Ficus benghalensis 'Roy'

Cultivated form and Indian banyan background

'Roy' is a cultivated form of Ficus benghalensis. The species comes from the Indian subcontinent, where it grows into a broad, branching banyan in warm climates with a dry season.

Care for firm leaves and upright banyan growth

• Water: Wait until the surface is dry and the pot feels lighter, then water evenly until excess runs from the drainage holes.
• Light: Give 'Roy' bright filtered light near a window.
• Height and stability: Cut an overlong shoot just above a leaf to encourage branching or control height. If a top-heavy plant still has room around its roots, place the nursery pot inside a heavier outer pot for stability.
• Potting mix: Use a loose houseplant mix with bark and perlite or pumice so the roots retain some moisture while the mix still drains freely.
• Room conditions: Warm, stable conditions and moderate indoor humidity suit the leathery foliage. Protect the plant from cold draughts.
• Feeding: Feed at the label rate during active shoot and leaf growth. Pause feeding when new growth stops.
• Propagation and sap: Use a cutting from a stem that is starting to turn woody. Air layering is another option on thicker branches. Wear gloves because Ficus sap can irritate skin.
• Repotting: Increase the pot size when roots fill the container or the old mix has compacted enough to slow drainage.

Troubleshooting Ficus benghalensis 'Roy'

• Leaves curl or hang limp while the pot is very light: The mix has become too dry. Wet the root ball evenly, let it drain and check the container earlier next time.
• Firm leaves drop after the plant changes position: A sudden shift in light or temperature can trigger shedding. Leave 'Roy' in one bright stable place while it adjusts.
• Sticky residue, tiny pale speckles, webbing or hard brown bumps appear: Inspect the lower leaf surfaces and stems for spider mites or scale. Separate the plant from others, identify the pest and use a treatment labelled for it on indoor ornamental plants. Repeat as directed on the label.
• Yellow leaves appear while the mix stays wet for a long time: Take the plant out of its pot and examine the roots. Using a clean tool, cut all soft dark tissue back to firm healthy roots and clean the tool between cuts. Discard the rotten material, then pot the healthy roots into fresh airy mix.

Ficus benghalensis ‘Roy’ 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.

Where does the name Ficus benghalensis come from?

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.