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Plant care

Ficus Audrey (banyan tree) care

Ficus benghalensis

Also called banyan tree, Indian banyan, Audrey fig.

RHS H1cUSDA 10-12Toxic to petsIndoor 1.5-2.5 m indoors

Watering rhythm

7-10days

When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Free-draining houseplant mix

Humidity

40-60%

Temp

18-26°C

Pet safety

Toxic to pets

Mature size

1.5-2.5 m indoors

Care at a glance

Light

Bright but filtered. Ficus Audrey burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering ficus audrey: when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. 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 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 care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Ficus benghalensis?

Ficus benghalensis is most commonly called Ficus Audrey, but it is also known as banyan tree, Indian banyan, Audrey fig. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Ficus Audrey apply identically to anything sold as banyan tree.

How much light does ficus audrey need?

Ficus Audrey grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun.

How often should I water ficus audrey?

Water ficus audrey when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. Consistent watering prevents leaf drop. Less dramatic than fiddle-leaf fig but still benefits from routine. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is ficus audrey toxic to cats and dogs?

Ficus Audrey is 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.

What USDA hardiness zone does ficus audrey grow in?

Ficus Audrey is rated for USDA zone 10-12 (indoor in most US homes) and RHS hardiness H1c. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Ficus Audrey deep-dive guides

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

Featured in these plant shortlists

Ficus Audrey qualifies for 2 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

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