How to care for ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa)

Polyscias fruticosa · Ming tree

Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) — an evergreen shrub grown indoors for its finely cut, glossy compound leaves with toothed leaflets, reaching about 1.8–2.4 m; it rarely flowers outside the tropics. Ming aralia needs partial shade. Water it about every 7 days while it grows and about every 12 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting ming aralia through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 36 months.

When to plant ming aralia?

Plant or repot ming aralia in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every three years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting ming aralia through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Polyscias fruticosa
Family	Araliaceae
Also called	Ming tree
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 36 months
Grown in	At home

Ming aralia care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	—
Winter rest	every 12 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Part sun, filtered sun or bright light, including a spot at a north window; morning sun is good, but avoid full direct sun indoors.

Soil

Peaty, sandy, soil-based potting mix with excellent drainage.

Care

Water deeply, then let the soil nearly dry (the top 5 cm) before watering again; both wet and dry soil harm it, and wet soil brings root rot. It likes moderate to high humidity, so stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or mist the leaves; mites appear in dry air. Keep it above 15 °C. Tip-prune to encourage branching and denser foliage, and propagate from cuttings. Check for aphids, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies and nematodes.

Pests and diseases of Ming aralia

2 problems are recorded for ming aralia; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Pests

Other plants of the Araliaceae family

Ming aralia belongs to Araliaceae; 2 other plants of this family have a guide here.

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Houseplants you rarely repot

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.