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Ming Tree Polyscias fruticosa

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Aralia fruticosa
  • Panax fruticosus
Phonetic Spelling
pol-ISS-see-as froo-tih-KOH-suh
Description

Ming Aralia is a tropical evergreen shrub or short tree that is erect and upright and grows up to 25 tall in its native habitat of Southwest Pacific. In NC it is grown as a houseplant and grows only 6 to 8 feet tall. It needs bright indirect light, warm air temperatures, and medium to high humidity.  It can be grown in a variety of soil types providing it receives good drainage.  It will perform best in soil that is not too wet or dry.  Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering.  Misting between watering will help to raise the humidity. This plant is prized for its oriental look, the fern-like foliage of this tree makes it an excellent specimen for interiorscapes, but large plants are very expensive. 

Consider the ming aralia as an indoor container plant: however, this plant typically does not flower or produce fruit when grown in the home.  It may be used as a tropical plant in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 to 12 as a specimen, accent, or hedge. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are tri-pinnate
  • Leaflets are irregularly lobed and serrated
  • Finely cut foliage 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor of aphids, scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, and nematodes. In wet or overly moist soils, root rot can occur. Mites can appear in dry conditions.

More information on Polyscias.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Elegans'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#green flowers#feathery leaves#winter interest#fantz#mildew resistant#humidity tolerant#tropical shrub#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Elegans'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#green flowers#feathery leaves#winter interest#fantz#mildew resistant#humidity tolerant#tropical shrub#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polyscias
    Species:
    fruticosa
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Malesia to Southwest Pacific
    Distribution:
    Bangladesh, Borneo, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Mozambique, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, and Vietnam
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Edibility:
    Young leaves and shoots can be cooked as a vegetable and flavoring.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits or drupes are rarely seen in cultivation.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are in small umbels and green-white. Inflorescence is a panicle up to 6 inches. Flowers can bloom all year round. Flowers and fruits are rarely seen when cultivated as a houseplant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 1-3 pinnately compound up to 1.5 inches. Leaflets are linear-lanceolate, narrow-ovate or oblong. Apices are acute, toothed, lobed, or irregularly pinnatisect. The leaves are dark green and are clustered near the tips of branches.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Bark Description:
    Fairly smooth medium brown bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are smooth, flexible and reddish-brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs