Shield Aralia (Polyscias scutellaria) Care Indoors, Propagation and Common Problems

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Shield Aralia Plant (Polyscias scutellaria) requires bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Polyscias scutellaria also called Plum Aralia is among the popular tree-like plants and can grow to a height of about 6 metres and bears attractive round leaves.

Plum Aralia leaves are alternate or spirally arranged on the stems and they are usually clustered at the tips of the branches.

The leaves and roots have been used as an antiseptic and deodorant. The shredded shield Aralia has aromatic properties that can be mixed with meat or fish to conceal the odor.

Botanical name: Polyscias scutellaria
Family: Araliaceae
Common names: Shield Aralia, Plum Aralia

Origin

Polyscias scutellaria is native to the Southwest Pacific islands where it is found growing as an understory plant.

Types of Polyscias

Types of Polyscias for growing indoors include;

1. Polyscias fruticosa commonly called Ming Aralia

2. Polyscias balfouriana commonly called Aralia balfouriana.

Toxicity

Polyscias scutellaria is toxic to pets as outlined by ASPCA. It contains saponins which if ingested will cause swelling and burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Shield Aralia is toxic to cats, dogs and other pets.

Shield Aralia Plant Care Indoors

Shield Aralia Plant blossoms in bright indirect light (filtered light), moderate warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 50-60% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Polyscias scutellaria requires regular pruning to keep it neat, promote a bushy, compact growth and rejuvenate growth. Repotting is needed every 2 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.

Light Requirements

Shield Aralia grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight. However,it will adapt to light shade but will grow much slower.

Polyscias scutellaria can be grown under a grow light where natural light is not enpugh. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Regularly rotate 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 Shield Aralia Plant is an average warmth of 18-24⁰C. Keep it away from cold drafts as it doesn't like cold temperature at all. Cold temperature may result in leaf drop.

Plum Aralia requires a high humidity of 50-60% to thrive. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce pest infestations. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.

Watering

Water Shield Aralia Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep it moderately moist.

Lessen watering in the cold period as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely as it may cause the Plum Aralia to drop all its leaves.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as the plant does not like to sit in soggy soil as it is prone to root-rot and death of the plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Shield Aralia monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Stop feeding 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

Plum Aralia soil 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 the plant.

Repotting

Repot Shield Aralia every 2 years only when they have outgrown the current pot. It grows best when root-bound. Use a pot 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. Check out these self watering pots on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Plum 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 minimize pests and diseases. Cutback the overgrown plant with a clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Polyscias scutellaria propagation can be done from stem-tip cuttings or from hard-wood stem cuttings.

Shield Aralia propagation from stem cuttings

1. Take top 4-6 inches of the stem-tip cutting from a healthy Shield Aralia Plant. You can also take about 6 inches hard-wood stem cutting.


2. Strip off most of the leaves from the bottom of the stem cutting. Retain at least 2-4 leaves on the cutting.


3. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting. Insert each cutting into a pot of moist sandy soil.


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


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


6. Note that Plum 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.


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


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


9. Do not transplant the new plants as Polyscias scutellaria does 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.

Shield Aralia Problems with Solutions

Polyscias scutellaria problems include leaf spots, plant dying, leaf drop, wilting, yellowing, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Yellowing and wilting leaves

Yellowing and wilting leaves in Shield Aralia Plant 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 avoid getting soggy soil in the future. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.

Plant dying

Shield Aralia Plant is dying due to overwatering causing the soil to become soggy. Make sure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings during the growing season to keep the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering in the cold season and maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.

Pests

Pests in Shield Aralia are spider mites especially where air humidity is low or there is inadequate watering. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with an insecticidal solution.

Raise humidity to discourage future pest infestation; 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.

Yellowish-green young leaves

Lack of nutrients is the cause of yellowish-green young leaves in Plum Aralia. Feed the plant monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season but do not feed during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

Flush out of accumulated fertilizer deposits from the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil for some time and repeating the process several times. Learn how to feed houseplants.

Dropping (shedding) leaves

Some leaf drop in Shield Aralia is normal. However, a sudden change in lighting will cause excessive leaf drop. Avoid sudden changes in the growing conditions. Acclimate it gradually over a period of time before changing its position.

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots in Plum Aralia are caused by underwatering as it thrives in moderately moist soil during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season. Never allow the soil-ball to dry out completely at any time.

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