Aralia Plants (Polyscias) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems with Remedies
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Polyscias (Aralia) grows best in bright light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Aralia Plants are popular tree-like plants on account of their attractive foliage and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.
Polyscias Plants need good light, even moisture at the roots and frequent misting of leaves in dry weather. They are distinctly unhappy where the atmosphere is dry. If the not given the right conditions, they readily drop their leaves.
The numerous (there are over 100) varieties of Polyscias are oriental trees with attractive foliage and are grown with twisted stems. The leaves are usually ferny.
Botanical name: Polyscias
Family: Araliaceae
Sufamily: Aralioideae
Size
Polyscias can grow to a height of 8 feet in the tropical outdoors. The container grown plants height is controlled through regular pruning of the branch tips which also encourages bushiness.
Flower
In the tropical wild Polyscias will produce a 6 inch long inflorescences but when grown indoors, flowering is unlikely.
Polyscias Varieties
Common types of Aralia Plants for indoor growing are;
1. Polyscias balfouriana commonly called Aralia balfouriana or Dinner Plate Aralia
2. Polyscias scutellaria commonly called Shield Aralia
3. Polyscias fruticosa commonly called Ming Aralia.
Toxicity
Polyscias are toxic to pets as outlined by ASPCA. They contain saponins which if ingested will cause swelling and burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains.
Where to Buy
Aralia are excellent plants for any plant collection. If you would like to acquire these magnificent plants, they are available online on Amazon (Link to Amazon) and on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Aralia Plants Care Indoors
Aralia Plants prosper in bright light, average warmth of 18-240C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Polyscias Plant care also requires regular pruning to keep it neat, promote a bushy, compact 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 your Polyscias Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep it moderately moist.
Water less during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely as it may cause the Aralia Plant to drop all its leaves.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as Aralia do not like to sit in soggy soil as it is prone to root-rot and death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Aralia Plants grow best in bright light. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves. However, it will adapt to light shade but will grow much slower.
You may also grow Polyscias Plants under grow lights where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for Aralia is an average warmth of 18-240C. Keep them away from cold drafts as it doesn't like cold temperature at all. Cold temperatures may result in reduced growth and leaf drop.
Polyscias Plants will do with a humidity of 55-65%. If the humidity is too low, elevate humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Ensure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves of the wide-leaved Polyscias by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce pest infestation.
Fertilizer
Feed Aralia Plants monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Flush out accumulated salts arising from fertilizers every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Polyscias Plants should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for these plants.
Repotting
Repot Aralia Plants every 2-3 years only when they have outgrown the current pot. They grow best when they are pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Take a look at these self watering pots on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Polyscias Plants require pinching-back of the growing tips to encourage a bushy and compact growth. Remove yellow and dead leaves to keep the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations. Cutback the overgrown plant with a clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Polyscias Plants propagation can be done from stem-tip cuttings or from hard-wood stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing season. We have herebelow outlined Aralia propagation from stem cuttings.
Polyscias propagation from stem cuttings
Take top 4-6 inches of the stem-tip cutting from a healthy Polyscias Plant. You can also take about 6 inches hard-wood stem cutting.
Strip off most of the leaves from the bottom of the stem cutting. Retain at least 2-4 leaves on the cutting.
Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist, free-draining soil and cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect in order to promote rooting.
Place the set up in a warm brightly lit spot. The cuttings should begin to root after a 4-6 weeks. You will know the cutting has rooted when you see new growth.
Once rooting has taken place, gradually phase out the plastic bag cover.
Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Note: Polyscias stem cuttings and newly propagated plants rot easily at the base and in the roots, therefore, do not mist the leaves and maintain the soil moist but not wet.
Do not transplant the new plants as Polyscias do not like to be disturbed. It is advisable to start the cuttings in pots with adequate room for the young plants.
Related content: How to propagate Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia) in 3 Easy Ways.
Aralia Plant Problems with Fixes
Aralia Plants (Polyscias) problems include brown leaf spots, plant dying, leaf drop, wilting, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
The common pests in Aralia are spider mites especially where the air humidity is low or there is underwatering. Isolate the affected plant and treat with an insecticidal solution.
To discourage future pest infestation, increase the humidity; set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain the soil moderately moist and never allow the soil to dry out completely to discourage pest infestation.
Yellowing and wilting leaves
Yellowing and wilting leaves in Aralia is an indication of root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil.
To save the plant, take it out from its pot, clean off the soil from the roots and inspect the roots. Cut away brown-black mushy roots and treat the remaining roots with a fungicidal solution.
Clean and disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution and repot the plant in fresh soil. Keep it dry for a few days before beginning the regular watering.
Ensure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy in the future. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.
Plant dying
Polyscias Plant is dying due to root-rot which is promoted by overwet (soggy) soil. Make sure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil.
Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to remain moderately moist during the growing season. Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants in the right way.
Yellowish-green young leaves
Lack of nutrients due to poor feeding is the cause of yellowish-green young leaves in your Aralia Plant. Feed the plant monthly during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer but do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
The soil needs to be regularly flushed out of accumulated fertilizer deposits by running a stream of water through the soil for some time and repeating the process several times. Learn how to feed houseplants.
Dropping leaves
Some leaf drop in Aralia Plants is normal. However, a sudden change in lighting will cause excessive leaf drop. Do not change the growing conditions suddenly. Acclimate the plant gradually over a period of time before changing its position.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots in Polyscias Plant are caused by underwatering as it grows best in moderately moist soil during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period.
Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil-ball to dry out completely.
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