Best Light Exposure for Ficus Audrey Plants

For optimal growth, Ficus Audrey plants require bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day. From experience, my plants don’t tolerate prolonged periods of direct sun or low lights. A good location is a few feet away from the south or west-facing window, protected by sheer blinds or lace curtains.

The Role Light Plays in Ficus Audry Plant Health

Light has a direct influence on plant flowering and growth. It induces photosynthesis, which is when plants absorb water, light, and CO2, converting it into oxygen and energy (a sugar called glucose). Plants are light-dependent and need to produce their food source, glucose, and this, in turn, induces the plant’s growing cycle and allows it to develop healthily.

Ficus Audrey plants (aka Ficus benghalensis or Banyan trees) can utilize both artificial and natural light to photosynthesize. Artificial light, in the form of high-intensity discharge lamps, incandescent, LED, or fluorescent lights, will work almost as well as natural light. However, natural light is optimal for the initial stages of plants’ life. 

Common Light Terminology

How much light a plant requires for photosynthesis will depend on its species. There are several different kinds of light requirements we will discuss some of them below:

• Direct sunlight: direct sunlight is when a plant is situated directly in the sunlight; the light would equal more than 20 watts; place your plant in the south or southwest-facing window to get optimal direct sunlight
• Partial light: partial sunlight is when you place a plant in direct sunlight for only parts of the day, for example, only in the evening or the morning; the best place to get this form of light is in the west or east-facing window
• Bright indirect sunlight: this is when your plant receives good sunlight that doesn’t touch any of its leaves; the best place to receive this kind of light is a few feet away from a south-facing window
• Filtered light: filtered light is when a plant receives sunlight through a filter such as a sheer or lace curtain or shade cloth
• Low-light: low-light is when plants require no to little direct sunlight; the light would equal 10 – 15 watts; the best place to achieve this would be in a dark corner or near a north-facing window

Typical Light Conditions Ficus Audrey Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats

Ficus Audrey plants grow in full direct sunlight in their native habitats in warm and humid growing zones. They grow very tall outdoors, providing canopy coverage in their native forests. As they are positioned right at the top of the canopy, they receive excellent direct sunlight throughout the day.

Signs Your Plant Is Receiving Too Much Light

Your Ficus Audrey plant will let you know that it is getting too much sunlight by its leaves drying up and dropping off. This plant can handle direct sunlight for a few hours a day as its natural habitat provides it with full direct sunlight throughout the day. 

If your Ficus Audrey is in an area that receives lots of direct sunlight, keep an eye on its leaves. If they show scorch marks or are starting to dry out, moving your plant to an area that receives good indirect sunlight would be good.

Signs Your Plant Isn’t Receiving Enough Light

Ficus Audrey plants do not handle low lighting well as they come from a natural habitat that receives good direct sunlight all day. A common side effect of not receiving enough light is when your Ficus Audreys leaves start to turn yellow and drop off. Another sign that your Ficus Audrey is not getting enough light is if it continuously produces small new leaves.

The Best Light Exposure for Ficus Audrey Plants Grown Indoors

Ficus Audrey plants thrive in bright indirect sunlight or areas where they get up to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. They do not grow well in areas that receive low light or too much shade. 

For best results, you should place your Ficus Audrey plant in rich, moisture-retentive soil mix a few feet away from a south-facing window or in a west-facing window. To allow your plant to grow evenly, you should turn it slightly once a week, letting different parts of your plant face the window. You’ll also need to consider repotting your Ficus Audrey plant every 18 months or so once it’s outgrown the current potting vessel.

I find that prolonged periods of direct sunlight or low light conditions can adversely affect a Ficus Audrey. I’ve observed everything from leaf loss, stunted growth, and scorching or yellowing leaves.

Suppose you find that your house does not receive the right amount of light for your Ficus Audrey’s optimal health and growth, especially in the winter months. In that case, you can always install artificial lighting, such as fluorescent or incandescent lights. Remember to turn your artificial light off at night to provide the correct nighttime simulation for your Ficus Audrey.

Ficus Audrey Light Requirements FAQs:

Wrapping Up

Ficus Audrey plants require bright indirect sunlight. The best position in your house to give your plant these lighting requirements is to place it a few feet away from the south or west-facing windows. Try to keep your plant away from low-lighting areas as they do not survive well in these conditions. You can expect your Ficus Audrey to grow around 5 – 10 feet tall in optimal conditions.

For more, see our in-depth guide on the best soil for Ficus Audrey plants.