The perfect statement plant can be hard to select, especially when you have a wealth of options to choose from. But look no further than the Ficus Audrey: elegant and statuesque, with a lush flutter of vibrant, spade-shaped foliage, the Ficus Audrey is an ideal indoor tree for graceful spaces and plant owners with moderate plant care experience. Like its sister variety, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, the Ficus Audrey is not considered to be entirely low-maintenance- but it is well worth the effort to care for and maintain this gorgeous tree. Read on to learn all you need to know about caring for and growing a stunning Ficus Audrey.
LIGHT
Prefers bright indirect light — and plenty of it
Leaves may scorch in harsh direct sunlight
WATER
Water thoroughly when topsoil is dry, usually once every ten days or so. Avoid overwatering.
Watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months
GROWTH
In prime conditions, the Ficus Audrey is a fast grower and can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors
Fertilize your plant regularly during the spring and summer months.
FICUS AUDREY
A stunning statement plant for graceful spaces that receive ample natural light, the Ficus Audrey features a bountiful canopy of spade-shaped foliage, slender trunk and statuesque silhouette.
Common problems with Ficus Audrey
Yellow or brown leaves - overwatering
Symptom - leaves appearing yellow or brown, usually starting at the center of the leaf
Cause -overwatering and/or not enough sunlight
Remedy - allow tree’s soil to dry out completely, sometimes this can take 2-3 weeks. Check the soil’s moisture through the drainage holes at the bottom of plastic nursery pot. Overwatering can lead to more severe ailments like root root, which may eventually require you change the soil.
Yellow or brown leaves - underwatering
Symptom - leaves turning yellow or brown, usually beginning at the edge of the leaf
Cause - underwatering
Remedy - give your Ficus Audrey a full shower! Remove from decorative pot (while keeping tree in plastic nursery pot) and put in a bathtub, shower or outdoor area, then give it a thorough watering. You can even let it sit in water for a few hours so that the roots can drink from the bottom. Let it drain out completely before returning tree to its decorative pot.
Leaf drop - overwatering or underwatering
Symptom - leaves dropping, either at the bottom of the plant or from all areas of the plant
Cause - usually overwatered Ficus Audrey trees will drop their bottom leaves, while underwatered trees will drop leaves from anywhere on the plant.
Remedy - follow instructions above for either overwatered or underwatered Ficus Audreys.
Leaf droop - underwatered or too warm
Symptom - leaves sagging or drooping
Cause - Ficus Audrey trees sometimes exhibit drooping foliage if it’s warm and they are thirsty
Remedy - adjust your watering schedule. During warm summer months, your plant may need more frequent waterings.
How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Ficus Audrey
Take good care of your Ficus Audrey, and it will flourish for years in your home! Below are simple tips to continue caring for your plant over time.
Pruning - Remove dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. It is not uncommon for Ficus Audreys to direct their growth toward their light source, and if this is the case, you may want to prune it back. When pruning your Ficus Audrey, wear gloves and protect your floor with newspaper — Ficuses contain sticky sap that can leak and damage floors. Use sharp, clean shears and cut just above the node at a 90 degree angle.
Staking - Sometimes Ficus Audrey trees can grow so large that they need some extra support. If you’ve pruned and still find your plant leaning, you may stake it by inserting a wooden dowel or support stick gently into the soil near the trunk.
Cleaning - Take a damp cloth or sponge and gentle clean each leaf (this also helps the plant soak in more light!).
Repotting - Houseplants grow at a much slower rate than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every 2-3 years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.
When to repot - if the roots start to become visible outside the soil (i.e. circling around the grow pot), it is time to consider repotting your Ficus Audrey.
Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow taller, source a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. If you want your plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.
Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.
Ficus Audrey
A graceful and sculptural statement tree with delicate, spade-shaped leaves and a slender trunk, the Ficus Audrey is a lush and stately option for sun-filled spaces.