How to care for Audrey Fig
About Audrey Fig
The elegant Audrey Fig (Ficus benghalensis) is the national tree of India. In its natural habitat, its beautiful canopy can spread widely, providing generous shade in warm climates. Indoors, it can grow tall and upright, making a striking feature plant. With its light-coloured trunk and soft, emerald-green leaves, it’s easy to see why this plant is so loved. But beyond its beauty, the Audrey Fig is best known for being low-maintenance and forgiving, perfect for both beginners and experienced plant owners.
Other common names
- Audrey Ficus
- Banyan tree
- Strangler fig
How Often Should I Water My Audrey Fig?
With easyplant’s self-watering system, caring for your Audrey Fig is effortless. Simply check the easyplant reservoir once a month and top it up when it’s empty!
Audrey Fig Light Needs
The Audrey Fig thrives in bright, indirect light and can tolerate some direct sunlight. It’s best placed in a spot where natural light is abundant, such as near an east-facing window.
South and west-facing windows can also work, provided the plant isn’t exposed to harsh afternoon sun. Avoid placing it in low-light areas or spaces without natural sunlight, as this will slow its growth.
Audrey Fig Plant Care
As your Audrey Fig grows, you can shape it to suit your space. If you prefer a bushier plant, leave the lower leaves intact. For a more tree-like appearance, remove some of the lower leaves to encourage upward growth. To keep it healthy, wipe the leaves occasionally to remove dust and rotate the pot a quarter of a turn each month to ensure even growth.
How Big Do Audrey Fig Plants Grow?
Indoors, the Audrey Fig can grow between 1.5 to 3 meters over time, while in its natural habitat, it can reach an impressive 20 to 30 meters. Though it grows at a moderate pace indoors, with good light and regular watering, it can gain around 10 cm per growing season. To support its growth, repotting every two years is recommended.
Temperature & Humidity
For best results, keep your Audrey Fig in temperatures between 18-29°C. Most homes provide a suitable climate, but if the air is particularly dry, consider increasing humidity with a pebble tray. The plant thrives in humidity levels above 40%, though it can tolerate drier conditions.
Is the Audrey Fig Toxic to Pets & Children?
While the Audrey Fig is a stunning plant, it is toxic if ingested. Its sap can cause irritation if it comes into contact with skin, and eating the leaves may lead to mouth and stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation when handling its sap. If cats or dogs ingest Ficus Audrey leaves, they may experience irritation in their mouth and gastrointestinal tract, so it’s best to keep the plant out of reach.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Audrey Fig
Regularly inspect and gently clean the undersides of the leaves to keep pests at bay. If you spot any, act quickly by carefully wiping the affected areas with insecticidal soap or applying a diluted Neem oil spray. If your Audrey Fig starts dropping leaves, it may be due to either overwatering or underwatering. Overwatering typically results in brown leaf tips with yellow edging, whereas fully yellow leaves with crispy brown tips - without yellow edges - indicate underwatering. Audrey Fig is also susceptible to various diseases, including root rot, leaf spot disease, botrytis, rust, powdery mildew, and southern blight. To keep your plant healthy and free from these issues, ensure good air circulation and avoid letting the soil become overly saturated with water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ficus Audrey Plant
- Is Audrey Fig an indoor plant?
Yes! Ficus Audrey makes an excellent indoor plant. It flourishes in bright, indirect light and can handle some direct sunlight. When grown outdoors, it prefers semi-shaded areas and can reach up to 30 meters in heigh
- Is Ficus Audrey easier than fiddle leaf fig?
Ficus Audrey is easier to care for than the fiddle leaf fig. While both plants require regular watering and occasional dusting, the Ficus Audrey is more adaptable to changes in temperature and humidity. It also requires less pruning and is generally more forgiving.
- How do you care for Audrey Ficus?
For best results, place it in a warm location with good air circulation and maintain a temperature of 18-29°C. Allow the top 2-5 cm of soil to dry between waterings, and keep humidity levels moderate to high.
- Is Audrey Ficus hard to care for?
Not at all! While it appreciates a consistent care routine, it’s relatively low-maintenance. Avoid overwatering, provide good humidity, and keep it in bright light, and your Audrey Ficus will thrive.