Ficus Audrey

🌿 The Ficus Audrey, scientifically known as Ficus benghalensis, is a stunning member of the Moraceae family that's quickly becoming a favourite among indoor plant enthusiasts. Native to India and surrounding regions, this tropical beauty grows as a large banyan tree in its natural habitat, often developing aerial roots that create dramatic formations. As a houseplant, it offers a more manageable and elegant presence with its velvety leaves and upright growth habit. Classified as beginner-friendly, the Ficus Audrey is surprisingly forgiving compared to its fussier cousin, the Fiddle Leaf Fig. Here's a fun fact: in its native environment, this tree is considered sacred in Hindu culture and can grow large enough to shelter entire villages beneath its sprawling canopy.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
The Ficus Audrey grows in an upright, tree-like form that makes it perfect for filling vertical space in your home. Its leaves are oval-shaped with gently rounded tips, emerging in a soft sage green colour with contrasting light green or creamy white veins running through them. The foliage has a distinctly velvety texture that feels soft to the touch, and new growth appears in a pale, almost silvery hue before maturing to deeper green tones. Each leaf can grow quite large indoors, typically reaching 4 to 8 inches in length, creating a lush, tropical canopy as the plant matures.
FLOWER DETAILS
While the Ficus Audrey does produce flowers in its natural outdoor habitat, it rarely blooms when grown indoors as a houseplant. In the wild, it develops small, fig-like fruits that aren't particularly showy but serve an important ecological role. The flowers themselves are tiny and hidden within these fruit structures, making them more botanically interesting than visually striking. Indoor specimens focus their energy on producing that gorgeous foliage instead, which is honestly the main attraction anyway. If you're keeping this plant indoors, you can enjoy its leafy beauty without worrying about encouraging blooms, since flowering isn't really part of the indoor Ficus Audrey experience.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright, indirect light works best, though it tolerates some direct morning sun. Aim for 6-8 hours of good light daily to keep growth strong and leaves vibrant.
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry, usually every 7-10 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winter. Bottom watering or a slow, deep soak works well to ensure even moisture without waterlogging.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in 40-60% humidity, which is typical for most homes. It adapts well to average indoor conditions without needing extra humidity measures.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining potting mix with good aeration. A blend of regular potting soil, perlite, and a bit of orchid bark creates the right balance.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, sized just 2 inches larger than the root ball. Terracotta or ceramic pots work nicely. Repot every 2-3 years or when roots appear crowded.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate to fast growth, adding 6-12 inches in the first year under good conditions. Can reach 6-10 feet tall indoors at maturity over several years.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
🐾 Pet friendly: No, the Ficus Audrey is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains a milky sap that can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and digestive upset if chewed or ingested.
WHERE TO PUT IT
The Ficus Audrey shines in spaces with plenty of natural light, making it ideal for living rooms, home offices, or sunrooms where it can anchor a corner or stand as a statement piece. It loves being near east or west-facing windows where it gets that bright, filtered light throughout the day. As it grows taller, it becomes a beautiful focal point that adds height and presence to any room. Avoid placing it in dark hallways, windowless bathrooms, or rooms with minimal light, as it will struggle and may drop leaves. Also keep it away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, or heating registers, since sudden temperature changes can stress the plant.