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3 Frequently Asked Questions About Creeping Fig Fruit

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The quick-pacing Creeping Fig can be one of your wall decorators producing tiny leaves with draping vines and some unusual pear-shaped fruit.

Generally, the Creeping Fig grown outdoors produces tiny, axillary, incomplete flowers after undergoing cross-pollination. Later, it produces around 3 inches long hairy bell-shaped fruit throughout the year, used mainly by Asians to create jello.

But the latex that the Climbing Fig uses to attach with the support can be poisonous to touch. Read the article to learn more about the Creeping Fig and its fruit.

Table of Contents Show
  1. What Does Creeping Fig Fruit Look Like?
  2. Is The Climbing Fig Fruit Edible?
  3. How To Prepare Creeping Fig Fruit Recipe?
  4. From Editorial Team

What Does Creeping Fig Fruit Look Like?

Due to the growth pattern and lifespan as a perennial, the woody vine, Ficus pumila, shows two stages of its life through the leaf color and size.

The first is the early juvenile stage, where the heart-shaped leaves are less than an inch long, while the next is the mature stage, where the leaves become 2-4 inches long, indicating the arrival of bloom time.

As soon as the unisexual flowers appear on the mature vines, you can expect to see pale green, pearlike hairy 3 inches long fruit.
A pear shaped green fruit of creeping fig hanging over the vine
The bell-shaped fruit of the Creeping Fig appears when the foliage gives off leathery dark green leaves.

The fruit can be 2 inches wide, appears green at the raw stage and turns purple when it ripens completely to give dark pink flesh.

Although the vines prefer the fall for growth, you may notice these fruits late in July.

Is The Climbing Fig Fruit Edible?

Many sites have claimed the Creeping Fig fruit and all the other plant parts to be poisonous, but that might be contradictory.

People in Asian countries have been squeezing out the juice from the Climbing Fig fruit to prepare Ai-yu jelly or Grass Jelly, which might be able to clarify that the fruits are edible.

Although the latex on the rootlets and fruit’s cover can initiate skin rashes and gastrointestinal discomfort in some dogs and cats, only a few reported the side effects.

So bring the Creeping vine to bloom and produce fruits that you can use to prepare some delicacies and desserts out of them.

How To Prepare Creeping Fig Fruit Recipe?

Many vine lovers recommend Creeping Fig as an excellent ground, ugly wall, and fence cover that remains evergreen in USDA zone 7-11.

However, the fruits are equally important as the foliage. You can create your recipe using fruit flesh and enclosed seeds.

The most common edible species of Creeping Fig used is Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang, whose fruits are eaten raw.

Squeeze the fruits inside out to collect the seeds, dry them out, and rub them in a cheesecloth over a water bowl to release jelly that you can consume as an iced beverage.

Alternatively, you can blend the seeds with warm water and let them cool down.

Thus you can enjoy jello with sweeteners or lemon juice to refresh your mood, the most preferred snack of Taiwanese people.

From Editorial Team

Extra Tips!

The Creeping Fig is a vigorous grower attaining a length of 40 feet till maturity, given their 1-foot growth each year, which you can control by pruning a year thrice.

Meanwhile, potted Climbing Fig rarely produces fruit, so do not wait in vain. Instead, grow them outdoors from cuttings and enjoy the fruits.

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Muskan is an Agriculture graduate with a keen interest in plants. She is a plant lover and loves to share her knowledge to the best of her abilities. She has worked for the welfare of plants since she was ten years old, has grown more than 50 houseplants inside her home, and loves to share her experience.

Expertise: Plant Enthusiast Agriculture Graduate

Highlights

  • Agriculture graduate with a strong academic foundation in plant sciences.
  • A true plant lover and enthusiast, dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience.
  • Proactive advocate for plant welfare, with a history of nurturing over 50 houseplants and actively contributing to the field since a young age.

Experience

Holds a degree in Agriculture, providing a solid academic background in plant sciences. An ardent plant enthusiast with a personal collection of over 50 houseplants, showcasing practical knowledge and experience. Passionate about sharing her expertise through engaging and informative content, making her an asset to the PlantsCraze team.

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