How to Grow and Care for Polyscias (Ming Aralia)

For growing Polyscias, a loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil is best. Keep it in a bright, indirect light environment. Water according to how dry the soil is, following the principle of “water thoroughly once the soil dries out”, generally once every 1-2 days, and reduce watering frequency in winter. During the growing season (April to June), apply a dilute cake fertilizer solution once a month, and stop fertilizing after winter sets in. Change the soil once every two years in spring.

1. How to Grow Polyscias

Watering

Potted Polyscias prefers a relatively moist soil and air environment. During the growing season it needs a sufficient water supply, so water it once every 1 to 2 days.

Adjust according to the specific situation: water thoroughly once the soil dries out, and it does not matter if the soil is slightly on the dry side, but do not water too frequently, to avoid waterlogging and root rot.

Soil

Polyscias likes a loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil. Generally, change the soil once every two years in spring; when changing the soil, use peat soil mixed with one third river sand.

Light

Polyscias is suited to growing in a semi-lit environment with bright, indirect light. It needs bright light, but at the same time it dislikes strong direct sun, especially in early summer after a long spell of rain followed by the first clear day, so prevent the leaves from being scorched.

Fertilizing

Polyscias has a high fertilizer requirement for growth.

During the vigorous growth period from April to June, fertilize once every one to two months. For home potted plants, you can water on a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% monopotassium phosphate, or scatter or bury a small amount of multi-element slow-release compound fertilizer granules on the surface of the potting soil.

2. Precautions for Polyscias

Different seasons, different amounts of water

In midsummer, when the temperature is higher, besides watering adequately, you also need to spray the leaf surface once a day.

In late autumn and early winter, when the temperature drops below 15°C, watering should be controlled.

In winter, reduce the amount of water given, or replace watering with spraying. Keep the potting soil slightly moist and on the dry side, but when spraying the leaf surface, make sure the water temperature is basically the same as the room temperature.

Loosen the soil in time

During the growing season, along with fertilizing, loosen the soil of the potted plant once a month, so that the potting soil stays well aerated for a long time and root rot caused by compacted potting soil is avoided.

Place potted plants in a well-ventilated spot

For home potted plants, you can usually place them near a south-facing opening in a well-ventilated spot. In summer, place them in front of a north- or east-facing window, and in winter, place them in a brighter spot indoors.

Fertilize sensibly

After Mid-Autumn, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and apply 1-2 rounds of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to increase the plant's cold resistance and help it overwinter smoothly.

After winter sets in, the plant has stopped growing, so stop fertilizing to avoid damaging the roots.