Ficus Audrey (banyan tree) care

Light

Ficus Audrey thrives in bright indirect light — the conditions just back from a sunny window, with plenty of ambient brightness but rarely any direct rays on the leaves themselves. Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun. If you are not sure whether your spot is bright enough, a free phone lux-meter app at midday is the quickest way to check; aim for 800-1,500 lux.

Watering

Water ficus audrey when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Consistent watering prevents leaf drop. Less dramatic than fiddle-leaf fig but still benefits from routine.

Soil and pot

Ficus Audrey grows best in free-draining houseplant mix. Compost with 20-30% perlite and a deep pot for taproots. 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

Ficus Audrey sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 18-26°C (65-80°F). Tolerates average rooms. 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 ficus audrey sparingly. Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks in growing season. 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 ficus audrey in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Leaf drop after a move — Acclimation shock; give 3-4 weeks in one spot.
• Yellowing leaves — Overwatering or sudden change in conditions.
• Brown leaf edges — Low humidity or dry soil.
• Spider mites — Stippling under leaves; rinse and raise humidity.

Propagation

Stem cuttings or air layering during the growing season. 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

Ficus Audrey is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Ficus species as toxic to cats and dogs due to ficin in the milky sap. Causes oral irritation, vomiting, and dermatitis. 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.

Ficus Audrey deep-dive guides

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

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

Related guides

Ficus Audrey is also known as banyan tree, Indian banyan, and Audrey fig.

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• All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library