---
title: "How to Water a Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)"
description: "Ensure your Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) thrives with proper watering techniques. Learn to check soil moisture, use top, bottom, or bath watering methods, and ensure good drainage."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/watering/ficuspumila"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:34.847Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T10:03:17.496Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/9pcJL3gNTSib0z3lYN07kg.webp?size=large"
---

# How to Water a Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

## How to water

Feel the soil; it should be a bit moist but not wet when watering it again. Squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers, if water seeps out it’s still wet.

**If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.**

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/9pcJL3gNTSib0z3lYN07kg.webp?size=large)

## Water over the soil

1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap
2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes
3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water
4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

> Even if the Weeping Fig likes water it doesn't like or need a swim so make sure that the soil drains properly and that it's planted in a pot with holes.  
> — Planta tip

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/WFGRie6NQda5dy8uRTkgZg.webp?size=large)

## Bottom watering

1. Fill the plant tray with water
2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray
3. Wait for about 10 minutes
4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray
5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray
6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

### Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

## Water bath

1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water
2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water
3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped
4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off
5. Put the plant back in the cachepot or on the tray
6. After 1 hour, check that the plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I know when my Creeping Fig needs water?

Feel the soil; it should be a bit moist but not wet when you water it again. You can squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers, and if water seeps out, it is still wet.

### What are the different ways to water a Ficus pumila?

You can water your Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) by pouring water over the soil, by bottom watering in a tray, or by giving it a full water bath in a bucket.

### Can a Creeping Fig sit in standing water?

No, you should never let your Creeping Fig sit in water collected in a tray or cachepot, as this can lead to overwatering and rot. Ensure all excess water drains away after watering.

### Why should I sometimes water my Ficus pumila from the top if I usually bottom water?

Bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. Therefore, it is important to also water over the soil every now and then to prevent mineral buildup.

### How do I check if the soil of my Creeping Fig is still too wet?

To check if the soil is too wet, squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers. If water seeps out, the soil is still wet and you should wait to water.

## How to water a Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) from the top

1. Feel the soil to ensure it is a bit moist but not wet before watering.
2. Pour water over the soil, using a watering can or by placing the plant directly under a tap.
3. Continue adding water until it starts to run out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
4. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure to remove all the collected water immediately after watering, never letting your plant sit in water.
5. If you watered under a tap, ensure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting the plant back in its spot.

---

_Source: Planta (https://getplanta.com), the plant care app for iOS and Android. Download the app: https://getplanta.com/download_