Meet Audrey Ficus, The Fiddle Leaf Fig Alternative That's Much Easier To Grow

If you've ever owned a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), you know the heartbreak of watching the beautiful plant drop its leaves just because you looked at it the wrong way. For years, the fiddle leaf fig has been a must-have houseplant, but let's be honest: it's a total drama queen. But if you're still after a plant with a similar height and jungle-chic vibe but without the downsides of fiddle leaf figs, you should choose the fiddle leaf's cousin: the Audrey Ficus (Ficus benghalensis). This stunning alternative is becoming a more popular swap out for just that reason.

The Audrey Ficus is native to the Pakistan and India area, known there as the Banyan tree. Aside from the totally different drama levels, the leaves are another notable difference between the two. The fiddle leaf fig's leaves are large (up to 18 inches long) and glossy, with a neat violin shape, hence its name. Alternatively, the Audrey's are much smaller (a mere 4 to 10 inches) and oval, with a velvet texture, matte look, and white veins. The other notable difference is in their trunks. The Audrey Ficus's trunk is light colored and smooth-feeling in comparison with the Fiddle Leaf's, which has a brown trunk that's woody yet delicate. Otherwise, they're fairly comparable. Still, we love the Audrey Ficus as it's both beautiful and easy to maintain, regardless of whether you live in an apartment or plan to add it to your home garden — that is, if you live within USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12, of course.

It's no wonder that Figs are among the high-maintenance houseplants people are ditching. Unlike the Fiddle Leaf, which will throw a tantrum if you move it a few inches to the left, an Audrey Ficus is much more forgiving and adaptable. It's happiest with bright, indirect light like its cousin; however, it's far more tolerant of lower-light placement. To keep it happy, put it near a window where it can soak up some sun without getting scorched. It also handles typical home humidity levels quite well, so you won't need to surround it with multiple humidifiers just to keep the edges of the leaves from turning brown, crispy, and sad.

Watering is where the Audrey Ficus truly shines as a low-maintenance queen. While fiddle leaf figs are prone to root rot if they get even slightly too much water, the Audrey prefers a wait-and-see approach. You should let the top couple inches of soil dry out completely before even bothering to reach for the watering can. Because the leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture, they do tend to collect a good amount of dust, so make sure you do a quick wipe down about once a month to keep the plant breathing easily and looking its best. Upgrading to more laid-back houseplants anyone can keep alive is a hack we can't recommend enough! It's such an easy way to enjoy a touch of the tropics without the botanical burnout.