Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Problems & Remedies

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Polyscias fruticosa also called Ming Aralia is among favored indoor trees and bears dark-green, glossy leaves which appear divided and are about 10 cm long.

Ming Aralia is a perennial, evergreen shrub or dwarf tree which grows slowly but can eventually reach the height of 6 feet. The ferny leaves droop gracefully from narrow branches that grow straight up and forms a multi-layered beautiful plant.

The leaves have been used as a tonic, anti-inflammatory, antitoxin, and an antibacterial ointment. They have also been proven to aid in digestion and thus, have been used as a spice.

Botanical name: Polyscias fruticosa
Family: Araliaceae
Common name: Ming Aralia

Origin

Polyscias fruticosa was originally found in Polynesia where it thrives in environments of medium humidity, with temperatures ranging from 16-29⁰C.

Size

Ming Aralia can grow to a height of 3-6 feet when given the right growing conditions indoors.

Types of Polyscias Varieties

Types of Polyscias ideal for growing indoors include;

1. Polyscias scutellaria (Shield Aralia) which features attractive round leaves, alternately or spirally arranged on the stems, and are usually clustered at the tips of the branches.

2. Polyscias balfouriana (Aralia balfouriana) which bears an abundance of attractive, dark-green leaves.

Is Polyscias fruticosa pet-friendly?

Yes, Polyscias fruticosa is toxic to pets as indicated by ASPCA. It contains saponins which if ingested will cause swelling and burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Ming Aralia to your collection, you may acquire these plants from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Polyscias fruticosa Indoors

To care for Polyscias fruticosa indoors, give it bright indirect light, warmth of 18-28⁰, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Ming Aralia requires regular pruning to keep it neat, promote a bushy growth and rejuvenate growth. Repotting is needed every 2-3 years when it has outgrown its pot as it grows best when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Polyscias fruticosa liberally in spring and summer until water drips from the bottom. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it can cause the Ming Aralia to drop all its leaves.

Ensure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and plant death. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.

Use room-temperature water to avoid cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop. Only water with filtered water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Light Requirements

Ming Aralia grows best in bright indirect light; put it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves.

Polyscias fruticosa can adapt to light shade though it will grow much slower in such conditions. Too little light will result in yellowish leaves and leggy growth. Move the plant to a brighter spot or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Once monthly, give the pot a quarter turn to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent unbalanced growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Ming Aralia thrives in a warmth of 18-28⁰ with a minimum of 16⁰C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent temperature flactuations which can result in reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Polyscias fruticosa prefers a humidity of 55-65%. If humidity is too low the plant will respond with brown leaf tips and edges. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the leaves and maintain proper air flow to prevent fungal diseases.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Ming Aralia should be a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coconut coir, and 20% perlite is perfect for the plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Ming Aralia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time.

Leaf browning and a white crust on the soil surface indicate a build up of salts. Flush out the accumulated salts every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes.

Repotting

Repot Polyscias fruticosa every 2-3 years only when it has outgrown the current pot as it grows best when pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid root-rot. To control growth, keep Ming Aralia slightly root-bound by avoiding oversized pots. Check out these self-watering planters on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Ming Aralia requires pinching-back of the growing tips to encourage a bushy and compact growth. Remove yellow and dead leaves to keep the plant neat and reduce pests and diseases. Cutback the overgrown plant with a clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth.

Regularly clean the leaves by splashing a lot of water from a strong jet to get rid of dust and also reduce pest infestations.

Polyscias fruticosa Propagation

Ming Aralia is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), by air layering or from stem-tip cuttings which can be rooted either in soil or in water. Propagating the plant at this time hastens establishment as it is in the active growth phase. Learn how to propagate Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia).

Polyscias fruticosa Problems & Solutions

Ming Aralia problems are yellowing leaves, dropping leaves, pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellowing leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Polyscias fruticosa are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency, aging among others

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Aging: As the plant matures, the old leaves turn yellow and drop.

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves off Ming Aralia is due to insufficient light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or sudden changes.

How to fix it

Insufficient light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, windy doors, stoves and others.

Sudden changes: Acclimate the plant gradually over a period of time before moving it to a new spot.

Pests

Common pests of Polyscias fruticosa are spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturers'.


2. Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep the pests away.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.


5. To upscale humidity, group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray.

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