How Do You Care For Audrey Ficus?

Is Ficus Audrey rare?

Ficus Audrey, also known as Ficus benghalensis in the scientific community, is an extraordinary plant species. It is often known as the Banyan tree and is the world’s largest tree in terms of crown spread.

It is a rare and sought-after ficus, and it is India’s national tree because Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under a Ficus Audrey. In terms of canopy coverage, it can also grow to be one of the world’s largest trees. It has gorgeous, velvety leaves and is ideal for bright settings.

How do you care for Audrey Ficus?

This tree is the monarch of all trees in its home location, being endemic to Southeast Asian countries, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The huge trees, which give rise to a plethora of biodiversity beneath their canopy, can grow as wide as 180 meters in crown diameter on average! Here’s the care;

Light: Choose a site for your ficus Audrey that receives several hours of bright, indirect light, such as a south or west-facing window. This indoor tree can withstand some morning and evening sun, but avoid prolonged periods of direct sunlight in the afternoon since it may burn the leaves.

Soil: Plant your ficus Audrey in a soil mixture that is moist yet drains well. This tree would benefit from a mix of indoor potting soil, perlite, and sand.

Water: Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry between waterings before thoroughly watering. Ficus Audrey thrives in regularly moist soil and should never be allowed to totally dry out.

Temperature and Humidity: Audrey, a native of India, prefers warm, humid weather. It performs well in regular household conditions; however, it should not be exposed to temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Standard household humidity levels are usually fine, but keep this tropical plant away from drafty windows or AC/heat vents, which might dry up the air surrounding it.

If your ficus is showing signs of drying out (such as browning edges on the leaves), placing a humidifier nearby or relocating the plant to a humid room (such as a bathroom or laundry room) will help.

Fertilizer: During its active growing season, Ficus Audrey benefits from regular fertilization. Fertilize once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer from early spring through early fall. You can also enrich the soil with natural fertilizers such as compost, worm castings, or bone/blood meal.

How big does a ficus Audrey get?

Ficus Audrey trees can reach heights of 30 meters and have canopies as large as 180 meters in diameter in the wild. They are fast-growing plants, with the average Banyan tree reaching full maturity in five years. When grown in a pot, this plant can reach a height of 7-10 feet.

While these trees hardly grow an inch in the winter, their height and foliage can skyrocket in the summer.

Banyan trees begin to develop rapidly after they are well-established in the ground or in a pot. So, if you’ve transplanted a young plant or just propagated one, be patient because it will take at least a year to begin growing at a normal rate.

The leaves are elliptic in shape, 2-6 inches long, with a fuzzy surface. The leaf is medium green in hue with noticeable light green veins. At the tip of each stalk, new foliage development resembles huge red chilies.

How do you repot Audrey ficus?

Ficus Audrey does not require repotting on a regular basis and can live in the same container for 2 to 3 years at a time. It doesn’t mind being a little rootbound and should only be repotted when the roots begin to outgrow the container (for example, roots growing through the pot’s drainage holes).

When you’ve decided it’s time to repot, it’s better to do so in the spring or summer. Select a new pot that is 2 to 3 inches wider. Avoid expanding the pot size by more than 3 inches, as this can result in overwatering.

Before transplanting the tree to its new pot, remove it from its original container and gently loosen some of the old soil around the roots.

Fill the container with fresh well-draining soil, keeping the root ball at the same level as in the original pot. Then, thoroughly water your newly planted ficus Audrey and return it to its original spot.

If you want to keep the plant’s size under control and don’t want it to grow much taller, you can choose to refresh the soil but not increase the container size. At this point, you will need to cut back the roots so that the tree can continue to develop in its original container.

How do you prune Audrey Ficus?

Pruning is an essential aspect of Ficus Audrey maintenance. This plant quickly outgrows its space and must be cut back to size to retain its nice appearance and size. For optimal results, prune in the spring or early summer.

Ficus Audrey requires more frequent pruning as a houseplant than most other plants. Pruning and defoliation procedures can also be employed to encourage the plant to produce denser foliage with smaller leaf sizes.

During pruning sessions, remove all dead plant debris, dried up aerial roots, and dried leaves. Ficus Audrey leaves and stems can emit dangerous, stinging white sap when clipped.

So, while pruning your plant, ensure sure the sap does not come into contact with your skin and that no children or dogs touch it.

How much light does a ficus Audrey need?

Because these are tropical trees, they enjoy plenty of bright, indirect sunshine, though they can withstand lower light levels than a violin. If feasible, place your ficus Audrey directly in an east-facing window.

If that isn’t an option, place it a few feet away from a south- or west-facing window, where it will still receive plenty of brilliant light but will not be scorched by the direct afternoon sun.

A north-facing window may not provide enough light for a ficus Audrey (unless you live in the southern hemisphere), so you may want to consider augmenting with a grow lamp if that’s your only alternative.

What is Ficus Audrey?

The ficus Audrey, also known as Ficus benghalensis, is a one-of-a-kind woody shrub with a light trunk and brilliant green leaves cut by light green veins. The ficus Audrey, a cousin of the fashionable fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), is equally attractive but slightly easier to care for.

Ficus Audrey, also known as Ficus benghalensis, is a woody shrub having structural components on the stems that allows it to grow unusually tall.

But don’t be put off by the towering height—it doesn’t take much to make your Ficus plant grow large and healthy. It is often known as the Banyan tree and is the world’s largest tree in terms of crown spread.

This tree is the king of all trees in its native territory, which includes Southeast Asian countries, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The huge trees, which give rise to vast biodiversity beneath their canopy, can grow as wide as 180 meters in crown diameter on average!

Is Ficus Audrey slow growing?

Ficus Audrey ficus trees are slow to grow and finicky, which is why they require fertilization. In the summer, fertilizer should be used at least once a month, with good quality potting mix or organic compost serving as an alternative.

Banyan trees begin to develop rapidly after they are well-established in the ground or in a pot. So, if you’ve transplanted a young plant or just propagated one, be patient because it will take at least a year to begin growing at a normal rate.

Why are my Ficus Audrey leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves can be caused by a number of various issues. To begin, if you detect one or two elder leaves browning and falling off, this may simply be a natural part of the tree’s life cycle.

It is natural for older leaves to fall off over time. If you find newer or an unusually large number of leaves turning yellow and falling off, this is most likely due to either over- or under-watering.

What kind of soil does Audrey ficus like?

Ficus Audrey prefers sandy loam that drains easily. It will thrive in lush, organic-rich soil. This plant prefers continuous soil moisture but will endure extended dry spells, thus the soil should have high water retention. The Banyan tree grows well in saline, shallow soils.

Ficus Audrey, like Ficus Religiosa, can be seen growing out of walls and crevices in its natural location. This reveals the plant’s ability to grow in challenging conditions.

This plant may grow almost anywhere, generally on the trunks of other trees, before it develops aerial roots and spreads rampantly to engulf and strangle the host tree. This is also why it is known as Strangler Fig.

While it will sprout on a tree trunk, it must develop aerially in order to absorb the nutrients and water required for growth.

This plant can grow quickly if given the appropriate conditions, but it will require adequate soil fertility and moisture to thrive.

When planting Ficus Audrey in the ground, you don’t need to worry about the soil. It will thrive in typical garden soil. Use an organic mix with sufficient drainage and aeration for growing as a houseplant.

Adding substances like perlite, pine bark, or coco chips improves drainage and allows the roots to breathe.

Is Ficus Audrey a rubber plant?

Ficus Audrey looks a lot like a rubber plant, but instead of glossy, somber, burgundy leaves, it has small, matted, emerald green leaves; and instead of a spindly, black trunk, it has a broad, white, almost birch-like trunk.

The rubber tree’s fancy cousin, Ficus ‘Audrey’ (Benghalensis), only visits on holidays. This plant grows into a big tree in its native India, but it will be quite content in any environment that can supply very bright light with a little bit of direct sunlight.

Does ficus Audrey like humidity?

The Banyan tree prefers humidity and will only thrive when humidity levels above 40-50 percent. High humidity is required for the development and establishment of aerial roots. If housed in extremely dry conditions, this plant will cease growing and may die.

When it comes to the Ficus Audrey, dampness is essential for the plant’s growth. In nature, the plant needs a few months of high humidity to successfully grow aerial roots and enable them reach the ground and establish themselves.

The Monsoon system, which lasts from July to August, is responsible for this natural high humidity period. During these months, humidity rarely falls below 50% in areas where Ficus Audrey thrives naturally.

If you don’t live in a tropical environment, you’ll have to compensate for this plant’s humidity needs artificially. Misting the foliage is not an efficient approach to meet this plant’s humidity requirements. More effective solutions include using a humidifier or a pebble tray.

Why is my Audrey Ficus dropping leaves?

While ficus Audrey is less picky than its relative, the fiddle leaf fig, they both have a history of shedding leaves dramatically if their watering schedule is wrong. If your ficus Audrey is loosing leaves, it is most likely due to a lack of water.

While these trees can withstand a brief period of drought after each watering, they should not be allowed to totally dry out and will begin to drop leaves if allowed to. A good watering should keep the leaves from falling.

How often should I water my ficus Audrey?

Ficus Audrey demands regular, moderate watering. Although it can withstand extreme dry spells that can easily kill other plants, it will thrive if the soil is kept constantly moist. Don’t wait for the soil to totally dry out; instead, give it a drink when the top layer of soil becomes dry.

In comparison to other large houseplants, Ficus Audrey is far more forgiving if you make a few watering blunders.

It can withstand being submerged but dislikes being overwatered. Overwatering can cause leaf drop, dark spots on the foliage, and various fungal infections.

Its soil should be kept uniformly moist at all times. During the dry months, if growing in the ground, you can mulch the dirt surrounding it. When the rainy season approaches, remember to wrap up the mulch material.

Cover the soil in a pot with stones, chips, or other debris to assist the soil retain moisture.

Observing the soil moisture every two days for two weeks is the best approach to time your watering. When the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry, this plant requires water.

You can use the finger test to monitor soil moisture every two days and design a watering schedule for the summer and winter.

Is Ficus Audrey poisonous to cats?

The major hazard of a Ficus Audrey to humans is that its sap can irritate skin, but it can also induce intestinal upset if consumed.

Pets are especially vulnerable, and any portion of the plant that is consumed can cause nausea and other issues. Severe difficulties are infrequent, but sweeping up leaves is a good idea if you have pets.

When ficus leaves are cut, they can emit poisonous sap. As with many potentially dangerous houseplants, you’ll want to keep an eye on your ficus to ensure that your children and pets don’t bite into it. And, just to be safe, wash your hands after cutting the plant.

How do you propagate ficus Audrey?

Audrey propagates easily in the wild via seed and offshoots, but it is best to reproduce this tree indoors via stem cuttings. If you’ve ever grown a fiddle leaf fig or a rubber tree, the technique for this ficus is similar.

Before you begin, lay down a sheet and put on protective gloves to avoid getting Audrey’s sticky sap on yourself or the surfaces around you. To propagate ficus Audrey, follow these simple instructions.

Choose a location along the stem where you want to propagate. Make sure that each stem cutting has at least two to three leaves.

Cut the stem to detach it from the main plant with a pair of sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors. Fill a tiny pot halfway with well-draining potting soil and lightly water it with a spray bottle.

Apply a rooting hormone to the end of each cutting and insert it into the soil mix.

Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse-like environment, and place the cutting(s) in an area that receives bright, indirect light. Water as necessary to keep the soil moist.

After 3 to 4 weeks, the roots should begin to grow and the plastic bag can be removed.

Can Ficus Audrey be grown outside?

Although ficus Audrey may be grown outdoors, it prefers warm, humid conditions. It can thrive year-round in USDA zones 9 to 11, or you can relocate it outside in the summer if you want. Just make sure it’s not exposed to temps below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant is obviously not frost-tolerant, but it will also not appreciate temperatures below 55oF (13oC). It dislikes cold drafts and isn’t afraid to tell you so by shedding leaves.

If your Ficus Audrey is outgrowing its container and you don’t want to deal with root clipping, put it outside in USDA Zones 10 to 12.

Where do you put Audrey ficus?

Knowing that the ficus Audrey thrives in warm, humid areas (it’s now even grown in portions of Florida) might help you understand the indoor growth conditions it requires. It is recommended that you place yours in bright, indirect light, preferably near an eastern or northern-facing window.

Just don’t leave it in direct sunlight for hours on end in the afternoon. You should also keep it away from doors, air conditioners, and open windows because it dislikes dry or drafty environments and loves humidity.

Is ficus Audrey easier to care for than fiddle leaf fig?

Yes! Ficus Audrey requires less light and watering than fiddle leaf figs. While ficus Audrey still prefers bright, indirect sunshine and dislikes being over- or under-watered, if it’s unhappy, it won’t throw a fit or drop half of its leaves if you overwater it once or twice.

Many people consider ficus Audrey to be considerably more easygoing than its relative, the violin, which has a reputation for being a fussy tree.

How do you train Audrey ficus?

Growing an indoor tree includes shaping it into the shape you wish. Without a little assistance, this tree can become troublesome!

Rotate the tree with each watering to encourage balanced growth, and trim any branches that throw the tree off balance, either visually or physically.

If you want a more treelike, lollipop shape rather than a bushy one, you may need to encourage your tree to branch in certain spots. Choose where you want a branch to grow and cut a 14-inch notch in the trunk with a clean knife or shears. (By the way, this is known as notching.) Fitting!)

Within a few weeks, you may notice a bud emerging, which will eventually grow into a branch! This approach only works about half of the time, so if you don’t see any change after a few months, try again with a second incision near (but not directly on top of) the first.

How many varieties of ficus Audrey are there?

There are around 800 species in the Ficus genus, including the well-known Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina), Rubber Tree Plant (Ficus elastica), and, of course, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata).

There is only one type of Audrey Fig. Your mild Ficus Audrey may appear to have little similarity to the giant banyan trees of India, but the fundamental difference is scale.

Does ficus Audrey bloom?

The Ficus benghalensis ‘Audrey’ banyan tree is indigenous to India and the surrounding region. It is a strain of Strangler Fig. Your Ficus Audrey does not have any traditional flowers visible.

The reproductive blooms reside inside the fruit and are pollinated by insects that enter the chamber through specific “doors.” The seeds remain infertile in the absence of these pollinators.

What is wrong with my ficus Audrey?

Yellowing foliage: If you see yellowing leaves near the tree’s base, check sure the soil isn’t too wet. If your tree still feels damp days after you watered it, it may have been overwatered. Your tree may be under-watered if you detect yellow leaves all over it and the soil is dry.

If the soil appears to be in good condition, your tree may require additional light. Finally, if everything about your lighting and watering appears to be fine, your tree may have a nutritional shortage and require fertilizer.

Brown spots: Dry, crispy brown spots on your tree signal that it is badly under-watered. Soft, dark brown blotches lower on the tree may indicate that your ficus Audrey has been overwatered and should be repotted.

Insects: You may have an insect problem if you detect little dots or holes on the leaves, webbing, or a sticky, transparent residue.

Drooping leaves: Audrey, your ficus, could need a drink! If you just relocated or repotted your ficus Audrey, it may be in shock as well, but it should recover in a week or so with sufficient light and hydration.