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Ficus Audrey

SCENTIFIC NAME: Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'

KNOWN AS: Bengal Fig, Strangler Fig, Banyan Tree, Peepal, Bahupada

CLIMATE (LOCATION): India | Tropical

DESCRIPTION: This is a friendly ficus. It is easier to take care of than the Fiddle-Leaf Fig. It can make a statement in your space. Most people pot it in groups of a few stems. It looks nice whether it is small or big.

Moderate difficulty & pet toxic

Ficus Audrey Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

Ficus Audrey plants prefer bright, indirect light. For the best light exposure, put them close to a west or east-facing window. It is advisable to keep them out of direct sunlight, since it can scorch their leaves. The plant may get leggy and its growth may slow down if it does not receive enough light.

Watering

Quick Tip: Water until water comes out of drainage holes. Allow top 2 inches of soil to completely dry between waterings.

Ficus Audrey plants prefer to be kept on the somewhat drier side. When the top inch of soil seems dry to the touch, water the plant well with room temperature water. Make careful to let any extra water drain out of the pot's bottom and avoid letting the plant stand in water, as this might lead to root rot. Reduce watering over the winter, but don't let the soil get completely dry. Since ficus Audrey prefers greater humidity, spraying the leaves or using a humidifier can support the plant's growth. It's crucial to avoid overwatering the plant since this can result in yellowing or leaf drop. Generally speaking, maintaining slightly drier soil and avoiding extremes of wet or dry soil can aid in the growth and health of your ficus Audrey.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 60º - 75º

The ficus Audrey plant likes temperatures between 60 and 75°F (15 and 24°C) because they are warm and stable. It is important to keep the temperature from changing quickly, as this can stress the plant and slow its growth. The ficus Audrey can handle temperatures that are a little bit outside of this range, but it does best in a place where the temperature stays mostly the same day and night. Also, you should avoid putting the plant near drafts like windows or doors, which can cause sudden changes in temperature.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 40 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Ficus Audrey plants need the right amount of humidity for their health and growth. These tropical plants do best in humid places, and if you give them the right amount of water, they will stay green and lush. Misting the leaves of your ficus Audrey with water on a regular basis is one of the best ways to increase the humidity around your plant. This will keep the leaves from drying out and help them stay moist. Make sure to use water at room temperature and a fine mist to keep the leaves from getting hurt. Putting a humidifier near your plant is a good idea. This will give your ficus Audrey a steady source of water and make the air around it more humid, which will help it grow. Make sure to clean and take care of the humidifier so mold or bacteria doesn't grow. You can also use a pebble tray if you don't have a humidifier. Put pebbles and water in a shallow tray, then put your plant on top of the pebbles. The water in the tray will evaporate, making the air around your Ficus Audrey more moist. In addition to these methods, you can also put your plants together in groups. Through a process called transpiration, plants release water into the air. Having a lot of plants together can help to make a more humid microclimate. Just make sure not to crowd your plants too much, as this can lead to problems with pests and diseases.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Ficus Audrey plants can be propagated through stem cuttings. To propagate, take a stem cutting from a healthy plant, making sure it has a few leaves and nodes. Remove any leaves from the bottom of the stem cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Place the stem cutting in a pot with well-draining soil and water it thoroughly. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or dome to create a humid environment and place it in a bright, but indirect, light. Keep the soil moist and mist the plant occasionally. After a few weeks, the cutting should start to develop roots, and you can remove the plastic bag or dome. Once the cutting has rooted and started to grow, you can transplant it to a larger pot or into your garden.
Toxicity
The ficus Audrey is considered to be mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested. The plant's sap contains a milky substance that can cause mild irritation and discomfort if ingested. If a person or pet ingests any part of the ficus audrey, they may experience symptoms such as mouth and throat irritation, burning sensation, drooling, and potentially vomiting. If you have concerns about the ficus Audrey's toxicity or if you suspect ingestion or exposure, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional, veterinarian, or a poison control center for personalized advice based on your specific circumstances. It's recommended to keep the plant out of reach of young children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Repotting
It's not too hard to repot Ficus Audrey plants. First, choose a pot that is one size bigger than the one you are using now and make sure it has holes in the bottom for drainage. Put fresh potting soil in the bottom of the new pot. Carefully take the ficus Audrey out of the pot it is in, being careful not to hurt the roots. Loosen the soil around the roots and pull out any roots that are dead or broken. Put the plant in the new pot and fill it with new potting soil. Lightly press the soil down. Give the plant a lot of water and put it somewhere with bright, indirect light.
Pruning
You can prune ficus Audrey plants to keep their shape and size or to get them to grow new leaves. Before new growth starts in the spring is the best time to prune. You can make your cuts with sharp, clean shears or a pruning saw. Find the stems you want to get rid of and cut them at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf or node. If you want the plant to grow bigger and fuller, cut back the branch tips. You can also get rid of any leaves or branches that are dead, sick, or broken. After you prune your plant, make sure to water it and give it the care it needs to recover and grow.
Fertilizing
The ficus Audrey plant is easy to take care of and doesn't need a lot of fertilizer. During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed your Ficus audrey every two to four weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 20-20-20. Dilute the fertilizer to half of what the directions say, and spread it around the plant's base. Be careful not to fertilize too much, because that can cause fertilizer burn, which hurts the roots and leaves of the plant. When the plant goes dormant in the fall and winter, you can cut back on, or stop, fertilizing altogether.
Soil
Ficus Audrey plants like soil that drains well and has a pH level between slightly acidic and neutral. Two parts potting soil, one part perlite, and one part peat moss can make a good soil mix for ficus Audrey. The perlite helps the soil drain, and the peat moss helps the soil keep water. Adding sand or vermiculite can also help the soil drain. Root rot can happen if you overwater ficus Audrey plants, so don't do that. A soil mix that drains well can help keep water from building up in the soil and possibly hurting the plant.

Hanging Heights

Ficus Audrey Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light)

Similar Lighting Requirements