Ficus Audrey

February 15th, 2021

Hey plant friends!

This week we are going to talk about Ficus benghalensis also known as Ficus Audrey. This is a tree native to the Indian subcontinent and is actually the national tree of India. A layer of fuzz lines the leaves and stems of this plant which makes it oh so adorable. “According to legend, the Ficus Audrey is the tree under which the Buddha sat for 49 days to achieve enlightenment.” (Greeneryunlimited.co)

Ficus Audrey aren’t too picky when it comes to light, but they do require a few things. Similar to most Ficus trees, the Audrey is going to want bright light in your home. Direct sun could cause burning on leaves, so make sure the sun isn’t shining directly on it for too long. It’s always a great idea to rotate your plant to ensure the entire plant is getting enough light for consistent and symmetrical growth. In the summer, Ficus Audrey loves to be outside in the shade and will put on considerable growth – 1-2 feet is possible!

Ficus Audrey prefers a soil that is evenly moist. Allow the top 2”-3” of soil to dry between watering. Use your finger (your built in water meter) to test the soil for water needs. As always, we never want our plants sitting in standing water. So, if you have dropped your grower pot into a decorative container with a saucer inside, make sure to empty out that excess water from its bottom tray.

Ficus Audrey need a rich, well-draining soil. Tonka Terra with added perlite will work great!

Hot tip: plants with fuzzy leaves don’t like leaf shine, so only clean the leaves with a damp cloth.

We currently carry Ficus Audrey at the greenhouse in 6” and 14” pots. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy planting!