Common Name: Ming Aralia, False Aralia
Botanical Name: Polyscias fruticosa ‘Elegans’
Your next indoor plant NEEDS to be the Parsley Aralia. This Parsley Aralia is the perfect pick of a plant that has beautiful lacy foliage and will sprawl up to 4 feet. Not to mention, it brings a lot of natural chill vibes. For the best results, ensure to give your plant enough water (especially when it is dry to the touch), and share the love to your plant during the cooler months with a touch of additional humidity. Parsley Aralia look spectacular in the bright, indirect light. Like we said before, your next indoor plant needs to be this one!
Light
Parsley Aralia prefer to be in bright, indirect light. A window that faces either East or West is idea since it will give your plant the bright morning or afternoon light that it needs. Your plant should receive 10-12 hours of light per day, whether that be through window lighting or an artificial lighting source. If you do choose to give your plant supplemental lighting, you can use full-spectrum or broad-spectrum fluorescent lights or an LED grow light for best results with this alternative. Be cautious to observe your plant. This can help you decide if it is getting the right amount of light. If needed, adjust your plants positioning accordingly if its under the artificial lighting source.
Water
It will be most beneficial for your Parsley Aralia if you are watering it once every 7 to 10 days. Do not over water you plant because it could cause root rot. When you are watering, get rid of any of the extra water that is there. This will help reduce the risk of your plant sitting in standing water. If you see your plants leaves start to droop, become dry, or the edges of the leaves are crispy, water your plant. These symptoms are a sign that you need to give your plant more hydration!
Soil
Polyscias fruticosa ‘Elegans’ thrive most in a well-draining soil mix that allows extra water to drain away. This type of soil will assure that water logging does not occur, as water logging could cause the roots to rot. Also, for people that usually prefer organic matter, avoid using too much of it for your Parsley Aralia. If you plant soil has over the limit of organic matter, it can get overly-moisturized. This also leads to root rot. We recommend that the pH range of the soil is around 6.0 to 7.0. If you want to be sure that the pH is in the suggested range, you can use a soil testing kit to determine this.
Temperature
Your Parsley Aralia does not do as well in temperatures that are severe or fluctuate. Ideally, your plant will thrive in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). To prevent the leaves to damage, your plant should not be exposed to any temperatures under 75°F (18°C). And, while aralia can survive in higher temperatures, you should strive to keep them out of direct heat sources for long amounts of time because that can stunt its growth. When it is summer, giving your plant some air circulation and in the winter, avoiding any cold drafts will be most beneficial to your plant’s overall well-being.
Humidity
Medium to high humidity is appreciated for your Parsley Aralia. The preferred range is between 50% and 60%. If you find yourself needing to increase the levels of humidity, you could do this by grouping plants together, using a pebble tray, or a humidifier. Although your plant enjoys high humidity, avoid too much humidity, as it can lead to fungal infections, root rot, and other unwanted issues. A hygrometer could be useful for measuring the humidity levels that your Ming Aralia is surrounded by. This will help you determine if any changes are needed to be made.
Fertilizer
Parsley Aralia do best from regular fertilization. You should use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer that has the equal amounts of nitrogen (n), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A formulation of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is best for your Polyscias fruticosa ‘Elegans’. When it is growing season (the warmer months), fertilize your plant every two to four weeks and then in the colder months, every four to six weeks. If you want to provide it an organic fertilizer, you can do so with a slow-release organic fertilizer. To remove any salts that it might get from the fertilizer, we recommend that you use plain water to flush the soil. If you do this, ensure you are giving your plant enough water until the drains out the bottom of the pot.
Growth Rate
The mature height that Polyscias fruticosa ‘Elegans’ can reach is up to 6 to 10 feet. However, your indoor plant will most likely stay much smaller. A mature height for one grown indoors to reach is usually around 3 to 6 feet. . Prune frequently to help control the plants height and shape. Remember that there are many factors that play a role with your Parsley Aralia plant growth so be cautious and take good care of your plant!
Pet Friend or Foe
Ming Aralia is considered not pet-friendly! Foe!
Pro Tips
- Every 1-2 years, you should repot your Parsley Aralia. When doing this, place your plant into a bigger sized pot!
- Check your plants for any common houseplant pests. If you spot any of these, we recommend you put your plant away from other plants and use an insecticidal soap for your plant.
- You should prune your plant to get rid of any leaves that are damaged. This also can be beneficial for controlling the height and width of your Ming Aralia.