Audrey Fig (Indian banyan) care

Light

In the wild audrey fig grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Thrives in bright, indirect light and handles a few hours of gentle direct sun better than most figs; it also copes with medium light, though growth slows. Avoid harsh, prolonged midday sun, which can bleach or scorch the soft leaves. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for when the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days for audrey fig, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Water thoroughly and let it drain, allowing the top few centimetres to dry between waterings. More drought-forgiving than the fiddle-leaf fig but still dislikes soggy roots; ease back in winter and water less when growth slows.

Soil and pot

Audrey Fig grows best in well-draining, fertile houseplant mix. A free-draining blend of potting compost with perlite and bark suits it; the mix should hold some moisture but never stay waterlogged. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Audrey Fig sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 18-29°C (65-84°F). Adapts well to average household humidity but appreciates moderate moisture and clean, dust-free leaves. Very dry, heated air can brown leaf edges; mist occasionally or use a humidifier in winter and avoid cold drafts. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed audrey fig sparingly. Feed every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half to full strength; reduce or stop in autumn and winter when growth slows. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on audrey fig in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Leaf drop from inconsistency — Less dramatic than other figs, but Audrey still drops leaves with erratic watering, drafts or sudden moves. Keep care and position consistent.
• Browning leaf edges — Often caused by low humidity, underwatering or a buildup of fertiliser salts. Raise humidity, water more evenly, and flush the soil occasionally.
• Dust on velvety leaves — The matte leaves trap dust easily, dulling them and reducing light capture. Wipe gently with a damp cloth every couple of weeks.
• Spider mites in dry air — Dry, warm conditions invite spider mites, seen as fine webbing and stippled leaves. Increase humidity and treat early with rinsing or insecticidal soap.

Propagation

Propagate by stem-tip cuttings or air-layering in spring and summer. Take a cutting with a node and a leaf or two, rinse the sap, allow it to callus briefly, and root in moist, well-draining mix or water kept warm. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Audrey Fig is toxic to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic, with the toxic principles ficin (a proteolytic enzyme) and ficusin (psoralen) found in the milky sap. Ingestion or sap contact can cause oral and dermal irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and decreased appetite. Keep away from pets and wear gloves when pruning. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Audrey Fig deep-dive guides

Every aspect of audrey fig care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Audrey Fig watering schedule
• Audrey Fig light requirements
• Best soil mix for audrey fig
• Audrey Fig fertilizing guide
• When to repot audrey fig
• How to propagate audrey fig
• Audrey Fig growth rate & size
• Audrey Fig cold hardiness
• Audrey Fig temperature & humidity
• Is audrey fig toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is audrey fig toxic to cats?
• Is audrey fig toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Audrey Fig qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best fast-growing houseplants — Houseplants documented as fast or vigorous growers — quick to fill a pot, cover a pole or trail down a shelf.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Audrey Fig is also commonly called Audrey fig or Indian banyan.

• Monstera care — light, water and common problems
• Pothos care — light, water and common problems
• Fiddle leaf fig care — light, water and common problems
• All 2464 plant care guides in the Growli library