Ficus Audrey, Ficus benghalensis, is a distant cousin to the very popular Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata). Also in the fig family, Ficus Audrey is the national tree of India but can be found in other tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Commonly known as the Banyan Tree, Ficus Audrey stands out with its sturdy green leaves, prominent veins, and production of prop roots when grown outdoors. In fact, there is one Banyan Tree that is over 4 acres wide! 

Less fussy than the Fiddle, Audrey has the potential to grow into a tree form as well. The growth of an Audrey closely resembles that of another cousin, the Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica), with a sturdy center trunk and evenly spaced, thick, oblong leaves.

How to Care for a Ficus Audrey

Light Exposure

Like most Ficus plants, the Audrey will do best in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. The Audrey can handle a bit of direct sunlight in the early morning or late evening, but you will want to avoid intense afternoon rays unless the plant has been acclimated to such light. Once you find the perfect spot for the Audrey, keep it there to avoid stress and leaf drop often associated with Ficus species.

Water & Media Type

Ficus Audrey is much more forgiving in terms of watering compared to a Fiddle, and will do best when the soil is allowed to dry out a bit in between waterings. Rather than watering on a schedule, allow the top few inches of soil to dry completely before watering. Then, water deeply until water comes out the bottom of the pot. Audrey is in the category of plants that will benefit from less frequent deep waterings, rather than small sips of water every few days.

Ficus Audrey will grow just fine in a well-draining potting soil. As with most houseplants, you will want to choose a pot that has adequate drainage to avoid the roots sitting in water.

Fertilization

You can fertilize your Ficus Audrey during the growing season (spring-early fall) with a plant food that is formulated for indoor plants, or you can dilute general purpose fertilizer by half. It is important to avoid overfertilizing indoor plants, either by using too-high a concentration or by fertilizing every time you water. Over-feeding can do much more harm than good.

Temperature and Climate

As with many houseplants, Ficus Audrey is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Keep your Audrey in a warm spot throughout the year where temperatures can stay between 65-85°F. Like other Ficus, the Audrey will not appreciate being located next to air conditioning units, heaters, or near frequently opened exterior doors, though this plant tends to be a bit more forgiving in that regard. In the winter, you may have to move the Audrey away from cold, drafty windows to prevent issues like leaf drop. While Ficus Audrey can handle most indoor humidity levels, browning leaf edges can be a sign that there is not enough humidity in the air. You can add humidity into the air around your plants using a humidifier or by supplying a humidity tray. 

Common Problems

With its fuzzy leaves, Ficus Audrey can tend to attract dust particles. For this reason, you will want to frequently wipe down the leaves of your Ficus Audrey so that it can get as much access to light and air as possible. Cleaning your plants frequently will also reduce the risk of pests like mites, mealybugs, scale, and thrips, though the Audrey does not tend to be at the top of their list to infect. In fact, the most common issues with the Audrey tend to stem from over- or underwatering, rather than pests or disease.

If you have been craving a statement plant like the Fiddle Leaf Fig, but like so many of us, can’t seem to make a Fiddle happy, the Ficus Audrey is a great option! While it is not considered a beginner plant, it tends to be a simpler one. Once you find the right spot and care routine, you can watch as your Ficus Audrey grows quickly and thrives!

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