Aralia (Polyscias spp.)

Aralia Plant Features

Beautiful aralias are easy-to-grow and have been popular indoor plants for more than a century. Prized for their finely cut, divided leaves, aralia varieties are ideal for adding softness and texture to indoor spaces. Available in a range of sizes, aralias in smaller pots are ideal for desks and tabletops. Specimens in larger plants are excellent indoor trees.

Small aralia plants are perfect for grouping with other houseplants; aralias' textures are a beautiful contrast against plants with larger leaves. They also add flair to an otherwise drab desk. Larger aralia plants, because of their upright shape, are popular for filling empty corners and flanking large pieces of furniture for a formal look. Or add an aralia to your entryway to make it instantly more welcoming. 

Aralia Questions?
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Aralia Growing Instructions

Grow aralias in medium to bright light. They tolerate medium light, but will grow faster and lusher in a bright spot. Like other popular houseplants, they appreciate humidity; if you'd like to boost humidity, place your aralia on a tray of sand or pebbles and water; keep it near a small humidifier; or group it with other houseplants as they add moisture to the air as they breathe. 

Water aralias just enough to keep them from wilting. It's best to let the top inch or so of the potting mix dry before watering it again. That may be from a couple of times a week to once every two weeks, depending on the size of the plant, the size of the pot, and how much light it gets. If you're in doubt, it's better to keep aralias too dry than too wet. 

Aralias benefit from being repotted every couple of years; spring and summer are the best times, but you can repot an aralia any time of the year without harming this houseplant. When repotting, look for a container that's only a couple of inches wider than the previous pot, and be sure it has adequate drainage. 

Like most houseplants, aralias are not intended for human or animal consumption.

  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Indoors: Medium light

  • Colors

    Green

    Variegated

  • Special Features

    Purifies the air

Complement your Aralia

Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen is a practically foolproof houseplant, and its broad foliage makes a beautiful contrast to aralia.

Money Tree
Money tree is another popular indoor plant that thrives in the same conditions as aralia. The two look beautiful planted next to each other.