Polyscias
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pol-ISS-skee-as
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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An evergreen shrub with slender, upright branches. It can be grown as a house plant in a variety of soils, providing good drainage is present. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Filtered sun is a better option. Allowing soil to dry between deep waterings, but don't allow the soil to dry completely. Being a tropical plant, high humidity is beneficial. Consider misting on a regular basis to maintain a humid atmosphere. Pruning the tips of the branches will encourage more dense foliage and additional branching. Outside of the tropics, it will rarely bloom.
Some insects affecting this plant include aphids, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, and nematodes. Over moist soil may cause root rot. Too dry soil may attract mites.
All parts of this plant are poisonous. It will cause low toxicity of eaten. Skin irritation is minor, only lasting a few minutes.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Polpscias balfouriana, Polyscias fruiticosa
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Polpscias balfouriana, Polyscias fruiticosa
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Polyscias
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa to Pacific
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, pale yellow to white, in rounded clusters. A seasonal bloomer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, pinnately divided leaves with 3-7 toothed leaflets, variegated with white.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slender, upright branches
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Irritation of the mouth, dilated pupils, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; skin irritation following repeated contact.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Saponic glycosides and possibly others.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
