False Aralia

False Aralia has slender leaflets that grow in a circle at the tops of stems so that they look like fingers. The new coppery brown foliage turns a dark, blackish-green as the plant matures. Its narrow, serrated leaflets give this small tree a lacy appearance, making it a graceful addition to a collection of tropical house plants.

False Aralia’s likes to stay put. Moving it to a new location may cause its leaves to drop. Shedding leaves may also indicate that humidity is too low. Mist the plant every morning or stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles. Misting also helps to prevent spider mites that may invade this plant.

False Aralia is slow-growing and doesn’t need pruned unless you want to control its height. Over time, it will drop its lower leaves, revealing a single tree-like trunk.
If you want, you can keep it short and shrubby by cutting it back each year. Don’t be afraid to prune it to 6” from the soil level. Spring is the best time to cut it back. New offsets will grow from the base of the plant.

Bright light, no direct sun. Too much sun exposure may cause leaf edges to turn brown

Water thoroughly and allow top 1” of soil to dry out between watering’s. Wilted leaves are a sign of overwatering.

Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) diluted by half. In fall and winter, feed monthly

Keep plant warm 65-85°F  year-round. Do not expose it to temperatures below 60°F, which can cause leaf drop.

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