Polyscias

Polyscias fruticosa

Ming Aralia

Polyscias fruticosa is a woody shrub or small tree from the humid tropics of the southwest Pacific and northern Australia, where it grows as understory and forest-margin vegetation. Give it bright indirect light and let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering, as its woody roots resent staying wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates steady warmth and good airflow.

Polyscias scutellaria

Shield Aralia

Polyscias scutellaria is a woody shrub or small tree native to humid islands of the western Pacific and Maluku, where it grows as warm tropical understory and edge growth. It prefers bright indirect light and an evenly moist but never soggy root run; water when the top inch of mix has dried, and err toward the longer interval, as woody Polyscias drop leaves and rot if kept wet. It tolerates ordinary household humidity but appreciates steady warmth and good airflow.

Polyscias guilfoylei

Geranium Aralia

Polyscias guilfoylei is a tropical island shrub to small tree from the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Vanuatu and nearby Pacific islands. It wants warmth and bright indirect light, with steady but never soggy moisture; its woody habit and tropical origin mean it dislikes both drought and standing water. Water when the top inch or two of mix has dried, and let excess drain freely.

Polyscias balfouriana

Balfour Aralia

Polyscias balfouriana is a woody shrub or small tree from the tropical forests of New Guinea and Queensland, grown indoors for its rounded, leathery foliage. It wants bright indirect light and an evenly-but-not-wet root zone; water when the top inch of mix has dried, letting it approach dryness between drinks since the woody base resents sitting soggy. It dislikes cold drafts and sudden moves, and can drop leaves when stressed.