Common Name: fern-leaf aralia
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Araliaceae
Native Range: New Caledonia, New Guinea
Zone: 11 to 12
Height: 6.00 to 8.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: Pale yellow to white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 11-12 where plants are best grown in rich, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. In temperate climates, fern-leaf aralia is a very popular and relatively easy-to-grow houseplant. Indoor container plants may be grown in a variety of soils as long as the drainage is good. Plants generally thrive in peaty, sandy, soil-based potting mixes that have excellent drainage. Containers should be placed in part sun, part filtered sun, or bright light including locations at a north window. Morning sun is good, but avoid direct full sun indoors. Water deeply and then allow soils to nearly dry before the next watering. Avoid both wet and dry soils. Plants thrive in locations with moderate to high humidity. Consider placing containers on trays of wet pebbles and/or mist foliage in order to increase humidity levels. Plants are easily propagated from cuttings. Minimum indoor temperature for this plant is 60 degrees F. Tip prune as needed to encourage branching and foliage density.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Polyscias filicifolia, commonly called fern-leaf aralia or angelica, is a columnar evergreen shrub that is native to Malaysia or the western Pacific, but has over time been introduced into a large number of tropical and subtropical areas around the world. It typically grows to 6-8' tall. In temperate climates, it is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant for enjoyment of its handsome fern-like foliage. Once pinnate leaves are evergreen. Leaflet shape on the same plant can vary. Juvenile leaflets are fern-like, lanceolate and deeply cut with jagged edges. Mature leaflets are broad-ovate and sometimes entire. Pale yellow to white flowers in free-branching inflorescences (to 6" long) bloom in summer. Fruit is a drupe. Plants rarely flower or fruit in cultivation outside the tropics.
Genus name comes from the Greek words polys meaning many and skias meaning canopy like a sunshade because of the main umbel being divided into numerous lesser umbels.
Specific epithet means with leaves resembling fern.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for aphids, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies and nematodes. Root rot may occur in overly moist soils. Mites in dry conditions.
Uses
Tropical specimen/accent or hedge for frost free areas. Where not winter hardy, plants may be grown indoors in containers.