Plerandra elegantissima aka False Aralia
Taxonomy
Plerandra elegantissima, also known as Spider Aralia, False Aralia, Finger Aralia, and Threadleaf Aralia, is a flowering plant native to New Caledonia in the South Pacific. It is a popular houseplant that features curious-looking foliage that changes color from burgundy to deep green as it ages. This evergreen shrub or tree is often grown indoors in temperate regions, and is a great specimen plant for home and commercial office corners, atria, or larger interior landscape sites. While caring for Spider Aralia requires adjusting humidity levels, it is not too pretentious and can be planted all year round. It is even commonly cultivated as an outdoor tree in Hawaii, Florida, and parts of California. With its humidity-loving nature, Spider Aralia is a great companion for bathrooms and kitchens.
Common names
False AraliaHow to care for False Aralia
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for False Aralia, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
False Aralia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
False Aralia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the False Aralia prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for False Aralia plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
False Aralia is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Humidity
The False Aralia is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The False Aralia should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.
Region of origin
False Aralia’s native range is Southwest Pacific.
Flower
If you provide your False Aralia with adequate amounts of sunlight and water, it will bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
