PlantFiles: Parsley Aralia
Polyscias fruticosa 'Elegans'

I recently purchased an Aralia/ Parsley at our local Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. Repotted and have been observing for about 4 weeks. Watering with all the other tropicals but it seemed to get real dry recently and started dropping leaves with stems attached. Watered immediately but doesn't seem to be reversing the stem/ leaf droppage. Have in south window, gets direct sun with no evidence of leaf burn. Signs seem to point to the location acceptable.
Any suggestions? or similar experiences?
Thanks.

Bought my example from - of all places - Ikea! I'm not sure if it's the big-box nature of the store, but I guess they have the bargaining power to obtain some occasionally uncommon specimen, and in good health too (contrary to the average Lowe's or Home Depot plant). I'd seen an occasional Aralias in smaller reputed nurseries, but usually only Ming Aralias. This one got my attention because its compound leaves are smaller.

Mine was obviously mass-produced, so it has a thick trunk cut back with many branches coming off random nodes. It's definitely tree-like (like the Ming) but in its own way since the leaves are smaller - more Bonsai-like, in a rainforest way. Great buy, though, and it's a hardy plant.

The aralia likes to be somewhat dry between waterings. I kept mine a bit too wet at first, and it responded by browning a bit and dropping new stem growths. However, I gave it a bit more sun and let it dry out about 1" into the soil between waterings. In the spring I let it get direct sun in a south-facing window for several hours a day and the plant never scorched. In bright light, it grows slowly, though new leaves come up and enlarge rather quickly in the spring and summer before they taper off and stay that way. However, it seems to tolerate purely indirect light as well, though it definitely grows even more slowly in these conditions. The one time I left town and let it get too dry, the delicate leaves all drooped heavily. However, some water and sun had it bounce back in a few days.

I definitely recommend this plant if you want something different and dependable. Not common, but it's hardy and definitely nice to look at. A great unconventional find.

The Polyscias fruticosa is native to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. The genus is tropical, with some 80 species. It will grow in almost any light. A well drained soil is a must, as the genus suffers from "wet feet". Water thoroughly and allow to almost completely dry out between waterings.

My specimen is about 20 years old, with 15 of those being in my care. It suffered from the traditional rapid forcing by less than reputable growers. After an almost complete crash, I managed to bring it around. I've been training it as a semi-bonzai for about 8 years, and have thickened the spindly trunk significantly. After a massive stripping of all leaves by rats, it bounced back again. My tree is apx. a foot and a half tall, and summers outside, winters in.