Polyscias fruticosa in pot

Credit: Sherri barras

Foliage Polyscias fruticoas

Credit: Forest et Kim Starr

Green leaves Aralia Ming

Credit: Yi Chen

Polyscias fruticosa in pot

Credit: F & K Starr

Flowers Polyscias fruticosa

Credit: HQ Flower guide

Polyscias fruticosa, Aralia Ming

Nicknamed Aralia Ming, Polyscias fruticosa evokes the palaces of Chinese emperors and blue porcelain. Yet this shrub with its delicately cut foliage is native to Malaysia and Australia and has little to do with the glorious dynasty.

How to recognize Polyscias fruticosa?

Polyscias fruticosa is an upright, spreading tree. It reaches heights of up to seven meters in its native tropical forests. When grown indoors in pots, it is a bushy shrub that doesn't exceed two meters.

The branched trunk is covered with smooth, light-brown bark.

The glossy, dark-green leaves measure up to 15 cm in all directions. The highly dissected foliage is reminiscent of ferns. Each leaf consists of three leaflets with irregular, serrated margins.

Aralia Ming is grown for its decorative, evergreen foliage. Flowering, with umbels of cream flowers, is very rare indoors. The appearance of fruit, fleshy berries with a stone, is even rarer.

In some Asian countries, Polyscias fruticosa leaves are prepared and eaten. But you'd better not eat them! The plant is toxic if swallowed. Keep your shrub out of the reach of small children and pets. Would you like to treat yourself to a Polyscias, but live with a greedy dog or cat? Choose polyscias filicifolia. This variety is non-toxic.

Our maintenance tips

Polyscias fruticosa do not like strong light or limestone. Place your plant behind an east-facing window and water it preferably with rainwater.

Watering

Polyscias fruticosa likes regular, but not excessive, watering. Its roots must not be drowned. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or filtered water at room temperature.

Between waterings, let the soil dry on the surface (by about two centimetres).

Remember to remove any stagnant water from the saucer or planter.

Spray

Spray foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature. This increases humidity, prevents pest attacks and repels dust.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Polyscias fruticosa to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Obtain a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Pour clay balls or pebbles in the bottom to improve drainage.

Polyscias fruticosa like rich, aerated soil. Mix one or two handfuls of heather earth with potting soil for green plants. Place a layer of substrate on top of the clay balls. Plant your plant and add potting soil to the height of the root ball.

Tamp and water to encourage rooting.

Your Polyscias fruticosa appreciates humid environments. Place its pot on a dish of wet clay marbles to increase ambient humidity.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Use a liquid fertilizer for green plants mixed with water.

Prune

You can prune your Polyscias fruticosa to control its growth.

Use clean pruning shears to top. You can also shorten the branches.

Cutting

Select a healthy stem with leaves. Separate it from the mother plant using a clean, sharp instrument.

Remove the leaves at the base.

To propagate cuttings, plant the seedling in a pot with a fine potting soil, such as potting soil for cuttings and seedlings, or a substrate that you have previously sieved.

Mist and cover with an empty bottle. Aerate your mini-greenhouse for a few minutes a day and spray two or three times a day.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Red spiders

Information

Family	Araliaceae - Araliaceae
Type	Polyscias - Polyscias
Species	Polyscias fruticosa - Polyscias fruticosa
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Tree Shrub Interior
Tags	Fritillary Toxic
Origins	Southeast Asia Oceania
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower color