Polyscias (Aralia) Plants Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Fertilizer, Propagation, Problems

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Polyscias (Aralia) Plants are popular tree-like plants on account of their attractive foliage and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.

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 and bears an abundance of attractive, dark-green leaves.

2. Polyscias scutellaria commonly called Shield Aralia, features attractive round leaves, alternately or spirally arranged on the stems, and are usually clustered at the tips of the branches.

3. Polyscias fruticosa commonly called Ming Aralia, bears dark-green, glossy leaves which appear divided, droop gracefully from narrow branches that grow straight up, forming a multi-layered beautiful plant.

Are Polyscias toxic?

Yes, 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. You may acquire these magnificent plants from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to care for Polyscias Aralia indoors?

To care for Polyscias (Aralia) Plants indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Aralia Plants require 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 Polyscias Aralia liberally in spring and summer until water drips from the bottom. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping and yellowing leaves, and leaf loss.

Water less in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist because growth is minimal at this time. Never allow the soil to dry out completely as it may cause wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent sogginess which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Take care not to wet the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.

Use room temperature water as consistently watering with too cold water can result in cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop. Ensure that the water is chlorine-free to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Light Requirements

Aralia Plants grow best in bright indirect light (filtered light); put them next to a bright, sunless window. Though they can tolerate some morning sunshine, keep them away from hot direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Polyscias Plants can adapt to light shade but will grow much slower. If the light is too low, the plant may become leggy with small yellowish leaves. You may use full spectrum grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Give the pot a quarter turn every month, to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Aralia Plants thrive in a warmth of 18-24⁰C. Keep them away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes which can result in reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Polyscias Aralia will do with a humidity of 55-65%. However, if the humidity is too low, the plants respond with brown leaf tips and aedges. Therefore, to elevate humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Aralia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Take care not to overfertilize to avoid fertilizer burn; brown burnt leaf tips and edges. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is slowed at this time.

Flush out excess 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 to clear most of the soils.

Potting Soil

The best potting mix for Polyscias Aralia should be a rich, airy, free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. A mix compromising of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coconut coir, and 20% perlite is ideal for these plants.

Repotting

Repot Aralia Plants every 2-3 years only when they have outgrown the current pot; they grow best when pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid root-rot and eventual plant death. Check out these self-watering pots on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

How to prune an Aralia Plant?

Pruning Polyscias Plants requires:

• Pinching-back of the growing tips to encourage a bushy and compact growth.


• Removal of yellow and dead leaves to keep the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.


• Cutting back the overgrown plant with a clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth.


• Regular cleaning of the leaves of the wide-leaved Polyscias by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce pest infestation.

Polyscias Aralia Propagation

Can you grow Aralia from cuttings?

Polyscias Aralia are propagated from stem cuttings, at the beginning of the growing season, when the plant is actively growing for faster establishment.

How to propagate Polyscias Aralia from stem cuttings

Propagation by stem cuttings is an easy, beginner-friendly method. Polyscias Aralia stem cuttings can be rooted either in water or in soil.

1. Propagating Polyscias Aralia from stem cuttings in water

1. Take 4-6 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant. Make sure that each cutting has at least two leaf nodes.


2. Remove most bottom of the bottom leaves from the cutting. Retain at least 2-4 leaves at the top.


3. Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.


4. Submerge 2-3 inches of the stem in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station.


5. Cover the set up with a plastic bag or a humidity dome to enhance rooting.


6. Position the set up in a brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight.


7. Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.


8. When the roots are about 2-3 inches, transfer the rooted cuttings into individual pots in moist, well-drained soil.


9. Keep the soil slightly moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Polyscias Aralia from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take 4-6 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant. Ensure each has at least two leaf nodes.


2. Strip off the lower leaves from the stem cutting. Retain at least 2-4 leaves at the top.


3. Fill small pots (about 6-8 inches wide) with a sandy rooting soil and moisten it lightly.


4. Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


5. Carefully, insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the cutting into the moist sandy soil.


6. Cover the pots with clear plastic bag to create a humid atmosphere which enhances root development.


7. Place the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.


8. Note: Aralia 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.


9. The cuttings will begin to root in 4-6 weeks. You will know the cutting has rooted when you see new growth.


10. Once rooting has taken place, gradually phase out the plastic bag covers.


11. 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).

Aralia Plant Problems with Fixes

Polyscias Aralia Plants problems are plant dying, yellow leaves, brown leaves, falling leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.

Why is my Polyscias Aralia dying?

Your Polyscias Aralia is dying due to root-rot which is prevalent in soggy soil. The disease is characterized by rotting, yellowing, browning, leaf drop followed by plant collapse.

How do you revive an Aralia Plant?

1. Carefully, remove the plant from its pot, clean off the soil from the roots and inspect the roots.


2. Cut away brown-black mushy roots and treat the remaining roots with a fungicidal solution.


3. 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.


4. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil.


5. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Yellow leaves

Why are the leaves of my Aralia Plant turning yellowing?

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Aralia plant are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, overfertilizing, pests infestation, temperature stress among others.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that drains easily.

Overfertilizing: Avoid overfeeding; fertilize every 4 weeks in spring and summer only.

Pests infestation: Regularly check underneath the leaves for pests and take timely control measures. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage pests.

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

Brown leaves

Why is my Aralia turning brown?

The main causes of brown leaves on your Aralia are inconsistent watering, exposure to hot sunshine, temperature stress, salts buildup among others.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry and do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.

Exposure to hot sunshine: Though the plant can tolerate some sunshine, keep it way from hot midday sun to avoid scorching.

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

Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out excess salts by thoroughly drenching the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.

Falling leaves

Why are my Aralia leaves falling off?

Some leaf drop off Aralia Plants is normal. However, excessive leaf fall is due to sudden changes in lighting, watering and temperatures.

How to fix it

• Do not change the growing conditions before acclimating the plant; do so gradually over a period of time.


• Position the plant infront of a brightly-lit window or use a grow light is the natural light is not enough.


• Water consistently; when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.


• Do not expose the plant to drafts from AC units, heat sources, windy doors and others to avoid temperature flactuations.

Pests

Common pests of Aralia are spider mites and scale insects especially in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant and treat with an insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure to follow the directions on the label.


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


5. To increase the humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

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