Question

Unknown Potted Plant   QUESTION: Can you please help me identify this beautiful plant I am sending you pictures of?
I purchased it about one year ago, when it was much smaller, from the grocery store. It was growing perfectly until I fell ill and was hospitalized for one week. When I returned from the hospital my plant began to lose leaves. It was devastating to see it lose up to 4 leaves in one day! It never recovered from that or grew new leaves, and I suspect it was over-watered.

Thank you very much for taking a look. I appreciate having found the site and your expertise.

-Brisa

ANSWER: Hi Brisa,

Your mystery plant is a Polyscias balfouriana, sometimes called Balfour Aralia. It is a close relative of the more common Ming Aralia or Polyscias fruticosa. It is one of my favorite plants.

This is a plant that must be kept tightly potted, resents having its roots disturbed, and can be very fussy about precise watering until its roots are very well-established.

It needs to be within a few feet of a sunny window. The soil, should dry down about one-eighth of the ways deep into the pot before watering it thoroughly. As I mentioned, it can be quite particular about the watering so you have to be very careful not to water too soon or too late or it will shed leaves. Over watering will rot the rots and that can be fatal. Under watering will case leaf drop, but the plant usually recovers.

I can only see a small portion of your plant in the photo, so it is hard to make specific recommendations. However, if there are long,leggy stems, they should be pruned back.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Picture 2   QUESTION: Here is another picture of my plant, I was unable to upload it the first time.
Given what you told me, I might have to prune the extra long stems we see in the picture?
Thank You!

Answer
Hi Brisa,

Thanks for the additional photo. Your Aralia looks healthy now, although a bit leggy. As long as you can stay out of the hospital, I am sure your plant will do fine!

I suggest that you prune back just the tallest stem to a a point that is near the top of the next tallest stems.

Be sure to keep the plant close to a window so that the new growth is compact and the stems do not become elongated.

~Will