Fiddle - leaf fig are popular houseplant , but they are n’t perfect . They can betricky to care for , especially for beginners . If you ’re on the observation post for a new plant to add to your collection , or you ’re a founding father looking for the perfect plant to start with , then may we infix you to the genus Ficus Audrey ?
This close congener of the fiddle - folio fig is an first-class plant , and it ’s rocket in popularity . Wondering what it is , why it ’s good than the fiddle - leaf Libyan Fighting Group , and how you could grow your own ? We ’ll suffice all your questions in this simple guide to ficus Audrey care .
What is a ficus Audrey?
Ficus Audrey is a variety ofFicus benghalensis , or banyan tree . This is the interior tree of India , and they ’re remarkably easy to care for . Ficus Audrey resembles its cousin , the violin - leaf fig , but it typically has smaller leaves that are more or less more oval in shape and a flake less glossy . If you did n’t recognise you were see at a different plant , you might not discover the differences at all .
However , the main cause that ficus Audrey trees are becoming more popular than thefiddle - foliage Libyan Fighting Group treesis their concern requirements . Where fiddle - leafage Ficus carica tree are picky and sometimes struggle to thrive indoors , ficus Audrey trees are well suitable to indoor living and are much more relaxed and forgiving . So if you ’re a beginner , or someone who ’s had difficulties with get violin - foliage figs in the past , then ficus Audrey trees are an fantabulous alternative .
Planting your ficus Audrey
Ficus Audrey plants relish light , well - draining , and rich aerate soil . Many gardeners find success with a cactus potting mix , but you may also use a standard potting ground that has beenamended with perliteand compost . Both perlite and compost will meliorate drainage and water retention . Perlite also aid with aeration , and compost improves the nutrient timbre of the grunge . As with other houseplants , be indisputable the container has drainage holes .
As you might approximate from pick up that it ’s the home tree diagram of India , these plants are tropic . They have it off heat and humidity , make them well houseplants than outdoor plants in most parts of the U.S. Your genus Ficus Audrey can grow outdoors inUSDA zones 9to 11 , and you’re able to take it outdoors in lovesome conditions elsewhere . However , it should stay put indoors during fall and winter and put away from drafts or air release .
Unlike the violin - folio Libyan Islamic Group , ficus Audrey does best in bright , collateral light , but it ’s not terribly finicky . Although it can suffer from too much shade or too much direct Lord’s Day , ficus Audrey is more resistant of wide-ranging light than its cousin . This , merge with its love life of humidness , pull in genus Ficus Audrey an excellent john plant .
Ficus Audrey care
A Ficus Audrey tree should be irrigate whenever the top few inches of soil are ironic . permit the grunge dry somewhat ensures you wo n’t overwater it , but avoid letting the soil dry out completely . If the soil is ironic for too long , your ficus Audrey may lose a few leaves . The good news is that they will regrow if you begin watering it again , so do n’t panic . On average , you should be watering your ficus Audrey tree diagram every week to week and a half . The exact timing can vary based on the temperature , humidity , and lighting around your industrial plant .
During leap and summer , you may feed your genus Ficus Audrey with abalanced houseplant fertilizer . We recommend contain a liquid fertiliser into your watering routine , as this is loose for most gardeners than mixing mealy plant food into the potting soil around your ficus Audrey industrial plant ’s roots . However , you do n’t need to fertilize during every watering . These plant are not hard feeders , and overfertilization can do more hurt than good .
Ficus Audrey has a moderate development charge per unit — not too fast and not too slow . They want to be repot every two eld ( although plants that are being fertilized regularly may require more frequent repotting ) in a slightly larger pot with wise soil . you’re able to control their size and human body by pruning in winter . Use sharp , clean shear , scissors , or a tongue to remove damaged branches , and dress long outgrowth to a more manageable size of it .
Ficus Audrey is a endearing houseplant , perfect for anyone who need a fiddle - leaf fig without as much hassle . Now that you know how to take charge of one , you ’re ready to add a genus Ficus Audrey to your houseplant collection — or use it to start your collection , if you ’re just starting out . Whether you ’re a beginner or an expert , you ’ll bed this first-class houseplant .