Ficus Benghalensis Audrey
Ficus Benghalensis Audrey is an elegant plant with large, glossy leaves that adds a tropical feel to your interior. Perfect for those looking for a stylish and low-maintenance green accent. Ficus Benghalensis Audrey is an elegant plant with large, glossy le...
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Ficus Benghalensis houseplants
The Ficus Benghalensis, also called the Indian fig tree or strangler fig, is a remarkable houseplant with exotic origins. It comes from the tropical regions of India and Sri Lanka and is known for its large, glossy leaves and lush growth. In the wild this plant can grow into an enormous tree, but indoors it keeps a more manageable, elegant shape that suits larger rooms and offices perfectly.
Is the Ficus Benghalensis toxic?
The Ficus Benghalensis is toxic if eaten. The sap of the plant can cause stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhoea when swallowed. So take extra care if you have pets or small children at home. Would you like a green houseplant with no risk at all? In that case, take a look at our pet-friendly houseplants.
How do I care for a Ficus Benghalensis?
The Ficus Benghalensis is relatively easy to look after. The plant likes a bright spot, but try to keep it out of direct sun in summer, which can scorch the leaves. Keep the soil evenly moist, but watch out for excess water. The plant does best at room temperatures between 18 and 24°C and enjoys being misted regularly, which keeps the humidity around it nice and high.
Watering the strangler fig
The Ficus Benghalensis likes slightly moist soil. Water the plant every week, but always feel the soil first. Is it still damp? Then it is better to wait before watering again. Once your plant has been repotted, it is important to use a soil moisture sensor or moisture meter. A sign of too much water is often yellowing leaves and a greater risk of root rot, which you can pick up from a musty smell or wet, muddy soil. If the leaves turn brown and drop, that can point to too little water.
Misting the leaves with a plant mister helps remove dust and gives an extra dose of moisture, especially in drier spells or in a heated room. There is no need to mist the plant every day, though. Make sure the plant sits in free-draining potting soil so the roots stay in good health.
What is the best spot for a Ficus Benghalensis Audrey?
The Ficus Benghalensis Audrey does best in a bright location with plenty of daylight. Avoid too much direct sun, because it can scorch the leaves and cause brown patches. The Ficus copes with partial shade, but too little light slows its growth and makes the leaves drop. Keep it away from cold draughts and sudden changes in temperature too.
Feeding the Ficus Benghalensis
Giving the Ficus Benghalensis extra plant food is recommended to encourage healthy growth. During the growing season, from spring to early autumn, you can give the plant a balanced liquid houseplant food every 4 to 6 weeks. In winter, when the plant is resting, there is no need to feed it. Stop feeding in the colder months so the plant does not take in more nutrients than it can use. Feeding regularly and at the right time supports the healthy growth and the good looks of your Ficus Benghalensis.
Pruning and taking cuttings from the Ficus Benghalensis
Pruning your Ficus helps keep both its shape and its health. It is usually needed to keep the Ficus compact and attractive and to remove dead or damaged leaves. Spring is the best time, when the plant is growing actively. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to cut away branches and leaves that are too big, damaged or unwanted. Clean the plant's cuts afterwards to prevent infection.
You can take cuttings from the Ficus Benghalensis to propagate new plants. Cut off healthy young branches about 10-15 cm long with at least one or two leaves. Remove the lower leaves and plant the cuttings in a pot of free-draining potting soil. Keep them somewhere warm and bright with indirect sunlight and keep the soil slightly moist. After a few weeks the cuttings should develop roots and be ready to move into a bigger pot.
Repotting the strangler fig
You can repot the Ficus Benghalensis when it outgrows its current pot. When you choose a new pot, make sure it is always around 20% bigger than the old one. Give the plant enough room and it will grow bigger. The best time to repot the Ficus is in spring, because any damaged roots recover faster then. After that, repot every 2 years for the best growth.
Dealing with diseases and pests
Like other houseplants, the Ficus Benghalensis can suffer from pests such as mealybug and from root rot. Mealybug shows up as white, sticky, woolly tufts on the leaves and stems. Remove them with a cotton bud soaked in alcohol and treat the plant with an insecticide made specially for mealybug.
Root rot is caused by overwatering and leaves the roots brown and soft. Make sure you do not water too much and that the potting soil is free-draining. If you find root rot, repot the plant in fresh potting soil and cut away the affected roots.
Check your plant regularly and act quickly when something is wrong, to keep your Ficus Benghalensis in good health.
Order your Ficus Benghalensis at Green Bubble
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At Green Bubble you benefit from fast delivery, expert tips and an easy-to-use webshop. We make sure your Ficus Benghalensis arrives quickly and safely at your door, and we are happy to send you handy care tips for healthy growth. Do not wait any longer. Visit our website and order your Ficus Benghalensis at Green Bubble today.
