Growing False Aralia: 7 Tips for False Aralia Plant Care

False aralia plants sprout crinkle-cut, dark green leaves. These tropical plants hail from New Caledonia, a South Pacific island. Botanists refer to this plant species, a member of the Araliaceae family, by several different botanical names, including Dizygotheca elegantissima, Plerandra elegantissima, and Schefflera elegantissima. If you can’t find these plants under the name “false aralia” in a plant store or greenhouse, look for them under the common names spider aralia, finger aralia, and threadleaf aralia.

False aralia flourishes indoors since it prefers hot or room-temperature climates. If you live in a tropical area like Florida, you can consider growing them outdoors—although too much direct sunlight can overwhelm their leaves. But they can also die easily in the cold of many regions’ winters—they struggle in temperatures lower than around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, they often make better houseplants. When you keep them on a windowsill as indoor plants, they can remain vibrant and continue growing year-round.

False aralia are tropical plants that make for vibrant indoor foliage. Learn how to grow false aralia with these seven tips:

1. 1. Choose the right potting soil. False aralia plants need well-draining solid soil or potting mix to truly thrive. They do best with a steady stream of water, but fast drainage is essential—too much water retention is counterproductive to the plants’ growth. Try a mixture with peat moss to start. As for propagation and repotting, handle these sensitive plants gingerly and remember these slow growers take a while to reach mature size.
2. 2. Create the right climate. If you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11, you can grow false aralia outdoors—otherwise, you’ll need to keep them as indoor plants. Place them near a window so they have plenty of bright indirect light. Through the winter months, make sure your house remains at a warm temperature. So long as you keep the plants above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, they should be able to thrive.
3. 3. Provide bright light. False aralia plants benefit from plenty of bright indirect light. Too much direct sun can cause the leaves to scorch, so make sure they have some shade if they’re outdoors. If you keep them as houseplants, they should be close to a window to receive plenty of light throughout the day.
4. 4. Simulate high humidity. Unless you live in a very humid climate, you’ll need to simulate the high humidity levels of your false aralia plants’ homeland. Mist your plants regularly or use a humidifier so they can enjoy all the benefits of a tropical climate in your home or backyard.
5. 5. Take care of pests early. Preventing a pest infestation from ever happening is best, but taking care of it fast should be your next priority. When you see aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites on your false aralias, strike as soon as possible with an insecticidal soap. Rub any of the upper or lower leaves with the solution and consider gingerly applying it to the topsoil as well.
6. 6. Use fertilizer. These plants may drop leaves or have other growth issues if you don’t maintain a steady fertilization schedule. Use a liquid fertilizer every other week while the plant is at the height of its growing season throughout the spring and summer at least. While false aralias can grow without extra help from fertilizer, they certainly benefit from the boost it gives.
7. 7. Water them plenty. Strike a balance between overwatering and underwatering these plants. Too much water leads to root rot and wilting, too little can starve the plants of necessary moisture. Odds are they need a little more moisture than other houseplants of yours, but you should make sure that water can also drain easily. Maintaining a regular weekly watering schedule every time you notice the soil or potting mix getting dry is best for growth.

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