🌿 Terrarium Care Sheet
Ficus pumila ‘Quercifolia’ (Oak Leaf Creeping Fig)Common name: Oak Leaf Creeping Fig
Growth habit: Miniature creeping / clinging vine
Terrarium use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (one of the best ficus choices)
🌞 Light
Bright, indirect light is ideal
Tolerates medium light, but growth slows
❌ Avoid harsh direct sun (leaf scorch happens fast in glass)
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal: 18–28 °C
Short dips to 15 °C are tolerated, but growth stalls
❌ Cold drafts = leaf drop
💧 Humidity
High humidity (70–95%) preferred
Thrives in closed or semi-closed terrariums
In open terrariums, mist regularly
💦 Watering
Keep substrate evenly moist, never waterlogged
Likes consistent moisture, hates drying out
❌ Standing water around roots = rot
🌱 Substrate
Airy, well-draining mix works best
Coco peat / fine bark / perlite / leaf litter
Loves climbing backgrounds, cork, wood & rock
✂️ Pruning & Control
Very easy to prune
Trim runners regularly to keep scale correct
Responds well to shaping
🌿 Feeding
Light feeder
¼ strength balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks
❌ Overfeeding causes large, ugly leaves
🐜 Pests & Problems
Rare in terrariums
Watch for spider mites in dry, open setups
Yellowing leaves = usually overwatering or low light
✅ Why It’s a Terrarium Star
✔ Tiny oak-shaped leaves
✔ Naturally slow, compact growth
✔ Excellent clinger for vertical builds
✔ Doesn’t overpower mosses or orchids
🔍 Comparison: Ficus pumila Forms
| Feature | Ficus pumila (Normal) | Ficus pumila Variegated | Ficus pumila ‘Quercifolia’ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf size | Medium | Medium–large | Very small (miniature) |
| Leaf shape | Heart-shaped | Heart-shaped | Oak-leaf shaped |
| Growth speed | Fast ⚡ | Moderate | Slow–moderate |
| Vigor | Very aggressive | Less aggressive | Well-behaved |
| Light needs | Medium | Bright (to keep variegation) | Medium–bright |
| Humidity need | Medium–high | Medium–high | High (loves terrariums) |
| Terrarium control | ❌ Hard to control | ⚠️ Needs pruning | ✅ Easy to manage |
| Best use | Walls, large tanks | Accent plant | Micro & display terrariums |
🧠 Honest Verdict (No Sugar-Coating)
Normal Ficus pumila
👉 Cheap, tough… and a bully. Will overrun small terrariums fast. Best for large builds only.Variegated Ficus pumila
👉 Prettier, slower, but light-hungry. Loses color fast if lighting isn’t spot-on.Ficus pumila ‘Quercifolia’
👉 The gold standard for terrariums.
Controlled growth, scale-perfect leaves, visually refined. If you care about long-term aesthetics — this is the one.
🌱 Bottom Line
If your goal is clean design, scale accuracy, and long-term control,
👉 Ficus pumila ‘Quercifolia’ wins. Every time.