Ming araliais an exotic houseplant native to India and Polynesia.
Likefalse aralia, it may eventually reach over 6 feet in height with the proper care.
The plant is toxic to dogs and cats.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Here are the main care requirements for growing Ming aralia.
Light
Ming aralia likes bright, indirect light and tolerates light shade.
Aim for about six to eight hours of filtered light a day.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Ming aralia is said to do especially well in north-facing light.
Water
It’s important to keep your Ming aralia consistently moist but never saturated.
Additionally, decrease your watering frequency in the winter, watering your plant every other week instead.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
For your plant to thrive, you will want to ensure temperatures in your home maintain a balmy baseline.
Aralia prefers temperatures between 65-85F and cannot tolerate anything below 60F.
Ming aralias tend to lose their leaves during cold, dry winter months if subjected to cold air.
Prevent this by supplying it with steady warmth, aided by a bottom heater if necessary.
Fertilizer
Feed your Ming aralia with aliquid fertilizermonthly throughout its growing period (spring through fall).
It is a compact dwarf cultivar with curled leaves that resemble parsley.
As with all aralias, it is grown for the attractive foliage as it rarely blooms as a houseplant.
Propagating Ming Aralia
Ming aralia can be propagated fairly easily through its cuttings.
Provide them with plenty of warmth and moisture, and the cuttings should take root within a few weeks.
Potting and Repotting Ming Aralia
Repot annuallyas needed, or every other year.
They don’t object to being slightly pot-bound, but you should refresh or top-dress the soil annually.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The good news is that Ming aralia is fairly resistant to pests.
There are several possible causes.
Take care to feed the plant monthly.
If your plant is located near an air conditioner vent or open window, it may also shed foliage.
And it’s best to water with collected rainwater or distilled water, not tap water.
Too much salt buildup will eventually damage the roots and reduce growth.
Ming aralia is a slow-growing plant.
Under ideal conditions, it lives for up to 20 years.
The leaves and shoots of Ming aralia are edible when young.
They are consumed raw or cooked as a vegetable, and used for flavoring.
Yes, Ming aralia can be trained as a bonsai to symbolize peace, harmony, and balance.
Unlike other bonsai, the plant is usually not wired but pruned regularly to maintain its shape.
The main benefit of a Ming aralia in your home is that it is an attractive plant.
While it is also said to purify the air, there are no studies to support this claim.
Ming aralia is used as a herbal remedy in traditional medicine.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension
Polysciasfruticosa.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Louisiana State University College of Agriculture.
Mineral and Fertilizer Salt Deposits on Indoor Plants.University of Maryland Extension.
