Climbing Fig

Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) is the quickest way to turn a bare wall or fence into a sheet of living green. It grips hard surfaces by itself, so there is no trellis and no tying in, and it runs to about 5m high and 4m wide once it has something to climb. Planted a metre apart it closes into even cover in two to three seasons. Settle one thing before you buy: those clinging roots hold on properly, so this is a plant for brick, block, concrete and stone, not for render or paint.

Why you'll love it

• It climbs on its own. Aerial rootlets attach straight to masonry, so a plain block wall needs nothing added before you plant.
• Fast cover, sold by the run. One of the quickest screening plants we stock, and the multi packs make a long fence line affordable.
• It grows where others sulk. Poor compacted soil, salt air, humidity and the reflected heat off a wall are all within its range.

Where it works best

Walls, fences and screening. Plant 1m apart at the base of the structure and about 150mm out from it, so the roots have soil to work with.

Retaining walls and slopes. Runners root as they travel and knit a bank together. Mass plant at 1m centres and let them join up.

Difficult groundcover positions. Dry shade under established trees, narrow side passages and the hot strip beside a driveway, where lawn gives up.

Growing Climbing Fig in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun through to fairly deep shade, which is unusual in a climber this quick. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, but it takes light frost only, so frost prone inland and southern districts want a warm sheltered wall.

Soil. It tolerates poor soil and copes with the thin compacted ground you find along a wall. Drainage still matters, so loosen the hole, work compost through it and mulch 50mm deep, clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer while it attaches, then water only in long dry spells. A light feed of general garden fertiliser in early spring speeds the cover along.

Pruning. Trim in spring and again in late summer to hold the sheet flat and stop older growth thickening into woody stems that stand proud of the wall. Wear gloves, as the milky sap can irritate skin.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in tube, in 140mm packs of ten and in 200mm packs of six. You buy this one by the run, so the packs make sense: ten plants cover roughly 10m of fence at the recommended spacing. Plants arrive young, carrying the small juvenile leaf, and it is normal for them to sit for a few weeks putting down roots before the first runners take hold.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full climber and creeper range
• Compare hedging and screening plants
• Other fast growing plants for quick cover
• Sweet Viburnum for a freestanding screen

Common questions

Will it damage my wall?

On sound brick, block, concrete or stone, no. On render, paint or timber it leaves root marks when it is pulled off, and over years it can work into soft mortar and cladding joints. Choose the surface before you plant.

How far apart should I plant it?

One metre apart along the base of the wall or fence. Planting closer does not close the gap any faster, and it makes watering the young plants harder while they establish.

Does it need a trellis or wires?

Not on a hard surface, where it attaches by itself. On a wire fence, or on timber you would rather it did not grip, run horizontal wires, tie the leaders in and trim the growth back to them.