Common Name: Banyan Tree; Strangler Fig; Audrey Ficus
Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis
Light: bright indirect light; this plant will need to be acclimated to long periods of direct sun and it will not tolerate low light conditions; ideally, place Audrey directly in an eastern facing window, or a few feet removed from a southern or western facing window
Water: allow top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings; prefers consistently moist soil (not soggy) and hates drying out completely; Allowing the soil to dry more than a few inches will lead to leaf loss. In contrast, too much moisture in the soil can lead to root rot and cause leaves to drop.
Care: needs temperatures above 65°F; keep away from drafts and vents; fertilize monthly from April to October
Details: this Ficus has had lower limbs removed over time to create a tree form; fuzzy oblong leaves; National tree of India; will produce aerial roots in the wild