Ming aralia
Also called Parsley aralia, Chinese aralia.
| Light | bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 8 days in the growing season, every 18 in winter |
| Pets | Cats not known, dogs not known |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, no entry for Polyscias fruticosa.
Grown across South East Asia as a hedge and a kitchen herb, and indoors for the foliage, which is finely divided and slightly ferny on stems that go woody and slightly gnarled with age. It is a natural bonsai subject for that reason. What it asks for is not to be messed about with: it drops leaves at a change of position, a draught, a cold spell or a repot, and then takes several weeks to settle and releaf. Choose its spot carefully and then leave it there. Bright indirect light, compost that dries down between waterings, warmth and humidity are the rest of it. It grows slowly and lives a long time.
Ailments observed
| Leaves falling off | A move, a draught or a change of light, all of which it takes badly. Put it somewhere steady and leave it. It sheds leaves at any disturbance and takes weeks to settle, which is normal for this plant. |
|---|---|
| Yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant | Wet compost in a cool room. Let the top third dry between waterings and keep it above fifteen degrees. |
Filed underPlants for humid air, Statement plants
Neighbouring entries
African violet
Streptocarpus ionanthusAfrican violet care that keeps it flowering all year, with why you water from below, what makes the pale rings on the leaves, and how to root a single leaf.
Alocasia
Alocasia x amazonicaAlocasia care with the humidity and warmth it insists on, why it drops leaves in winter, and what the tuber is doing when the plant looks dead.
Asparagus fern
Asparagus densiflorusNot a fern at all but an asparagus, in soft green plumes that turn out to have thorns. Easy, fast, and toxic to cats and dogs.