Ming Aralia (Polyscias fruticosa): A Sculptural Indoor Plant for Elegant, Modern Spaces

Bring effortless sculptural elegance to your interior with Polyscias fruticosa, commonly known as the Ming Aralia. This refined tropical houseplant is prized for its delicate, lacy foliage and upright architectural form, making it a favorite among interior designers, retailers, and plant enthusiasts seeking a statement plant with understated sophistication.

Whether placed in an entryway, hallway, or modern living space, the Ming Aralia instantly elevates interiors with serene, botanical beauty.

Downloadable Brochure

Why You’ll Love the Ming Aralia?

Upright, Architectural Presence

The Ming Aralia grows strongly upright, making it ideal for tight spaces, corners, hallways, and entry areas with good light. Its finely divided, feathery leaves grow along the entire length of each stem, forming a full, cloud-like silhouette that adds vertical interest without overwhelming the room.

Distinctive, Full-Foliaged Texture

We offer multi-stem specimens only—never single stems. Multiple trunks grow together to create a sculptural, bonsai-like form with dense foliage and refined branching. This unique texture and structure give the Ming Aralia a design-forward look highly valued by retailers and interior stylists.

Excellent Indoor Adaptability

Ming Aralia thrives in bright, indirect to high light and can tolerate medium light conditions. Avoid low-light areas. Its vertical growth habit conserves floor space, making it perfect for modern, minimalist interiors where clean lines and height are key

Year-Round Style with Minimal Pruning

A slow-to-moderate grower, the Ming Aralia naturally maintains its shape. Occasional trimming of leggy or thinning stems encourages denser branching and keeps the plant looking polished year-round.

Low Water Needs

Unlike many tropical plants, Ming Aralia prefers less water. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Constant moisture can lead to root problems. It performs well in self-watering or sub-irrigated systems, provided the reservoir is not kept full.

Acclimates Slowly (Handle With Care)

This plant is known for its delicate nature. It does not like shock and may drop leaves if disturbed. Avoid repotting immediately after purchase, and limit frequent moving. Given time to acclimate, it typically rebounds and thrives.

Versatile Styling Options

Often styled as a standalone statement plant, Ming Aralia fits beautifully where other plants cannot—corners, near doorways (with sufficient light), hall ends, and architectural niches.

Available Sizes & Stem Counts
We offer full, multi-stem Ming Aralia plants in a range of sizes. Indoors, plants typically mature around 8–9 feet tall.

• • 2-gallon: 4 stems.
  • 3-gallon: 5 stems.
  • 5-gallon: 6 stems (pictured).
  • 7-gallon: 7 stems.

Height range at purchase: 4–8 feet

Additional Names

• • Polyscias fruticosa
  • Ming Aralia

Perfect For

• • Design-forward interiors
  • Retailers seeking distinctive statement plants
  • Residential corners, entryways, and hallways
  • Spaces requiring vertical greenery with sculptural appeal

While not the most common houseplant due to its sensitivity, those who choose the Ming Aralia love it for its unique elegance and refined structure.

About the Ming Aralia

Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, Ming Aralia is a finely textured, woody tropical shrub that naturally grows beneath bright forest canopies. This explains its preference for high filtered light and lower water compared to many tropical houseplants.

Its foliage grows along the entire length of its upright stems, creating a form that feels both airy and substantial—a rare combination that makes it visually striking indoors.

Because it is sensitive to environmental changes, allow the plant to fully acclimate before repotting or relocating. Stress from overwatering, cold drafts, or sudden movement may cause leaf drop, but the plant typically recovers once conditions stabilize.

Grower’s Care Tips

• • Let the plant fully acclimate before repotting
  • Water sparingly; allow soil to dry between waterings
  • Avoid sudden changes in light, temperature, or placement
  • Keep warm and provide bright, indirect light for best foliage density.

Pairing Suggestions
Ming Aralia should always be planted alone in its own pot, but it pairs beautifully when placed near:

• • Black Aralia.
  • Fabian Aralia.

These varieties offer complementary structure and create a cohesive, elevated plant display when grouped nearby (but not sharing soil).

Key Characteristics at a Glance

For availability or to place an order, contact:
West Coast Nurseries Group, Inc.
sales@westcoastnurseries.com