Ficus Audrey Care: The Easier Fiddle Leaf Fig

Overview

For the past decade, the Fiddle Leaf Fig has dominated the houseplant world, gracing the covers of countless interior design magazines. However, plant owners eventually discovered a dark secret: the Fiddle Leaf Fig is incredibly dramatic, prone to dropping all its leaves if you look at it wrong. Enter the Ficus benghalensis, commonly known as the Ficus Audrey.

The Ficus Audrey is rapidly taking the crown as the ultimate indoor statement tree. It features a striking, pale, smooth trunk and deep emerald-green leaves highlighted by prominent, light-green veins. Unlike the glossy leaves of other Ficus varieties, the Audrey's leaves have a soft, velvety fuzz. Best of all, while it looks just as majestic as a Fiddle Leaf Fig, it is significantly more resilient, less prone to throwing fits, and much more forgiving of beginner mistakes.

Light Requirements: Still a Sun Worshiper

Do not confuse "easier to care for" with "low light." Like all Ficus trees, the Ficus Audrey is a high-light plant. It must be placed directly in front of a massive, bright window. A south-facing or east-facing window is ideal. It will happily soak up several hours of direct sunlight, which helps the tree grow thick, sturdy branches.

If you place the Ficus Audrey in a dim corner, it will immediately stop growing. Within a few weeks, it will begin dropping its lower leaves one by one as it slowly starves to death, attempting to conserve energy for the canopy.

Watering: Avoiding Rot

The Ficus Audrey is slightly more tolerant of drought than a Fiddle Leaf, but it is equally susceptible to root rot if overwatered. You must allow the top 3 to 4 inches of the potting soil to dry out completely before you water. Stick your finger deep into the pot; if it feels damp, do not water.

When it is time, soak the pot thoroughly until water flows out the drainage holes. Never let the tree sit in a saucer of standing water. If the tree begins to develop dark brown or black patches in the center of the leaves, it is a definitive sign that the roots are rotting from too much water.

Temperature and Humidity

This is a tropical tree that requires warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C - 29°C). While it is significantly less dramatic about drafts than the Weeping Fig or Fiddle Leaf, you should still protect it from the direct blast of an air conditioning vent or a freezing winter door. It is highly adaptable to standard indoor humidity (40-50%) and does not require a humidifier, though it will grow faster in a humid environment.

Soil and Potting

Standard indoor potting soil holds water for far too long and will eventually suffocate the roots. You must use a chunky, fast-draining mix. Amending a high-quality potting soil with 30-40% perlite and some coarse orchid bark will provide the perfect balance of moisture retention and aeration.

Pruning and Maintenance

Because the leaves are slightly fuzzy, they act like a magnet for household dust. Dust blocks sunlight from reaching the chloroplasts. You must gently wipe the leaves down with a soft, damp microfiber cloth every few weeks. Do not use chemical leaf-shine products, as they will clog the stomata (pores) on the fuzzy leaves.

In the wild, the Ficus benghalensis is the famous Banyan tree, which grows massive aerial roots that drop from the branches to the ground. While it will rarely produce these aerial roots indoors, it is a vigorous grower. You will need to prune the top of the tree in the spring to control its height and encourage it to push out side branches.

Toxicity Warning

Like all plants in the Ficus family, the Audrey contains a milky white latex sap inside its stems and leaves. If a leaf is torn or a stem is cut, this sap will bleed out. The sap is toxic to cats and dogs, causing intense oral irritation and vomiting if chewed. It can also cause severe contact dermatitis (skin rashes) in sensitive humans, so always wash your hands after pruning.