Ficus benghalensis 'Audrey'

Cultivar and species background

Ficus benghalensis is native to the Indian subcontinent. It may begin life on another tree, then send aerial roots to the ground. Those roots thicken into supporting trunks, allowing one banyan to spread laterally until it resembles an entire grove.

Its figs enclose many tiny flowers and participate in the specialised fig-and-wasp pollination system characteristic of the genus. Birds and other fruit-eating animals then disperse the seeds. The immense canopy and long-lived pillar roots have made the banyan important in South Asian cultural landscapes. Cultivated ‘Audrey’ represents the juvenile phase of this root-supported forest giant.

Growing a container tree or shrub

Care: Place Ficus ‘Audrey’ in a bright, filtered position. Rotate the container in small increments if the broad crown leans, and avoid sudden moves between brighter and darker sites.

Roots and substrate: Healthy roots depend on a chunky mix that drains freely while retaining some moisture. Water thoroughly after the upper portion has dried and allow all excess to escape.

Leaf care: Pruning just above a node can encourage branching, while wiping the broad leaves removes light-blocking dust. Younger stem cuttings can be rooted, while air layering allows a substantial branch to develop roots before it is removed.

Feeding: Use a balanced foliage fertiliser only while leaves and shoots are developing. Protect the plant from cold draughts and suspend feeding until new growth returns.

Plant problems, causes and solutions

Sudden leaf drop in ‘Audrey’ can follow relocation, a darker position, cold draughts, drought or persistently wet roots. Start with timing and root-ball condition. Healthy-looking leaves falling soon after a move suggest acclimatisation stress; yellow leaves above wet mix point more strongly to root damage.

A light pot, dry inner mix and crisp edges support drought as the cause. Soak the root ball evenly and let it drain. If the pot is heavy and roots are dark or soft, stop adding water, improve aeration and allow the mix to dry partially before the next irrigation.

Small pale leaves, long spaces between leaves or weak extension indicate insufficient light, depleted roots or inadequate nutrition. Correct light and root conditions before increasing fertiliser, since feeding cannot repair an airless root system.

Webbing together with fine pale speckles is characteristic of spider mites. Thrips leave silvery scars and small black specks, while scale and mealybugs are associated with fixed bumps, waxy deposits or honeydew. Keep ‘Audrey’ separate during treatment, clean its broad leaves and include petiole joints and leaf undersides in each repeat application.

Ficus benghalensis ‘Audrey’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and avoid contact with its milky sap.
• The latex contains ficin and psoralens, which can irritate the mouth, digestive tract, skin and eyes.
• Exposure may cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, stomach pain or a skin rash. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or persist.

About the name Ficus benghalensis

Classical Latin ficus means fig. Benghalensis means ‘from Bengal’.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Ficus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1059; Joseph Pitton de Tournefort had proposed the name.

Carl Linnaeus first described Ficus benghalensis in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1059.