Polyscias fruticosa (Ming Aralia)

Ming aralia is one of the most popular of the polyscias with its upright-spreading growth habit and fine-textured, pinnately-divided leaves. Polyscias fruticosa Elegans (Parsley Aralia) is an excellent dwarf cultivar with leaves that resemble some of the finely-divided strains of parsley. It produces an abundance of side shoots and compactly-arranged, small leaves that make it a good choice for small pots in the 4" to 8" diameter range. Cream flowers are small and inconspicuous, but are borne on 6" to 7" panicles at the stem tips. The Ming Aralia can be propagated using stem cuttings, root cuttings, suckers, and air layering. The top of the root should be level with the surface. Some cultivars produce an abundance of suckers that can be removed when their root system is developed.