How to Grow and Care for False Aralia Plants

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False Aralias are a very popular houseplant – and for a good reason! Their beautiful foliage is uniquely textured and serrated along the fringes. 

Over time, the foliage of False Aralias changes color. Most of the time, the juvenile plants start out copper or burgundy colored, and with time, their color slowly deepens and turns to a darker green. 

They are native to the South Pacific and prone to warmer and more humid growing conditions. They prefer a steady water supply (but not oversaturation) and do best when the humidity level is above average. 

Due to the increasing popularity of False Aralias, we’ve learned a lot about what makes this plant unique and how to grow them indoors as houseplants successfully. 

Keep reading to learn all you need to know to grow and care for False Aralia Plants.  

Plant Facts

How to Grow False Aralia Plants

False Aralias have become some of the most popular houseplants. Aralias in small, decorative containers look great as coffee or side-table pieces. Taller, mature Aralias in larger containers are useful for decorating rooms and larger spaces. 

They require bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day. Therefore, growing false aralia near windows with filtered light from curtains is especially ideal. Aralias have performed well in kitchens and bathrooms for higher humidity. 

These species adapt well to their environment. They can be planted year-round and easily transitioned into your home at a moment’s notice. In the right conditions, False Aralias can also be grown outdoors, for example, in states like California, Hawaii, and Florida.

Below are more details on how to grow false aralia indoors. 

Propagation

False Aralia plants can be propagated from seed. However, this process is by far the most time-consuming. In addition, it’s impossible to know how the new plants will turn out. 

Propagating Aralias from cuttings is a much faster process. Plus, it’s more reliable; you can guarantee that the new plants will take on the qualities you already love about the parent plant. For those reasons, we recommend propagating from stem cuttings over from seeds. 

Propagating from soft-wood cuttings is a relatively simple process. It’s best to take your cuttings during the summer. Prune a young, healthy-looking shoot from the base of the parent plant. We recommend taking multiple cuttings.

Prepare a new container with a potting mix that is optimal for these plants. Dip the fresh cuttings in roots hormone (this step is optional but recommended). Plant the cuttings in the container around the outer rim, and pat around the cuttings to help them stand up straight.

Water the cuttings after planting and cover them in plastic to create a small greenhouse-like environment for best results. Remove the plastic after a few weeks, and check for new growth or an established root system by tugging gently upwards. If there are roots or new growth, you may care for the plants as usual or transplant them into their own containers. 

Soil

These plants do not grow well in spongy growing mediums. Instead, they prefer chunky, peat-based growing mediums. Peat-based potting mixes do well to absorb and hold onto moisture while draining excess water. These plants do not like to grow in oversaturated soil.

To ensure that the container your Aralia plant is growing in can drain adequately, make sure it has a sufficient amount of drainage holes. Typically, two or three is a good number to shoot for. If you’d like, you can also line the bottom of your container with pebbles before putting in a potting mix to prevent the soil from compacting along the bottom and affecting drainage. 

Pruning

Since these plants are slow-growing, very little pruning is necessary, if any at all. Just keep an eye out for any dead or dying foliage, and remove them whenever necessary.

Depending on the space you are working with, you may need to consider pruning to control the plant’s shape and size. If you decide to prune,  we recommend doing so sometime before the active growing season in the Spring.

Repotting and Transplanting

False Aralias tend to be slow growers. Therefore, they will not require annual repotting. On the contrary, False Aralias like to be snug (slightly root bound) in their containers. 

The number one reason to consider repotting is if adequate drainage is affected negatively by the plant becoming too crowded in its container. So if you do re-pot or a transplant, avoid using too large of a container. 

How to Care for False Aralia Plants

Caring for a False Aralia plant is simple – which is why we love them as houseplants! Once you’ve got their location regarding sunlight exposure, all that’s left is to ensure moist soil and humidity are consistent. 

Water

These plants can be slightly fussy when it comes to their water consumption. They prefer a steady amount of hydration. Depending on your local climate, and the drainage of the soil and container, this could mean watering multiple times a week. 

Ironically, if False Aralis are overwatered, their foliage will begin to wilt. Ironically, if False Aralis are overwatered, their foliage will begin to wilt. To avoid overwatering and root rot, we recommend checking the topsoil before watering. If the top one or two inches of soil feels dry, it’s safe to water despite the lower soil feeling moist.

Sunlight

Generally speaking, all varieties of False Aralia enjoy bright light and indirect sunlight. Therefore, they perform really well indoors when placed in east-facing windows for morning sun, west-facing windows for afternoon sun, or south-facing windows for all-day sun. 

What’s cool about False Aralia plants is that their foliage changes colors depending on their sunlight exposure. With the proper amount of indirect sunlight, the mature leaves deepen in color. The transformation is fantastic to observe over time. 

However, the leaves may burn and turn brown if the plant receives too much direct sunlight exposure.

Temperature and Humidity

All varieties of False Aralia love warm weather.  Their ideal temperature spectrum is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For that reason, most False Aralias are grown indoors, especially during the winter months. 

Some varieties of Aralias are known to tolerate colder temperatures. However, any prolonged exposure to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will eventually kill the plant. 

These plants enjoy humidity. They do best in environments with ambient humidity levels of at least 50%. If you live in a tropical and humid location, your Aralia will be happy growing practically anywhere like any tropical plant. However, if you live in a drier location, you may need to help out your Arlia get the humidity it requires to thrive. 

For more humidity, we recommend positioning your Aralia plant in the bathroom or kitchen, where it can get warm moisture from steamy showers and cooking. You can also spray your plant with water on a weekly basis to add moisture to the air. If you are growing a smaller plant, you can also position your container on top of a humidifying tray. IF all else fails, you can try a humidifier machine.

Fertilizer

Fale Aralias are not heavy feeders and do not require routine fertilizing to be successful. With that said, they can be slow growers. So if you want to encourage faster growth, you may consider using a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer (about 50% of the recommended dosage) during the Spring and Summer months. Hold off on any fertilizing during the winter months. 

Pest and Diseases

False Aralias are susceptible to common houseplant pests. It’s not uncommon for Aralias to be affected by scale insects, spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. An overwhelming infestation of any of these insects may spell disaster for your False Aralia. So it’s best to monitor your plants.

Spider mites appear as small, yellow, or brown dots on the undersides of the leaves. They can also leave behind a web-like residue. 

Mealybugs also leaf behind residue. They can be identified by the cotton-like puffs they leave on the leaves and stems. These usually are egg sacs or the insects themselves. 

If caught in time, you can treat most insect infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Dilute the product in a spray bottle and wash the foliage as best you can. We recommend you separate the affected plant from other houseplants.  However, if the infestation is terrible, and if you’re worried about the health of your other plants, you may need to get rid of the sick plant. 

Common Varieties and Cultivars

Although there are few varieties and cultivars within the S. elegantissima family, this is a plant with many closely related cousins. Here are some varieties of S. elegantissima  as well as some alternatives to consider, most of which have similar care requirements. 

Taiwanese Umbrella Plant (S. taiwaniana)

This type of plant comes from the same family as Aralias and is an evergreen umbrella plant. It is native to Taiwan, where it grows in coniferous forests between 6,0000 and 9,000 feet above sea level. The unique, parasol-like foliage arrange themselves radially from the center. The leaflet has a silver, hairy texture when they are juvenile plants. As adult plants, the foliage is much smoother.

They are primarily grown for their attractive foliage, but they can also flower (but probably not if grown indoors). The flowers come in late spring or summer, followed by dark-colored berries in the winter. It is one of the hardier varieties and can tolerate temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Dwarf Umbrella Tree (S. arboricola)

If you have a larger space that needs decorating, like the living room or office space, the Dwarf Umbrella Tree is your best bet. It is a smaller version of the Schefflera actinophylla which makes it perfect for indoor spaces. When planted in a larger container, this variety of Aralia can grow to be 5 feet tall. 

The leaves are rounded and not serrated like other Aralia varieties and fan outwards from the center like an umbrella. For that reason, this plant is also sometimes called the Parasol Tree. Keep this plant’s soil moist and let it get plenty of bright indirect light.

Galaxy False Aralia (P. elegantissima ‘Galaxy’)

This variety of False Aralia boasts shinier leaves than others. The foliage also tends to be a much darker green color than other Aralias, like for example, the Gold Crest Aralia. The Galaxy Aralia prefers bright, indirect sunlight and high humidity. When it’s small, we love this Aralia as an accent piece in bathrooms, or in the window above the kitchen sink.   

Gold Crest False Aralia (P. elegantissima ‘Gold Crest’)

The Gold Crest variety is one of the more popular False Aralias. It has beautiful, delicate, and feathery gold-crested leaves. It brings brightness to whatever space you plant it in. For that reason, we love the Gold Crest on side tables or coffee tables where they can catch the natural light and where you can observe the intricacies of their foliage as you sit and relax. 

Olympia False Aralia (P. elegantissima ‘Olympia’)

This variety of False Aralia is known for its dark green leaves. However, over time, and depending on their sun exposure, the delicate leaves become flushed with accents of red and violet. The leaflets have a unique, serrated shape and boast a rather elegant look.

Like other varieties of False Aralia, the Olympia prefers bright and indirect sunlight or late-day direct sun. If grown close to the window, filtration with curtains is helpful. In the center of the room, the diffused light will be perfect. 

FAQs

Why is my False Aralia losing leaves?

False Aralia can lose leaves due to environmental stress, such as changes in light conditions, overwatering, or pest infestations. Addressing the underlying issue, providing consistent care, and ensuring a suitable environment can help prevent leaf loss.

What are the disadvantages of Aralia plant?

Disadvantages of the False Aralia include its sensitivity to environmental changes and its susceptibility to spider mites. Additionally, it may not thrive in conditions of low humidity or poor air circulation. Regular care and attention to its specific needs can help overcome these challenges.

Conclusion

False Aralias are an excellent addition to your houseplant collection. 

The slender, serrated sawtooth-like leaves of False Aralias make this plant one of a kind. For that reason, we love gifting Aralias to friends and family because of their compact size as juvenile plants. Fortunately, they have yet to disappoint the lucky folks who have received them as gifts!

False Aralias come from warm, humid environments but have adapted well to life indoors as houseplants. They will not disappoint so long as you keep their soil moist and the local humidity relatively high. If you fertilize during the growing season and monitor for pests, this plant will take care of itself. 

Have fun and enjoy your new houseplants with our false aralia care tips! 

*image by sharafmaksumov/depositphotos

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