Climbing figs are naturally very easy to care for and undemanding indoor plants that can even be kept outside in summer under the right conditions. But be careful: in winter the plant belongs inside.
Meter-long tendrils make the climbing fig (Ficus pumila) an eye-catcher in the living room or in the conservatory. The tropical plant, which is related to the rubber tree, not only smolders on trellises, the climbing fig is also versatile and easy to care for in hanging baskets or as ground cover.
If you follow a few care instructions, the climbing fig proves to be a grateful and easy-care houseplant. The plant also proves to be flexible and unproblematic during the winter.
Climbing figs can be overwintered so flexibly
In general, the climbing fig can stay warm all year round. This means that no changes need to be made during the winter months. The plant remains at the flower window and is further cultivated at room temperature.
It is also possible to overwinter the plants in a bright and cool room at around five to ten degrees.
» Tip: Variegated climbing figs should not be colder than ten degrees in winter.
The plants adapt to their respective location during the cold season. Cultivated all year round at room temperature, the plant does not take a winter break and continues to grow unabated. If overwintered cool, growth will stop.
This natural behavior of the plants has an impact on the care of the climbing fig:
| Care | Climbing fig at room temperature | Climbing fig overwintering |
|---|---|---|
| Watering and fertilizing | If the plant is overwintered at room temperature, the care habits will not change. The climbing figs are watered as usual and can receive fertilizer about every two months. | In cool winter quarters, growth slows down significantly. During the hibernation, the climbing fig requires significantly less watering. The floorbut should not dry out completely. In a cool hibernation is not fertilized. |
Climbing figs in summer quarters
The climbing fig can also be cultivated outdoors in summer. The plants are particularly decorative in pots on the balcony or terrace. A bright and warm location is chosen, if possible without direct sunlight. At the latest when the temperatures drop below ten degrees at night, it is time for the tropical plant to be brought indoors. The plant can then immediately move to the cool winter quarters. If the climbing figs are to be given a place at the warm flower window in the living room during the cold season, the climbing figs should first be gradually accustomed to the temperature change.
Avoid maintenance mistakes in winter quarters
Hibernation also means stress for the plant. Even if climbing figs are overwintered at room temperature, there are some dangers that can weaken and damage the vine.
In winter, climbing figs are confronted with different circumstances:
- dry heating air
- humidity too low
- too warm location
- location too cold
- Soil too dry
- Floor too wet
What should be considered when overwintering at room temperature?
Even if the location of the plant is not changed directly, a lot changes for the climbing fig in winter. The plants have to cope with dry heating air. If a stand is not found immediately next to the heater, this would be beneficial for the plants. Furthermore, a consistently high level of humidity should be ensured. The plants should therefore be sprayed more often. The root ball should be kept evenly moist. The soil must not dry out, but there must also be no waterlogging in the winter quarters. Since the plant continues to grow unabated, climbing figs can also be fertilized in winter. Applying liquid fertilizer in low concentrations at intervals of four to eight weeks is sufficient.
Overwintering at room temperature in keywords:
- Avoid standing directly above the heater
- Spray the plant regularly
- water evenly
- fertilize every now and then
What to avoid?
- dry heating air
- overheated rooms
- humidity too low
- Temperature fluctuations
- Draft
What about thecool hibernation?
The temperature fluctuation initially means stress for the plant. Therefore, getting used to the winter quarters should be done gradually. In cool temperatures, the plants stop growing and go into a kind of hibernation. As a result, fewer nutrients are needed. However, watering must not be omitted completely, as the root ball must not dry out. However, the top layer of soil is allowed to dry out. It is best to do a finger test before giving water. Fertilization is not necessary when wintering in the cool. The temperatures should also be constant in the winter quarters and should never fall close to freezing point. Temperatures around eight degrees are ideal. The location should be light but not in full sun, because the winter sun can also damage the plant and burn the leaves.
Wintering in the cold in keywords:
- Temperatures between five and ten degrees
- Water significantly less
- do not fertilize
What to avoid?
- Temperatures below five degrees
- direct winter sun
- Draft
- Apply Fertilizer
- watering too intensively
What maintenance mistakes can occur in winter quarters?
If the watering behavior is not adjusted during the cool hibernation, waterlogging can quickly occur. If the irrigation water cannot drain off, this attacks the roots and they quickly begin to rot. If you react quickly, you may be able to save the plant by transplanting it and adjusting the watering behavior.
If you water too little, the result will be dry bulbs. When this happens, the leaves will wither and dry up and eventually fall off. The leaves show whether the climbing fig is happy with its winter quarters. If the leaves are discolored or dry up, it is usually due to insufficient watering or the climbing fig does not have the necessary humidity.
» Tip: Variegated species prefer warmer winter quarters. At temperatures below ten degrees, the leaf markings lose their intensity and turn green.