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Polyscias guilfoylei

Previously known as:

  • Aralia guilfoylei
  • Panax guilfoylei
Phonetic Spelling
pol-ISS-skee-as gil-FOYL-ee
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Geranium Aralia is a tropical shrub native to Southeast Asia and is commonly used as a houseplant. They are slow-growing and tolerate pruning to keep the size where you want it. Without pruning, they will reach 6-8 feet tall. If the temperature drops below 50 F they will lose their leaves. The showy leaves are often variegated with white or yellow margins or they can be all green. They rarely flower as a houseplant.

Grow in moist well-drained loamy acidic potting soil and place in bright indirect lighting. They can tolerate the morning sun. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings, then water deeply and thoroughly.  The plant can be used as a bonsai specimen.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur from overwatering. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blackie' or Black Aralia
    very dark green, wrinkled surface, pinnately divided leaves
'Blackie' or Black Aralia
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#slow growing#variegated#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blackie' or Black Aralia
    very dark green, wrinkled surface, pinnately divided leaves
'Blackie' or Black Aralia
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#slow growing#variegated#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polyscias
    Species:
    guilfoylei
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Malesia to Southwest Pacific
    Distribution:
    Bahamas, China, Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, and Wake Island
    Play Value:
    Wind Break
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    Rarely blooms as a houseplant
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Papery
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Compound leaf with 7-9 leaflets. Green to variegated with white or yellow margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems can become woody with age
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact dermatitis, vomiting, anorexia, depression
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes