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Creeping Fig · Ficus pumila

Why are there brown bumps on my creeping fig stems?

If you see small, hard brown bumps on your creeping fig stems, you are likely dealing with scale insects. These pests suck the sap from your plant and can cause it to weaken over time. Check the undersides of leaves and along the stems for these tiny invaders.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the stems closely for raised bumps.
  2. Check the undersides of leaves for sticky residue.
  3. Isolate the plant from your other houseplants.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, raised brown or tan bumps that look like part of the plant but can be scraped off with a fingernail.

    What to do: Dab each bump with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill them. Follow up by spraying the entire plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap once a week for 3 weeks.

  2. Mealybugs

    Possible

    How to tell: Look for white, cottony patches hiding in the leaf axils or along the stems.

    What to do: Wipe the white patches away with a cloth soaked in soapy water. Treat the plant with a neem oil spray every 7 days until the infestation is gone.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your creeping fig

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

If the plant is covered in sticky honeydew or leaves are turning yellow, the infestation is severe and needs immediate treatment.

Stopping it coming back

Wipe down your plant leaves monthly with a damp cloth and keep it away from new plants until you are sure they are pest free.

Creeping Fig: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping fig and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I just wash the bugs off?
Washing helps, but it rarely removes every single egg or hidden insect. You must follow up with a treatment like neem oil to ensure they do not return.
Will these bugs spread to my other plants?
Yes, scale and mealybugs spread easily between plants that are touching. Keep your creeping fig away from your other greenery until it is healthy again.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Creeping Fig

Back to the Creeping Fig guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.