Unlock the beauty of nature in your living room with an indoor String of Frogs! This Ficus quercifolia Care Guide will help you out.
This rare cultivar features tiny, bulb-like leaves that resemble tiny frogs, explaining its common name—String of Frogs. This trailing plant looks fantastic dangling down the hanging baskets or as a wall-mounted decoration. Grow yours with this Ficus quercifolia Care Guide!
- Botanical Name: Ficus quercifolia
- Known for its unique leaves resembling tiny frogs
- Vines can reach up to 3 feet long
- Prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can adapt to low light conditions as well
- Thrives best in a well-drained potting mix
String of Frogs Plant Profile
With lush green foliage and delicate vines, this creeping houseplant is a sight to behold. The tiny lobed leaves are a beautiful deep green, glossy, and perfectly formed, resembling mini frogs, certainly the reason behind its common name—String of Frogs. The vines can grow to an impressive length of 8-12 feet on maturity, while the tiny oak-like leaves are the defining characteristic of this plant, lending it a timeless elegance that only a few plants can match.
If you are looking for a fuzzy houseplant to liven the corners of your living room without the hassle of high maintenance, String of Frogs is the one for you!
Ideal Pot Size
The String of Frogs will grow well in a 4-6 inch pot to begin with, and as the plant grows, repot it into a larger pot which should be just one size bigger than the previous one. This will provide enough room for its roots to expand and will help in healthy growth. Being a trailing plant, you can experiment with different planters and hanging baskets to compliment its attractive looks.
String of Frogs Plant Propagation
String of Frogs can be propagated via stem cuttings. Go through these easily defined steps to know how to execute the propagation:
- Choose a healthy plant and snip a 4-6 inches long stem using sterile clippers.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem that will go into the soil.
- Plant the stem cutting in a pot containing well-draining media, such as perlite or sand.
- Keep the medium evenly moist and place it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight.
You will notice new growth in 3-4 weeks. Sit back and enjoy the vines filling the pot with tiny, cute foliage.
String of Frogs Growing Requirements
Light
When grown indoors, String of Frogs will do best in bright, indirect light. You can place your pot near a window with plenty of morning sunlight but not the scorching afternoon sun. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, killing their charm. You can also use some artificial light in case you don’t have access to bright, indirect light.
Soil
Ficus Pumila quercifolia needs well-drained soil to thrive well. A potting mix having equal parts of potting soil, coco peat, sand, and perlite or coarse grit is an excellent medium for this plant, providing the right blend of moisture retention and nutrients. Alternatively, a cactus or succulent soil mix will also boost plant growth.
Water
String of Frogs requires a balanced watering schedule. To know when to water this plant, keep an eye on the top two inches of the growing medium and ensure that the soil dries out between waterings. The soil might take over six days to dry out, depending on the weather, so watering once a week is enough to keep the plant thriving.
Do not overwater, as it can lead to root rot and affect the growth of your plant.
Temperature & Humidity
String of Frogs prefers temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C), making it ideal as a houseplant. Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) will not be good for its growth, nor will it be higher than 85°F (29°C).
As far as humidity is concerned, this plant is not very fussy and can tolerate dry indoor environments. A humidity level of 30-50% is pretty enough for this creeper. It is good to avoid misting as this can increase the risk of fungal diseases.
String of Frogs Care
Fertilizer
This plant does not need extensive care or fertilization, but feeding it once a month during its active growth period can enhance growth. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-5 weeks, diluting to half its strength.
Over-fertilizing causes a salt build-up in the soil and will end up harming the plant, especially during its dormancy, i.e., in winter.
Pests and Diseases
Although pretty much resistant to pests and diseases, String of Frogs can get infested by mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. The easy way to counter these issues is by treating the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. This plant is also susceptible to root rot which usually happens due to overwatering and must be kept in check.
