What is a false aralia?
False aralia (Plerandra elegantissima, formerly Dizygotheca elegantissima) is a tropical tree from the islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia in the South Pacific. It is grown as a houseplant for its striking, deeply cut leaves — narrow, serrated leaflets radiate out like fingers from a central stem, giving the plant an intricate, lacy silhouette. Young plants often display dark coppery-bronze foliage that gradually turns deep green as the plant matures. When well cared for indoors it can reach six feet or more, making it a bold architectural statement.
How much light does a false aralia need?
False aralia wants bright, indirect light — think a few feet back from a south-facing window, or directly in front of an east or west window. Good light keeps the leaflets close together and the color richly dark. In dim conditions the plant stretches, the leaflets grow further apart, and the deep coloring fades toward plain green. Avoid direct midday sun, which scorches the thin leaflets and bleaches the color out.
How often should you water a false aralia?
Water every 1–2 weeks, checking first that the top inch or two of soil has dried out. False aralia dislikes wet feet — consistently soggy soil leads to root rot and yellowing leaves — but it also dislikes drying out completely, which triggers the leaf drop it is famous for. Use a well-draining potting mix and a pot with drainage holes, and never let the saucer fill with standing water.
Why does a false aralia drop so many leaves?
This is the plant’s signature complaint and it nearly always comes down to environmental instability. Cold drafts, heating vents, low humidity, a recent move, temperature swings below 60°F (16°C), or overwatering can all trigger a sudden defoliation. The fix is simple in principle but requires discipline: find the warmest, most stable, most humid spot you have, put the plant there, and leave it alone. It will typically push new growth once it settles, provided the roots are healthy.
How do you raise humidity for a false aralia indoors?
Because false aralia needs high humidity (50% or more), standard room air — especially in winter — is rarely sufficient. The most reliable solutions are a dedicated humidifier near the plant, or a pebble tray: fill a saucer with pebbles, add water up to (but not touching) the pot base, and let evaporation do the work. Misting the leaves provides only a few minutes of humidity and can encourage fungal spots; it is a supplement at best, not a solution.
Is false aralia toxic to pets?
Yes — the ASPCA lists false aralia as toxic to cats and dogs. The plant is catalogued under its old name Dizygotheca elegantissima. Keep it out of reach of pets, as ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset.