Home > The Audrey Ficus: A Comprehensive Guide to Cultivating the Majestic Banyan Tree

The Audrey Ficus: A Guide to the Indoor Banyan Tree

Everything you need to know about the Audrey Ficus (Ficus benghalensis), from its wild origins to keeping it happy in your living room. No fluff, just the good stuff.
Disclaimer: Images on this page are for illustration and inspiration. They represent common houseplants and indoor garden styles, not specific homes or plant collections.

So, you've got an Audrey Ficus. Or you want one. Good choice. This tree, a type of Banyan, is a stunner and way less fussy than its cousin, the Fiddle Leaf Fig. Here’s the lowdown on how it grows in the wild and how to keep it from having a meltdown in your house.

A healthy Audrey Ficus plant with vibrant green leaves and a pale trunk, thriving in a well-lit living room.

Meet the Audrey Ficus

In India and Pakistan grows a tree of legendary size: Ficus benghalensis , or the Banyan Tree. 1 Its sprawling canopy can cover several acres, providing shelter for entire communities. 2 It’s the national tree of India and is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, sometimes called the Kalpavriksha or "wish-fulfilling tree." 5 Ancient texts even describe it as a cosmic tree with its roots in the heavens, bringing blessings to humankind. 2

Here’s the wild part. Ficus benghalensis starts its life not in the soil, but high in the branches of another tree, where a bird drops a seed. 2 It grows as an epiphyte, sending down aerial roots that cascade towards the earth. 9 Once these roots hit the ground, they thicken into pillar-like trunks, allowing the Banyan to eventually "strangle" its host and stand alone as a colossal, multi-trunked grove that is actually a single plant. 3

A massive, sprawling Banyan tree in India, showing its multiple pillar-like aerial roots that have formed new trunks.

The 'Audrey' Ficus in your local plant shop is a specific version of this monster tree, selected for its good looks and ability to behave indoors. 1 It has a pale, smooth trunk and large, leathery, emerald-green leaves. Unlike other Ficus plants, Audrey's leaves have a unique velvety, matte finish with prominent, creamy-white veins. 14

People often choose the Audrey over its popular cousin, the Fiddle Leaf Fig ( Ficus lyrata ). It's just... easier. The Audrey is far more forgiving of minor care mistakes and doesn't drop its leaves if you look at it wrong. 15

How to Keep It Alive

Light

Your Audrey needs lots of bright, indirect light, at least six to eight hours a day. 17 An east-facing window is often perfect, offering gentle morning sun. A spot a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window, or behind a sheer curtain, also works well. 17

Too little light will cause the plant to get "leggy," stretching its stems and leaving sad gaps between the leaves. 20 Too much direct sun will scorch the velvety leaves, leaving permanent brown, crispy patches. 16

An Audrey Ficus placed a few feet away from a large, sunny window with a sheer curtain, demonstrating ideal bright, indirect light.

Water

Think like a monsoon cycle: a big downpour followed by a distinct dry spell. 17 When it's time to water, do it thoroughly, letting water flow freely from the pot's drainage holes. After this drenching, allow the top two to three inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. 16

This cycle prevents the roots from sitting in soggy soil, which leads to root rot. 19 Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, check the soil moisture with your finger every few days. 17 If your tap water is very hard, using filtered or distilled water can prevent mineral buildup on the leaves. 16

Root Rot Risk: The most common mistake is overwatering. Always let the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out completely. When in doubt, wait another day before watering.

Soil and Pot

Since this plant starts life on other trees, its roots need air. The potting mix must be light, chunky, and well-aerated. 17 A quality indoor potting mix amended with perlite, orchid bark, and coco coir creates the perfect structure. 24 A pot with at least one drainage hole is absolutely essential. 17

Repotting is usually needed every one to two years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes. 19 The best time to do this is in the spring or summer, during the plant's active growing period.

A close-up of a well-draining potting mix suitable for an Audrey Ficus, showing chunks of perlite and orchid bark.

Temperature and Humidity

The Audrey Ficus likes warm and humid conditions, between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). 17 More importantly, it hates sudden environmental shifts. Cold drafts from windows or hot air from heating vents are primary triggers for sudden leaf drop. 22

It also appreciates humidity levels above 50%. 17 To boost humidity, you can group it with other plants, place it on a pebble tray with water, or use a small humidifier nearby. 17 Misting provides only a temporary benefit and can encourage fungal problems if there's poor airflow. 17

Stability is Key: The Audrey Ficus hates sudden changes. Keep it away from drafts from open windows, air conditioning units, or heating vents to prevent stress and leaf drop.

Fertilizer

During the spring and summer growing season, feed your Audrey to support new growth. 21 Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, once a month to moist soil to avoid burning the roots. As growth slows in fall and winter, you should stop fertilizing unless you see it actively pushing out new leaves. 17

What's Wrong With My Plant?

The Audrey Ficus is pretty good at telling you what's wrong. Most problems come down to light and water.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves, or chlorosis, can mean a few things. If the lower, older leaves are turning yellow, possibly with soft brown spots, you're almost certainly overwatering. 16 If leaves are turning a bright, uniform yellow and feel crispy, the plant is likely underwatered. 19 It's also normal for the single oldest, lowest leaf to occasionally yellow and fall off as the plant matures. 24

A close-up of an Audrey Ficus leaf that is turning yellow, a common sign of overwatering.

Curling Leaves

When leaves curl inward, it’s a clear sign of thirst or low humidity. 32 The plant is reducing its leaf surface area to conserve moisture. 34 Downward curling or general drooping, however, often points to overwatering, as damaged roots can no longer absorb water to keep the leaves rigid. 25

Sudden Leaf Drop

The classic Ficus tantrum. A seemingly healthy plant suddenly drops a pile of leaves. This is a survival mechanism triggered by environmental stress. 23 The main cause is change, like moving the plant, repotting, or a sudden draft. 28 Identify the source of stress, correct it, and maintain a stable environment, it will almost always recover.

Pests

Spider mites are tiny pests that thrive in dry conditions and leave fine, silky webbing and tiny yellow dots on leaves. 40 Mealybugs look like small, white, cottony masses where leaves join the stem. 43 Scale insects look like small, hard, brown bumps on stems and the undersides of leaves. 46

To treat these pests, first isolate the plant. Manually remove as many as you can by wiping the leaves or using a jet of water. Then, treat the entire plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil, repeating every week for several weeks to kill them all. 21

A magnified view of an Audrey Ficus leaf infested with spider mites, showing fine webbing and tiny specks.

Making More Plants (and Shaping Yours)

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate an Audrey Ficus is through stem cuttings. 17 Using sharp, clean shears, cut a healthy four to six-inch stem just below a node, the small bump where a leaf emerges. Your cutting should have at least two leaves.

Remove the lowest leaf to expose the node. You can then place the cutting in a glass of water, changing the water every few days, until roots about an inch long appear. 17 Alternatively, dip the base in rooting hormone and plant it directly into moist potting mix. 24

An Audrey Ficus stem cutting with new white roots growing from the node, placed in a clear glass of water.

Pruning and Shaping

Pruning is the main way to shape your Audrey Ficus into a lush, tree-like form. The tip of each main stem contains a bud that produces hormones that stop side branches from growing. 32 By snipping off this top bud, you lift the suppression, signaling dormant buds along the stem to grow into new branches. 24, 32

The best time to prune is during the spring or summer growing season. Use clean, sharp shears, and be prepared for a sticky, milky-white sap to ooze from the cuts. This sap can irritate skin, so wearing gloves is a good idea. 19

Caution: Sticky Sap: When pruning, the Ficus will bleed a milky white sap. This sap can be a skin irritant, so it's best to wear gloves and protect your surfaces.

Good to Know

Toxicity

Pet & Human Warning: This is critical: Ficus benghalensis is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. 13 The milky white sap contains compounds that can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. 1, 52 Contact with the sap can also cause a skin rash. 1 Place the plant where curious pets and small children can't reach it.

Size and Growth

Your Audrey Ficus won't grow to cover several acres in your living room. When grown in a container indoors, it typically reaches a height of five to ten feet. 17 A healthy plant can grow about one foot per year. 14 You can easily control its ultimate size through regular pruning.

Works cited

  1. Ficus benghalensis (Ara Banyan, Banyan Tree, Bengal Fig, East Indian Fig Tree, Indian Banyan Tree, Strangler Fig) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-benghalensis/
  2. The majesty and mystery of India's sacred banyan trees | Under The ..., https://underthebanyan.blog/2016/09/23/the-majesty-and-mystery-of-indias-sacred-banyan-trees/
  3. Banyan - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan
  4. Ficus benghalensis - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_benghalensis
  5. Sanctified Trees (Ficus religiosa and Ficus benghalensis) in India: A Significance and Analogous Mythology - International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, https://journalijpss.com/index.php/IJPSS/article/view/5067
  6. Sanctified Trees (Ficus religiosa and Ficus benghalensis) in India - A Significance and Analogous Mythology - AWS, https://sdiopr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/2024/Oct/29-Oct-24--2nd%20Time/2024_IJPSS_112379/Rev_IJPSS_112379_Cha_A.pdf
  7. INDIA: On the Banyan Tree - earthstOriez, https://earthstoriez.com/india-banyan-legend-myth-use
  8. plants.ces.ncsu.edu, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-benghalensis/#:~:text=It%20begins%20as%20an%20epiphyte,since%20being%20introduced%20in%20Florida.
  9. Ficus benghalensis (banyan) | CABI Compendium, https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.24066
  10. Ficus benghalensis - Plant Detail - Tropical Plants Database, https://ntbg.org/database/plants/detail/Ficus-benghalensis
  11. Ficus benghalensis - | Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS, https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/ficus-benghalensis/
  12. Photosynthesis in hemiepiphytic species of Clusia and Ficus - Department of Biology - University of Miami, https://www.biology.as.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/sternberg-lab/photosynthesis-in-hemiphiphytic-species.pdf
  13. Ficus Altissima vs. Audrey - A-Z Animals, https://a-z-animals.com/blog/ficus-altissima-vs-audrey/
  14. Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey' - The Palm Centre, https://palmcentre.co.uk/products/indoor-plants/ficus/ficus-benghalensis-audrey/
  15. Learn All About Ficus Trees - stump plants, https://stumpplants.com/journal/2017/1/17/an-introduction-to-ficus-trees
  16. Ficus 'Audrey' (or Bengal Fig) Care Guide - PlantVine, https://www.plantvine.com/2021/01/15/ficus-audrey-or-bengal-fig-care-guide/
  17. Ficus Benghalensis Care Guide - Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource Center, https://fiddleleaffigplant.com/ficus-benghalensis-care-guide/
  18. How to Care for Your Fiddle Leaf Fig - Dennis' 7 Dees | Landscaping Services & Garden Centers, https://dennis7dees.com/how-to-care-for-your-fiddle-leaf-fig/
  19. Ficus Audrey aka Ficus benghalensis Care - Greenery Unlimited, https://greeneryunlimited.co/blogs/plant-care/ficus-audrey-care
  20. www.mahoneysgarden.com, https://www.mahoneysgarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ficus-benghalensis-Ficus-Audrey-1.pdf
  21. Ficus Audrey | PlantVine, https://www.plantvine.com/product/ficus-audrey-bengal-fig/
  22. Ficus Audrey Care Instructions for the Perfect Indoor Tree! - Plantify, https://plantify.co.za/pages/ficus-audrey-care-instructions
  23. Why Is My Ficus Dropping Leaves - Plants For All Seasons, https://www.plantsforallseasons.co.uk/blogs/ficus-care/why-is-my-ficus-dropping-leaves-and-how-to-solve-it
  24. How to Grow and Care for Ficus Audrey - The Spruce, https://www.thespruce.com/ficus-audrey-care-guide-5221681
  25. Ficus Audrey: The 1 Best Fiddle Leaf Fig Alternative! - Ohio Tropics, https://www.ohiotropics.com/2020/02/07/ficus-audrey-care/
  26. Ficus Audrey (Ficus benghalensis) Tree - The Hindu Sacred Banyan - Healthy Houseplants, https://www.healthyhouseplants.com/indoor-houseplants/ficus-audrey-ficus-benghalensis-tree-the-hindu-sacred-banyan/
  27. How to Revive an Audrey Ficus - YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLC92B82kcg
  28. Ficus February: Our Five Favorite Figs | Platt Hill Nursery | Blog & Advice, https://platthillnursery.com/our-five-favorite-figs/
  29. Ficus Dropping Leaves? 8 Common Causes & How To Fix Them - Gardening Know How, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-losing-leaves.htm
  30. Ficus Audrey, Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey', Monrovia Plant, https://www.monrovia.com/ficus-audrey.html
  31. Ficus benghalensis Audrey - Bengal Fig Indoor Plants - hortology, https://hortology.co.uk/products/ficus-benghalensis-audrey-bengal-fig
  32. A Complete Guide to Caring for the Ficus Audrey Plant - Nick's Garden Center, https://nicksgardencenter.com/gardening-blog/a-complete-guide-to-caring-for-the-ficus-audrey-plant/
  33. 8 direct reasons why indoor plant leaves curl inward - Greenboog's, https://greenboog.com/8-direct-reasons-indoor-plant-leaves-curl-inward/
  34. Bonsai Leaf Curl: Identifying Causes & Troubleshooting Solutions, https://www.bonsaitreegardener.net/care/bonsai-leaf-curl-identifying-causes
  35. What does this mean?! Leaves curling downward? : r/houseplants - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/comments/npcwx1/what_does_this_mean_leaves_curling_downward/
  36. Ficus Leaf Curl/New Growth #153161 - Ask Extension, https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=153161
  37. Why is My Ficus Tree Dropping Leaves? - Epic Gardening, https://www.epicgardening.com/ficus-dropping-leaves/
  38. Why Is My Ficus Dropping Leaves? | Gardener's Path, https://gardenerspath.com/plants/houseplants/ficus-leaf-drop/
  39. 4 Reasons Why Your Ficus Suddenly Dropped Its Leaves - Southern Living, https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/why-your-ficus-tree-just-dropped-its-leaves
  40. How We Happily Grow Ficus Audrey Plants! - ukhouseplants, https://www.ukhouseplants.com/plants/ficus-audrey-benghalensis
  41. How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Indoor Plants - La Résidence, https://blog.leonandgeorge.com/posts/how-to-get-rid-of-spider-mites
  42. How to recognize and manage spider mites in the home garden | OSU Extension Service, https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/how-recognize-manage-spider-mites-home-garden
  43. Mealybugs - Wisconsin Horticulture, https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/mealybugs-2/
  44. Any idea what this white stuff is on my Audrey Ficus? Some looks like fuzz/webs, but some look like bugs. : r/houseplants - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/comments/199wd2u/any_idea_what_this_white_stuff_is_on_my_audrey/
  45. Another Try: Ficus benjamina vs. Mealybugs! | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, https://ucanr.edu/blog/hort-coco-uc-master-gardener-program-contra-costa/article/another-try-ficus-benjamina-vs
  46. Scale / leaves growing weird on ficus Audrey : r/plantclinic - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/1001ao8/scale_leaves_growing_weird_on_ficus_audrey/
  47. How to treat scale on houseplants - YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub1SbfgNoAA
  48. How can I fight scale on my indoor ficus tree? - NYBG Mertz Library Reference, https://libanswers.nybg.org/faq/223235
  49. How to Get Rid of Mealybugs: 8 Easy Methods - The Spruce, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-control-mealybugs-1902890
  50. How should I shape my Ficus benghalensis (Audrey)? - Houzz, https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5972917/how-should-i-shape-my-ficus-benghalensis-audrey
  51. Friend gave me this plant as a gift. Does not know what it is, but I have cats so I need to know if it's poisonous to them or not. Leaves are thick and velvety : r/whatsthisplant - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisplant/comments/rbfc66/friend_gave_me_this_plant_as_a_gift_does_not_know/
  52. Is Ficus Poisonous? - Plant Addicts, https://plantaddicts.com/is-ficus-poisonous/
  53. Fig | ASPCA, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/fig
  54. Toxicity of House Plants to Pet Animals - PMC - PubMed Central, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10220692/
  55. Ficus Audrey For Sale - Easyplant, https://easyplant.com/care/ficus-audrey
  56. How Fast Do Ficus Audrey Trees (Ficus Benghalensis 'Audrey' House Plants) Grow?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXqSvEIajA