Ficus benghalensis
Ficus benghalensis (Audrey) Care Guide
Featured photoficus-audrey.jpgFicus benghalensis is the Indian banyan, the national tree of India and a giant strangler fig in nature. Sold as a houseplant under the trade name Audrey, it has soft, velvety, pale-green leaves with prominent ivory veins. It is more forgiving than the fiddle leaf fig and tolerates ordinary indoor conditions better, making it a popular alternative for the same large-tree look.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 3 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 40–60 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite or bark.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Milky latex sap can irritate skin and mouth. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Ficus listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Forests of the Indian subcontinent.
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall indoors; very large outdoors.
Overview
Ficus benghalensis is the largest tree in the world by canopy area in some specimens, with aerial roots descending from spreading branches and rooting to form a forest of trunks. Indoor plants are juveniles and stay slim and manageable.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light from a south or east window.
- Steady watering rhythm — banyans are slightly more forgiving than fiddle leaf figs but still dislike erratic care.
- Wipe the velvety leaves gently with a soft cloth; leaf-shine sprays mat the surface.
- Stable temperatures above 15 °C.
Common Problems
Yellow lower leaves are usually overwatering. Brown crispy edges are dry air. Sudden leaf drop is a stress reaction to a move or temperature swing.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Audrey vs fiddle leaf fig — which is easier?
Audrey is more forgiving in most homes — it tolerates a wider range of light and watering than Ficus lyrata.
Are the leaves really velvety?
Yes — Ficus benghalensis leaves have a soft, almost peach-skin texture, especially on new growth. The fiddle leaf fig is glossy by comparison.
Will it really grow huge?
Indoor plants stay 2 to 3 metres maximum because of pot size and indoor light. The wild banyan size requires open ground.
