Ficus Audrey is one of the best indoor plants. It boasts a stunning appearance, characterized by large, glossy, dark green leaves on a robust trunk. Beyond beauty, the Ficus Audrey requires little maintenance, and it helps remove impurities from indoor air.
Suppose Ficus Audrey does not receive proper care, lest you deal with issues like leaf drop, yellowing of leaves, and susceptibility to pests. Learn the information you need to care for the Ficus Audrey plant.
Getting to Know Ficus Audrey
Ficus Audrey is a native of India and Pakistan, where it is regarded as a sacred ornamental tree. The plant has oval-shaped leaves featuring bright green foliage on a pale trunk. This house plant can grow to 6 feet high. Nonetheless, you can prune it to keep it in size.
Setting the Stage: Ideal Environment
Ficus Audrey thrives best under the right conditions. A proper balance of the right conditions helps the plant retain its aesthetic allure while reducing the likelihood of issues like leaf yellowing. The most basic conditions to provide include the following:
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Light Requirements
This ornamental plant, Ficus Audrey, grows well in places that get plenty of indirect sunlight. For this reason, it is best to place the plant in windows that face east or west. You’d want to avoid direct sunlight as it scorches leaves.
If there is not enough light indoors, you can supplement the natural light with LED grow lights. These lights mimic natural light, providing the wavelength your Ficus Audrey needs to photosynthesize.
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Temperature and Humidity
Ficus Audrey prefers room temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures, more especially those below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, can lead to issues like leaf dropping.
In addition to the temperature, this indoor plant thrives well under a humidity range of 30 to 60 percent. You can keep a humidifier or pebble tray near the tree to boost humidity levels in case your indoor area has insufficient humidity.
Planting and Repotting
Ficus Audrey performs well in any high-quality potting soil. The ideal potting soil should have excellent drainage and aeration so the plant’s roots don’t rot. In addition to aeration and drainage, the right soil for Ficus Audrey should be relatively alkaline.
After every two years, you should report Ficus Audrey in a larger pot. Nonetheless, if you notice the plant’s roots through the pot’s drainage holes, re-pot it even before the two-year period elapses. To report your ornamental plant, use the following steps.
- Choose a slightly larger pot, but make sure it isn’t too large
- Get your potting mix ready
- Water the Ficus Audrey thoroughly a day before repotting
- Remove the plant gently from its current pot
- Place some potting mix at the bottom of the new pot
- Place the Ficus Audrey in the center of the new pot
- Fill the sides with more potting mix
- Water the Ficus Audrey and place it away from direct sunlight
Watering Wisdom
Water the Ficus Audrey every time the top 1 or 2 inches of soil dries up. Besides, you can water the plant whenever its leaves start curling inwards. The curling means that the plant is thirsty and, hence, needs watering.
Make sure you water Ficus Audrey consistently to avoid the chances of overwatering or underwatering. Overwatering makes the plant’s leaves appear yellow, losing its aesthetic appeal. Likewise, the plant’s leaves will have dry, crusty spots when underwatered.
Pruning and Shaping
Since Ficus Audrey’s foliage can grow out of shape, you should prune it to shape and give it a bushy appearance. The plant is best pruned in winter to reduce the risk of injury. In addition to timing, use the following best practices to get the process right.
- Use clean and sharp pruning shears to prune your houseplant
- Remove damaged leaves
- Prune excessively long branches to keep them in size
- Cut the tips of branches to stimulate bushier growth
- Cut branches just above leaf nodes to promote growth
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Ficus Audrey is prone to spider mites and soil gnats. However, pest attack is never a big issue since you can prevent them with neem oil. You can notice the pests by the sticky residue or fine webbing visible on the leaves. Apart from pests, Ficus Audrey can be vulnerable to fusarium wilt, which can be treated with a fungicide.
Learn More Care Tips for Ficus Audrey from Nick’s Garden Center
For the past 30 years, St. Nick’s Garden has helped thousands of homeowners beautify their home with all sorts of indoor plants. We sell an array of ornamental plants for your indoors or outdoors, including the Ficus Audrey. Besides the plants, we give gardening advice to help you keep your plants in top shape.
Contact us to discuss your gardening concerns with an expert.
