Indian banyan Ficus benghalensis
Indian banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Moraceae family, native to Indian subcontinent (national tree of India). It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 20–60 m (66–197 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 25 m (82 ft) apart.
Plan Indian banyan in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Indian banyan at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 20–60 m (66–197 ft) |
| Spacing | 25 m (82 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Indian subcontinent (national tree of India) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India |
Is Indian banyan toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: milky sap
Latex irritates skin and mouth.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Indian banyan
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Indian banyan
- How far apart should I plant Indian banyan?
- About 25 m (82 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–60 m (66–197 ft).
- Does Indian banyan need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Indian banyan need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Indian banyan?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- Is Indian banyan poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Latex irritates skin and mouth.
- What grows well with Indian banyan?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Indian banyan. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- India Biodiversity Portal (species pages), India Biodiversity Portal
Notes and assumptions
- Aerial roots grow down into new trunks; the Great Banyan in Kolkata’s botanic garden covers about 1.9 ha. Needs enormous space.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common fig Ficus carica
- White mulberry Morus alba
- Rubber fig Ficus elastica
- Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpa
- Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
- Sacred fig (peepal, bodhi tree) Ficus religiosa
- Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus
- Moreton Bay fig Ficus macrophylla