Description
The Ming aralia has the lacy, layered foliage you'd expect in the lobby of a nice hotel, and now you can have that same polished look at home. Its finely cut leaves are soft and feathery, a little like bunches of parsley, which is why some people call it the parsley aralia. It grows on woody stems that branch into rounded heads of green, giving it a soft, almost bonsai-like shape. Native to the tropics from India through to Polynesia, the Ming aralia settles at around 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) indoors.
It's a plant that makes a room feel considered, the plant people assume you fussed over even though it mostly just wants a warm, bright, steady spot. Ming aralias do appreciate consistency, so once you find a place it's happy, it holds onto that full, lacy shape and keeps it. If you'd like to see how tall and full yours is before it arrives, we can walk you through the greenhouse on a live video call and show you the exact plant you're getting.
Care
How do you care for a Ming aralia?
Ming aralia care comes down to consistency, so aim for bright indirect light, evenly moist soil, warmth, and a bit of humidity, and keep those steady. Settle it into one good spot rather than moving it around, and it will stay full and feathery. We're always here if you'd like a hand finding its place.
Does the Ming aralia like sun or shade?
Your Ming aralia is happiest in bright, indirect light, ideally near a window that doesn't get harsh midday sun. It can cope with a little shade, though its foliage grows fuller and denser the more bright light it receives, so lean toward the brighter spot when you can.
How often do you water a Ming aralia?
Keep your Ming aralia evenly moist, watering when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, which usually works out to about once a week. Let the excess drain away each time, and ease off a little in winter, since this plant likes steady moisture but never wants to sit in soggy soil.
Does a Ming aralia need humidity?
Yes, the Ming aralia is a tropical plant that loves humidity, so a pebble tray, a nearby humidifier, or the occasional misting all help it thrive. A kitchen or a bathroom with a window can be a lovely home for it, since the naturally damper air there suits it beautifully.
Do you need to fertilize a Ming aralia?
Feed your Ming aralia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer about once a month from spring through fall, while it's actively growing. Let it rest over winter with no feeding, and it will pick its pace back up on its own once the warmer, brighter months return.
How do you make a Ming aralia bushy?
To keep your Ming aralia full and bushy, pinch or trim the stem tips in spring, which encourages the plant to branch out lower down. A little light pruning now and then also lets you shape it, and the aralia plant takes to trimming so well that many people train it like a bonsai.
How big does a Ming aralia get indoors?
Indoors, your Ming aralia grows slowly to around 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m), staying tall and narrow rather than spreading out. It's happy in a snug pot and doesn't mind being a little rootbound, which also helps keep it at a size that suits your space.
Pet friendly?
We'll be straight with you here:
the Ming aralia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists its close relative, the geranium-leaf aralia, as toxic to pets, and Ming aralia's leaves and sap contain the same kind of saponins, which can cause drooling and an upset stomach if chewed. Serious reactions are uncommon, but a spot out of reach keeps curious pets comfortable, and it's worth wearing gloves when pruning if your skin runs sensitive.
Is the Ming aralia toxic to dogs?
The Ming aralia is mildly toxic to dogs, and a curious chew can bring on drooling, mouth irritation, or a bit of vomiting. Standing it where a wagging tail and inquisitive mouth can't reach the lower leaves keeps your dog safely clear of it.
Is the Ming aralia toxic to cats?
Cats should also be kept away from the Ming aralia, as the same saponins can cause mouth discomfort and stomach upset if nibbled. Since its feathery leaves can look tempting to bat at, a higher or quieter spot protects both the plant and your cat.
Factoids
What is the common name for the Ming aralia?
The Ming aralia's botanical name is Polyscias fruticosa, and you'll also see it sold as the parsley aralia, for its parsley-like leaves, or simply the Ming tree. Whatever the label, it's the same feathery, layered plant grown as an indoor shrub.
Can you grow a Ming aralia as a bonsai?
Yes, the Ming aralia is a favorite for bonsai, since its woody stems and layered heads of foliage already give it a natural bonsai shape. It takes to pruning and training well, so you can keep it compact and sculpted or let it grow into a taller indoor tree.
Does the Ming aralia flower indoors?
Ming aralias rarely flower indoors, and that's perfectly normal, since they're grown for their fine, feathery foliage rather than their blooms. Outdoors in the tropics they can produce small cream-colored flowers, but inside it's all about that lush green shape.
How long does a Ming aralia live?
The Ming aralia is a slow-growing, long-lived plant, so a well-kept one can be a companion for many years and well beyond. That steady, unhurried pace is part of the appeal, since your plant holds its shape and character over a long stretch of time.
Buy a Ming aralia
A Ming aralia gives you a tall, refined, lobby-worthy plant that asks for surprisingly little floor space in return. Ours arrive full and healthy from our New Jersey greenhouse, and if you'd like to choose yours first, book a free video shopping call so we can show you around the greenhouse on camera. When you're ready, we deliver it ourselves by van and driver, with none of the shipping-box handling, and stay on hand to help with Ming aralia care for as long as you own it.
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Ming aralia, feathery indoor tree | Dahing Plants
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Meet the Ming aralia, a slim, feathery indoor tree with a lobby-worthy look. Get Ming aralia care tips, see yours on a free video call, and we deliver by van.