Plant guide

Banyan tree.

Ficus benghalensis

Pronounced FY-kus ben-gal-EN-sis

Also known as Banyan, Bengal banyan, Bengal fig, Bot, East Indian figtree, Indian Banyan, Indian Fig Tree, banyan fig

Indian banyan — Photo by Tom Fazekas (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Ficus benghalensis is a stunning tree that brings a touch of the tropics to your home. It features beautiful, velvety leaves and a sturdy trunk that makes it a great statement piece. You will love how it fills a bright corner with its lush presence.

Another photo of Banyan tree — Photo by Raja Sekhar Chimirala (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical tree
Light: Bright, indirect light is best for this tree.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 10 feet indoors.
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Keep this plant in a spot with plenty of light and avoid moving it once it settles in. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. Consistent, bright light helps keep the foliage dense and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long branches to encourage a fuller shape.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Safety

Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

How to identify it

Velvety, oval shaped green leaves
Prominent light colored leaf veins
Sturdy, woody trunk structure
Milky sap inside stems

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Science

Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.