How to Grow False Aralia
Plerandra elegantissima
False aralia is an elegant tropical houseplant with deeply serrated, dark green to almost black narrow leaflets arranged in a palmate pattern. It thrives in bright indirect light and high humidity, preferring consistently moist but well-drained soil. The key challenge is avoiding leaf drop, which happens when the plant is moved, exposed to draughts, or subjected to sudden temperature changes. Keep it in a stable, warm spot away from cold windows and heating vents.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during spring and summer. Reduce to monthly in autumn and winter when growth slows.
Watch For
- Spider mites
- Mealybug
- Scale insects
- Leaf drop from draughts or temperature changes
- Root rot from overwatering
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light
Thrives in bright, filtered light away from direct sun. Can tolerate some lower light but growth becomes leggy. Avoid direct afternoon sun which scorches the delicate leaflets.
Watering
Keep consistently moist, never soggy
Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. Use room-temperature water and ensure good drainage. Overwatering causes root rot; underwatering causes leaf drop.
Fertilizing
Every two weeks in spring and summer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks during the growing season. Reduce to monthly in autumn and winter. Avoid over-fertilising which can cause salt buildup and leaf burn.
Pruning
Prune leggy growth in spring
Cut back tall, bare stems in early spring to encourage branching. New growth emerges below the cut. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves at the base throughout the year.
Spacing
60 cm from other plants
Give the plant space for its spreading leaflets to display without touching other plants. Good air circulation around the foliage helps prevent pest issues.
Support
No support needed
Grows as a self-supporting upright shrub. May benefit from a decorative stake if it becomes very top-heavy with age, but this is rarely necessary indoors.
Growing Tips
Avoid moving the plant
False aralia is sensitive to environmental changes. Once you find a spot where it's happy, leave it there. Moving it causes leaf drop that takes weeks to recover from.
Boost humidity
Mist regularly or place on a pebble tray with water. Brown leaf edges indicate the air is too dry. Grouping with other plants also helps raise local humidity.
Prune for bushiness
The plant tends to become leggy with age. Prune back in spring to encourage branching and maintain a full, bushy shape. New growth emerges from just below the cut.
