Maintenance Landscaping Design

Ficus audrey is a popular indoor plant that is known for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in most indoor environments. The ficus audrey has glossy, dark green leaves and can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Also known as

• Rubber tree
  
• Weeping fig
  
• Indian rubber tree
  
• Java fig
  
• Chinese banyan

Things to Know

• Ficus audrey is a species of fig tree native to tropical regions of Asia.
  
• It is a evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 m tall.
  
• The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong-elliptic in shape with a entire margin.
  
• The tree produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that grow in clusters.
  
• The fruit is a small, round, black drupe.
  
• Ficus audrey is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
  
• It is also used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases.
  
• The tree is also known to be a host plant for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.
  
• Ficus audrey is susceptible to fungal diseases such as rust and black spot.
  
• It is also known to be a source of food for some animals such as monkeys, birds, and bats.

Related plant:
Ficus Variegata

Growing Steps

1. For ficus audrey, first step is to start with a young tree that is about 3 feet tall.
   
2. Place the tree in an area where it will receive full sun.
   
3. Water the tree regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
   
4. Fertilize the tree every two weeks using a balanced fertilizer.
   
5. Prune the tree regularly to encourage new growth.
   
6. When the tree is 6-8 feet tall, you can begin to train it to grow in a certain shape or form.
   
7. Once the tree reaches its desired height, you can begin to harvest its leaves for use in salads or other dishes.
   
8. If you wish, you can also allow the tree to produce fruit.
   
9. Enjoy your healthy and beautiful ficus audrey tree!

Soil Condition

About soil condition, ficus audrey prefers well-drained soils with a high organic matter content. They are not particular about soil pH, but prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil. They will not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils.

About light

So, like the other ficus trees, the ficus audrey requires bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. If you notice the leaves of your ficus audrey starting to turn yellow or brown, this is a sign that it's not getting enough sunlight. Move your tree to a spot where it will receive bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for a ficus audrey is one that is warm and humid. This plant does not like to be in direct sunlight, so a spot that gets some sun in the morning and then is shaded in the afternoon would be ideal. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves of the plant will start to droop.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60%. Avoid direct sunlight and provide indirect light instead. Place the plant near a window where it can get bright, indirect light. Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch, and be sure to empty the drainage tray to prevent the roots from sitting in water.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant needs a lot of nitrogen, and you can use any organic fertilizer. For the best results, use a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10. When it comes to the roots, ficus Audrey has a very strong root system, so you don't need to worry about it.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your ficus audrey healthy and looking its best. Pruning can help to encourage new growth, remove dead or damaged branches, andshape the plant. When pruning your ficus audrey, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to make clean cuts, as ragged cuts can damage the plant. You can prune your ficus audrey as needed, but it is generally best to do so in the early spring.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is best done by taking stem cuttings in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from young, healthy growth and should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long. The bottom 2 inches (5 cm) of the cutting should be placed in a rooting hormone before being inserted into a potting mix. The pot should be kept moist and in a warm, bright location. Roots should form within 4-6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate between 2 to 4 inches per year, regardless of the growing conditions. They are generally slow-growing trees. There are many different types of ficus audrey, and the growth rate of each one can vary slightly. The best way to determine the growth rate of your ficus audrey is to ask your local nursery or gardening center.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are brown leaves, wilting leaves, and root rot. The best way to deal with these problems is to water the plant deeply and regularly, fertilize it monthly, and prune it regularly. If the plant is in a pot, make sure that the pot has drainage holes. If the plant is in the ground, make sure that the soil is well-drained.

List to Know

• Do not forget to water your ficus audrey plant regularly. The plant cannot tolerate drought conditions.
  
• Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  
• Place the plant in an area with bright indirect sunlight.
  
• Fertilize the plant every month during spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune the plant as needed to shape it and encourage new growth.
  
• Be careful not to over-water the plant as this can lead to root rot.
  
• The plant may drop its leaves if the environment is too dry or if the plant is stressed.
  
• If the leaves start to turn yellow, this is a sign of over-watering.
  
• Keep an eye out for pests such as mealybugs and spider mites.
  
• The plant can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings in water or moist soil.

You May Like

• Ficus benghalensis
  
• Ficus brachypoda
  
• Ficus buxifolia
  
• Ficus cacaofeitensis
  
• Ficus cyclophylla
  
• Ficus exasperata
  
• Ficus fistulosa
  
• Ficus fistulosa v. daltonii
  
• Ficus ginseng
  
• Ficus lutea

Source:
| Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS
Ficus Whitefly | Center for Invasive Species Research
Weeping Ficus | Home & Garden Information Center