs by small roots that grow out of its stems and grip whatever they touch. That grip is what makes it so hard to remove later, so pick the spot as if it's permanent.

Good spots are a solid masonry garden wall or a fence you'd happily replace one day. Keep it well away from gutters, downpipes, timber, rendered or painted walls, windows and anything you'll need to repair or repaint.

### 2. Contain the roots with a root barrier

A root barrier is a strip of tough, flexible plastic buried on its edge in a narrow trench, between the plant and whatever you want to protect. Roots that reach it can't grow through it, so they stay out of the footing, path or pipe on the other side.

[GrowRite Root Guard Barrier 1000um](/root-guard-barrier-1000um/) is made for exactly this job. According to the GrowRite tech sheet, it's a 1000 micron (1mm thick) high-density polyethylene membrane that's chemically inert and non-degradable, so it won't break down in the ground. It's Australian made and designed to protect paths, pipes and house foundations from root intrusion.

How deep it goes comes down to the width you buy. It's sold by the metre in 600, 900 and 1200mm widths, and the width is the depth the barrier sits in the ground. Choose a width that reaches below the footing or pipe you're protecting, and buy only the length you need.

To put it in:

- Dig a narrow, straight-sided trench between the planting spot and the structure, as deep as your barrier is wide.

- Stand the barrier upright in the trench, with the top edge sitting just above soil level so roots can't creep over the top.

- Backfill and firm the soil on both sides, then plant on the garden side of the barrier.

A root barrier handles what's happening underground. If you're protecting young plants elsewhere in the garden from wildlife and weather, that's a job for a tree guard, and our [guide to choosing the best tree guards](/insights/your-guide-to-choosing-the-best-tree-guards-for-your-property/) covers the options.

### 3. Trim it hard and often to keep it juvenile

The small-leaf juvenile stage is the one you want. Left alone, creeping fig switches to woody adult growth with big leaves, thick stems and fruit, and that's when the trouble starts.

Trim little and often through the warm growing months. Cut back any shoots that start growing out from the wall, and never let it climb out of easy reach. A sharp pair of [hedge shears](/tools-equipment/hedge-shears/) makes quick work of the flat face of the wall.

### 4. Or grow it in a pot against a trellis

This is the safest way to grow creeping fig. In a pot, the roots can't reach a footing or a pipe, and you can stand the pot against a trellis or freestanding screen instead of the house.

Use a proper potting mix, not garden soil, which compacts and holds too much water in a container. Our post on [potting mix vs garden soil vs seed raising mix](/insights/potting-mix-vs-garden-soil-vs-seed-raising-mix/) explains why. [Premium Potting Mix](/premium-potting-mix/) carries about eight months of controlled release fertiliser, plus re-wetting granules and water crystals, so a new pot is fed from day one.

When that feed runs out, top up with [FloraCote Extra controlled release fertiliser](/floracote-extra-controlled-release-fertiliser/), our own brand. It's an 18-3.5-9.5 blend with trace elements that starts releasing two to three weeks after you apply it, and its release isn't thrown off by soil type, pH or moisture. Apply it at the rate on the pack for your pot size. If you're weighing up fertiliser types, [the ultimate guide to choosing the right fertiliser](/insights/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-right-fertiliser-for-your-aussie-home-garden/) walks through them.

**Plant it safely: what you'll need**

- [GrowRite Root Guard Barrier 1000um](/root-guard-barrier-1000um/): keeps creeping fig roots away from footings, paths and pipes. Sold by the metre in 600, 900 and 1200mm widths, so you buy only the length you need.

- [FloraCote Extra controlled release fertiliser](/floracote-extra-controlled-release-fertiliser/): steady feeding for creeping fig grown in a pot, without weekly liquid feeds.

- [Premium Potting Mix](/premium-potting-mix/): the right base for the pot-and-trellis option, with feed built in.

- [Hedge shears](/tools-equipment/hedge-shears/): for the regular trims that keep it in its small-leaf juvenile stage.

## How to Remove Creeping Fig

To remove creeping fig, cut every vine at the base, paint the cut stems with herbicide straight away, then leave the top growth to die and dry before pulling it off the wall. Dig out the larger roots and treat any regrowth. This is the cut and paint method recommended for vines.

Cut and paint (also called cut and swab) means cutting a stem through and wiping herbicide onto the fresh cut. The plant draws the herbicide down into its roots, and because you only touch the cut stem, nothing goes onto your wall or the plants around it.

- **Cut the vines at the base.** Cut through every stem close to the ground with [loppers](/tools-equipment/loppers/), or a saw for the thick woody adult stems. [NSW Government weed control guidance](https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/biosecurity/weeds/control-techniques) for vines is to cut the stems and paint the part still attached to the soil, leaving the upper growth to die in place.

- **Paint the cut stems straight away.** Fill a [100mL Herbicide Dabber Applicator](/100ml-herbicide-dabber-applicator/) with [SureFire Glyphosate 360](/glyphosate-360-herbicide/) (360g/L glyphosate), mixed to the label rate. The [Application Rate Calculator](/application-rate-calculator/) works out the mix for the amount you're making. Paint each stem as soon as you cut it, not after you've cut the lot. [NSW DPI](https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/weed-control/herbicides/control-techniques-using-herbicides) describes this cut and swab method as suited to vines and multi-stemmed shrubs.

- **Pull off the dead growth and dig out the roots.** Leave the top growth on the wall until it has browned off and dried. Dead, dry vine is lighter and less work to handle than live growth. Then pull it down and dig out the larger roots, especially any near pipes or footings. Wear [gloves](/chemicals-plant-protection/safety-ppe/gloves-clothing/) for this and when you mix herbicide.

- **Watch for regrowth and repeat.** Creeping fig can reshoot from roots left in the ground. Check the base every few weeks for a few months and treat any new shoots the same way. [Sunshine Coast Council](https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/environment/invasive-plants-and-animals/invasive-plants/managing-invasive-plants/get-help-to-protect-your-place/invasive-plant-control-options) gives the same advice for invasive vines: cut at the base, then dig out or treat with herbicide.

Always read the label before you use any herbicide, and keep it off plants you want to keep.

**Remove it properly: what you'll need**

- [100mL Herbicide Dabber Applicator](/100ml-herbicide-dabber-applicator/): made for cut and swab work. Its foam head puts herbicide on the cut stem only, with nothing on the wall or nearby plants.

- [SureFire Glyphosate 360](/glyphosate-360-herbicide/): the herbicide that goes in the dabber. Mix to the label rate.

- [Loppers](/tools-equipment/loppers/): for cutting thick adult stems cleanly at the base.

- [Gloves](/chemicals-plant-protection/safety-ppe/gloves-clothing/): for handling cut vines and mixing herbicide.

## To Plant or Not to Plant?

**Just some of the Creeping Fig vine we pulled off our garage wall...**

The creeping fig can be a stunning addition to your garden, but it comes with significant responsibilities. Here's a quick summary to help you decide:

**Pros:**

- Gorgeous, lush greenery when maintained.

- Quick-growing and effective for covering unsightly areas.

**Cons:**

- Requires constant maintenance to prevent overgrowth.

- Invasive root system that can damage structures.

- Difficult to remove once established.

## Creeping Fig FAQs

### Does creeping fig damage walls?

It can. Creeping fig grips walls with small roots that grow from its stems, and pulling it off often lifts paint and render with it. Its stems also push into cracks and gutters. On a solid masonry wall you don't mind marking, the risk is much lower.

### Will creeping fig roots damage foundations or pipes?

They can find their way into weak points. When we removed creeping fig from our garage wall, roots over three inches thick had compromised a downpipe. A root barrier buried between the plant and any footing, path or pipe keeps the roots out of the zone you care about.

### How do I keep creeping fig small and neat?

Trim it little and often through the warm months so it stays in its small-leaf juvenile stage. Cut back shoots growing out from the wall and never let it climb out of reach. Growing it in a pot against a trellis also limits how big it can get.

### How do I kill creeping fig?

Use the cut and paint method. Cut every stem near the ground, then straight away dab glyphosate herbicide, mixed to the label rate, onto the cut. Leave the top growth to die and dry before pulling it off, dig out the larger roots, and treat any regrowth.

### Is creeping fig native to Australia?

No. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is native to Japan and China. According to PlantNET, it's widely grown in Australia as a climber on walls and fences and occasionally escapes gardens to grow wild, mostly around Sydney in NSW. That's one more reason to keep it trimmed and contained.

## Final Thoughts

Creeping fig can be a rewarding plant if you're willing to put in the effort to manage it. However, its rapid growth and invasive nature make it a risky choice for those who prefer low-maintenance gardening. If you're considering planting creeping fig, plan carefully and be prepared to prune regularly.

My experience taught me to think twice before planting creeping fig near any structure. While its initial beauty is undeniable, the effort to keep it under control and the potential damage it can cause are things every gardener should consider.

If you love the look, plant creeping fig with a [root barrier](/root-guard-barrier-1000um/) or in a pot and keep it trimmed. If it's already taken over, remove it properly: cut, paint, wait, then pull.

Have you had experience with creeping fig? Did it transform your garden, or did it turn into a challenge?