Audrey Ficus

How to care for Audrey Ficus

Light

Ficus benghalensis thrives in bright, indirect light and will do best positioned near a south- or east-facing window where it receives several hours of filtered sunlight each day. Some direct morning sun is tolerated and can encourage compact, vigorous growth, but harsh afternoon sun through glass may scorch the leaves. Low light is tolerated for short periods but leads to leggy growth and reduced leaf size; if only a dim position is available, supplemental grow lighting is advisable.

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top 2-3 cm of the compost feels dry to the touch, then allow excess water to drain freely and never leave the pot standing in water for extended periods. Overwatering is the most common error and leads rapidly to root rot; the thick leaves store some moisture, so it is better to err slightly on the dry side. Reduce watering frequency in autumn and winter when growth slows, and always use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the roots.

Soil and potting

A free-draining, peat-free compost is ideal. A suitable mix consists of a good-quality general-purpose or houseplant compost combined with approximately 20-30% perlite or coarse horticultural grit to improve drainage and aeration. Avoid heavy, water-retentive soils, as these greatly increase the risk of anaerobic conditions around the roots. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0 suits this species well.

Feeding

Feed once a month during the active growing season from April to September using a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser diluted to the manufacturer's recommended strength. A fertiliser with an equal NPK ratio or one slightly higher in nitrogen supports healthy foliage development. Cease feeding entirely in autumn and winter when the plant is not actively growing, as excess fertiliser salts can accumulate in the compost and damage the roots.

Humidity and temperature

Ficus benghalensis prefers moderate to high humidity, ideally above 50%, which better replicates the tropical and subtropical conditions of its native range. Brown leaf edges are often a sign of excessively dry air, particularly during winter when central heating is in use. Group plants together, use a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot, or run a humidifier nearby to raise ambient moisture. Keep the plant away from cold draughts, heating vents, and radiators, and maintain temperatures between 16 and 27°C; prolonged exposure to temperatures below 13°C causes stress and potential leaf drop.

Repotting

Repot in spring when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or circle visibly at the base, typically every one to two years for younger plants. Choose a new pot only one size larger, as an oversized container holds excess moisture and increases the risk of root rot. Use fresh, well-draining compost when repotting and water in gently afterwards. Mature specimens can be kept in the same pot and given a top-dressing of fresh compost annually instead.

Pruning

Pruning is primarily carried out to control size, improve shape, or remove any dead, damaged, or crossing stems. The best time to prune is in spring at the start of the growing season, though light tidying can be done at any point. Wear gloves when cutting, as the stems exude a milky white latex sap that can irritate skin and stain surfaces. Make clean cuts just above a leaf node using sterilised scissors or secateurs, and wipe the blade between cuts to avoid spreading any disease.

Is Audrey Ficus toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Stem cuttings

Take a cutting 10-15 cm long with at least two nodes and one or two leaves, allow the cut end to dry briefly to reduce latex flow, then place it in moist perlite or a propagation mix. Keep in a warm location with high humidity, ideally using a propagation dome, and roots should form within 4-8 weeks.

Air layering

Select a healthy stem and remove a ring of bark roughly 3-4 cm wide, dust with rooting hormone powder, then wrap the wound tightly in damp sphagnum moss secured with clear polythene film. Once a visible root ball has formed through the polythene, typically after 4-8 weeks, cut below the roots and pot the new plant into fresh compost.

Where Audrey Ficus comes from

Native to Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, southern China, Myanmar.

Story and origins

The genus name Ficus is the classical Latin word for the fig tree or its fruit, used by Roman authors including Pliny the Elder. The species epithet benghalensis refers to Bengal, the historical region encompassing much of what is now Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, which formed part of the plant's known native range when it was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum of 1753. The common name 'banyan' entered English through Portuguese banian, itself from Gujarati vaniyo (a merchant or trader of the Bania caste), reflecting early European observations of traders sheltering and conducting commerce beneath these enormous trees along the Indian coast.

Ficus benghalensis has been documented in Indian culture for several thousand years and appears in ancient Sanskrit texts as well as in Buddhist and Hindu religious iconography. Alexander the Great's army is recorded by Greek historians as having sheltered thousands of soldiers beneath a single enormous banyan tree during their Indian campaign in the fourth century BCE. The species was brought to the attention of European botanists during the colonial period and was formally described by Linnaeus in 1753. In the context of indoor horticulture, Ficus benghalensis gained significant popularity in Western markets from around 2017 onwards, largely driven by social media, as plant enthusiasts sought an alternative to the demanding Ficus lyrata. Its relatively forgiving nature and striking foliage secured its status as one of the most sought-after houseplants of the early 2020s.

Varieties to know

Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'

The cultivar most commonly sold under the Audrey Ficus name; features notably broad, velvety leaves with clear pale veining and a compact growth habit suited to indoor cultivation.

Ficus benghalensis 'Krishna'

Distinctive cultivar in which the leaf blade curls inward to form a cup-like shape; rarely available but prized by collectors.

Fun facts

• The Ficus benghalensis specimen growing in the Indian Botanical Garden in Howrah, West Bengal, is considered one of the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage, spreading over approximately 14,500 square metres.
• The species is the national tree of India, where it holds deep cultural and religious significance, particularly in Hinduism, being associated with the god Shiva and regarded as a symbol of immortality.
• In the wild, Ficus benghalensis frequently begins life as an epiphyte, germinating in the canopy of another tree before sending down aerial roots that eventually strangle and replace the host, earning it the name Strangler Fig.
• The common name 'banyan' is derived from the Gujarati word 'vaniyo', meaning merchant, as traders historically conducted business in the shade of these vast trees.
• The aerial prop roots of mature banyan trees are not just structural; they function as additional trunks that absorb water and nutrients independently, allowing a single tree to support a canopy of remarkable size.

Audrey Ficus FAQ