Ming Aralia 8”

Polyscias fruticosa, commonly called Ming aralia or Ming tree, is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia known for its finely divided, feathery foliage that grows along woody, upright stems. What makes this plant special is its delicate, bonsai-like appearance—light, airy leaves combined with a tree-like structure that gives it a refined, sculptural look as it matures.

Light drives how full and compact the canopy stays. Place it in an east or south-facing window where it gets bright, consistent light without direct sun sitting on the foliage. Under grow lights, use 5000K–6500K placed 10–12 inches from the top of the plant. In lower light, the plant will thin out quickly, dropping inner leaves and becoming leggy. Strong, even light keeps the foliage dense and evenly distributed.

Watering needs to stay very consistent—this plant reacts quickly to changes. Allow the top portion of the soil to dry slightly, then water thoroughly and let it drain, using a mix of succulent soil, perlite, and orchid bark for airflow. If it dries out too far or experiences sudden changes, it will drop leaves rapidly. If leaves yellow and fall while the soil is still wet, the roots are staying too saturated. A thinning interior canopy usually points to light imbalance rather than watering frequency.