Aralia for Interior: grown in a wide variety of leaf forms and colorations

In today’s interiorscape marketplace it is common for the designer, specifier or sales person to become frustrated at the prospect of using and reusing the "same old plants": mass cane, Janet Craig, spaths, marginatas, chams, etc.

There is a certain group of plants receiving more attention during recent years and is being more widely recognized for its successful application in high quality interior plantings.

An article by Derek Burch and T K Broschat provides one of  the very few scholarly insights into the group of plants commonly known as 'aralias'.

In this piece, the authors make a memorable reference to the use of these plants by interiorscapers referring to the recognition by interiorscapers of the value of this ugly duckling for dark, hot locations, which few other plants will tolerate.

The thinking regarding these plants has come a long way in the  last 15 years, and I know of few interiorscape designers who would think of a fully flushed ming aralia (Polyscias fruiticosa) or a towering, heavily cane, branched and foliated chicken gizzard aralia ( Polyscias crispata ) as "ugly ducklings". (No pun here). 

Most interiorscapers experienced with these plants would agree that many of the cultivars and species are truly superior interiorscape plants with phenomenal "staying power" on the job. Even when used in those hot, dark places referred to in the article.

Over the years, aralias have fallen in and out of favor with growers and plants buyers alike. For many years International Botanicals as former a interiorscaper recognized the value of Aralias and endeavored to grow wonderful specimen pieces from multiple canes and specimens recovered from the landscape. They sought to expand the variety of aralias grown, in pot sizes and forms in which these plants are offered.

Aralias grow in a wide variety of leaf forms and coloration. Common leaf forms are the familiar elegant, lacy leaves of the Ming, the rounded leaflets of the chicken gizzard, those of the large, aptly named 'dinner plate' aralia and the tightly crinkled leaves of the black or 'spinach leaf' aralia.

Variegations run from gold, cream or white, to solid green, and range from dark green, tending to almost black with some being nearly burgundy- colored in their leaves and petioles. The really attractive aspects, however, are the massive woody trunks and sweeping, curving branches and heavy, dense and somewhat shaggy foliage of the specimen plants.

Naturally, not every application suitable for using aralias lends  itself to the use of the specimen plants. Most aralias lend themselves to use as smaller plants as well. In 6" and 8" pots,  and grown as "bonsai" plants they are superior table top and  reception counter accents, interesting in their shape and color. 

In some varieties, 10" plants will achieve heights of 4 feet or  so. In 14" pots, many varieties are grown in forms which will result in plants of approximately 3 to 4 feet in height (stump or bush) or plants in the range of 5 to 6 (cane or specimen pieces). The specimens, which make such stunning centerpieces, are typically in pot sizes of 17" and 21" or more and range in heights of 7 to 12 feet.

Successful Use of Aralias in the Interiorscape Environment

Successful use of aralias in the interiorscape environment depends to a large degree on the care the plants receive in the nursery where they are grown. Aralias must be grown in a light, well-aerated soil.

Adequate watering is of course, essential, but over-watering is above all the greatest cause of the demise of virtually all Aralias. The frequency and amount of watering and fertilization will be determined by the light level available to the plant at its location in the interiorscape. It is generally thought that plants will thrive when kept on the dry side. Some reports from the field call for watering only every three weeks in low light situations. Controlled watering devices may be called for in many applications.

Long time users of aralias in interiorscapes have frequently told of plants being "on the job" in interiors for 10 years or more. Assuming proper conditions and care this is really not an unreasonable expectation. An added bonus in these long term circumstances is the fact that, unlike many varieties of  interiorscape plants which are growing robustly in their environment, aralias may be selectively pruned on the job and will regenerate new foliage at the cut end.

Given appropriate site selection and proper care, the potential for truly long on-the-job life should provide a large measure of  balance to the perceived high up-front cost of some aralias.

Troubleshooting Aralia Problems

Aralia Leaf Drop - What Causes it?

Leaf drop on Aralias indoors usually comes from a humidity problem of the air being too dry. Many of the problems Aralis face start with humidity issues.

Brown Edges on Leaves?

Brown eedges on Aralias agin come back to a lack of humidity or a fertilizer burn. Aralias can also get brown leaves by exposure to air movement drying the leaves.

Wilting from Water

Aralias are much life Ficus in the watering department, they are sensitive to overwatering and drop leaves when the plant stays too wet. Dropping leaves can also result from temperature changes - too hot or too cool.

Over-grown or Weak Limbs

Aralias love light. When plants do not get enough light they can produce stretched growth but weak growth. Pruning back in the spring should help the plant fill in any bare spots.

Insect problems on Aralias

Aralias can at times face battles with aphids, spider mites or scale. Look at this natural pest control solutionl.

Discover the Natural Solution For These Plant Pest!
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