Polyscias

(Ming aralia) Ming

Twisting, woody stems topped with lacy, feathery leaves in fresh green: one look and you'll see why people call this one the Ming aralia. It grows like a little tree in a pot, with an almost bonsai-like silhouette, and brings height and a soft, airy texture to a corner without taking over the room. Picture it beside a bright window in your living room, with the light filtering through all those finely cut leaves. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific it has long been grown as a hedge and garden shrub, so this green friend is tougher than its delicate looks suggest. Give it a steady spot and it will reward you with fresh, bright new shoots in your urban jungle.

Give it a bright spot with plenty of filtered light, a little way back from a sunny window, because strong midday sun can scorch those fine leaves. Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry, then let the excess drain away: it likes soil that's lightly moist, never soggy, and wet feet are the quickest route to yellowing leaves. It enjoys higher humidity and temperatures between 16 and 26 °C, so a light mist or a spot away from the radiator keeps the foliage full and lush. Draughts and frequent moves can make it drop a few leaves, so pick a place you're happy with and let it settle in. If it sulks a little at first, don't worry, it usually bounces back. Feed it every few weeks in spring and summer with a liquid plant food, and repot into fresh potting soil every two years when the roots fill the pot. Keep it out of reach of curious pets, as the leaves can upset their tummies.

Your order will be hand picked and packed in our strong and sustainable packaging as soon as possible, after which it will be delivered straight from our greenhouse to your door by your chosen carrier. You can follow the journey of your plants via the tracking link you receive in your mail. If you have any questions regarding your order and its shipment, you can get in contact with our support team.

We expect every order to arrive in tip-top shape. We take intensive care of the plants in our greenhouse and use special and as sustainable as possible protective packaging to ship our plants. We also wrote an extensive blog about how to unpack and prepare your plants for growth after shipping. However there are rare occasions where our plants don’t meet their full potential. That’s why all plants are guaranteed for 30 days after arrival, if still in its original nursery pot.