About
A tender, evergreen shrub with pinnate leaves composed of rounded, irregularly-margined, glossy dark green leaflets. Site in a warm conservatory or as a houseplant.
About the genus
Polyscias are evergreen shrubs and small trees with simple, pinnate or palmately dissected leaves; small greenish flowers are borne in umbels aggregated into panicles, and may be followed by small black berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toE Malesia, W Pacific
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full or bright, filtered light. In growth, water freely, mist daily and apply a balanced liquid feed every month. Water sparingly in winter
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed; take greenwood cuttings in early summer, or root leafless stem sections with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free