The complete False Aralia plant care guide

Want to add a False Aralia to your houseplant collection? They are beautiful and easy to care for! Here’s my complete false aralia care guide!

I love checking out new houseplants. One of my favorite ways to do that is with Lowe’s Garden Center sale rack plants. Anything that is damaged or looking sad, they mark down 50% off!

Last summer I was able to grab a False Aralia under ten bucks. The top had snapped off, but it still was at least a foot tall.

I was immediately drawn to this plant because of it’s very dark green leaves – it almost looks black.

It is a unique looking plant and I’ve been pleased with how easy it is to care for, so I wanted to hop in and chat about it today!

What is false aralia?

This plant has long, thin leaves with a jagged sawtooth edge. The leaves come in bright green but turn a dark green, almost black, with age.

Other names for false aralia include:

• Dizygotheca elegantissima
• Plerandra elegantissima
• Schefflera elegantissima
• spider aralia
• threadleaf aralia
• finger aralia plant

Types of False Aralia

• Galaxy: Dark green leaves with smoother (less toothy) edges
• Gold Crest: Green leaves with gold edges
• Olympia: Red and purple tinted leaves

False Aralia origins

False Aralia is native to New Caledonia. This is an island in the South Pacific, near Australia.

Is False Aralia rare?

This plant is not rare, but it’s not something that is always in stock at plant stores. If you want one and see one, snatch it up!

Is false aralia toxic?

These plants are toxic if eaten. Keep them away from pets and children!

Does False Aralia bloom?

It is very rare for these plants to bloom as indoor houseplants.

How big will false aralia get?

With the right care, your false aralia can grow to be 5 to 6 feet tall! It will take a while, because these plants are pretty slow growing!

False Aralia care guide

Here’s what you need to know about keeping your False Aralia plant happy and thriving.

False Aralia watering

Feel the soil of your plant. When the top inch of the soil feels dry, it’s time to water it! Water this plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes.

Read my guide on drilling drainage holes in pots!

How often should I water my false aralia?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry – usually about once a week. Adjust your watering depending on how hot, sunny, and dry the weather or room is.

Should I mist my false aralia plant?

Aralia plants do like humidity, so they will enjoy being misted. Keeping them humid can also help to keep certain pests away!

False Aralia lighting needs

This plant likes moderate to bright indirect light. The more light it gets, the faster it will grow.

Can False Aralia take full sun?

This plant loves bright light, but can get sunburned if left out in the direct sun. If your plant is getting brown dry crispy spots, it might be getting too much sun! Move the plant out of direct sun to correct.

Can I keep false aralia outdoors?

These plants love being outdoors! I keep mine on my covered porch. Just plan to bring it indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees!

False Aralia soil + potting

These plants are fine with general all purpose potting soil. Just be sure that your pot has good drainage to avoid pooling water and root rot!

Does false aralia like to be root bound?

These plants are actually fine being a bit root bound. There’s no need to rush with repotting them each year!

Since these plants can get tall but like a smaller pot, you’ll want a heavier stone type pot or to add pebbles to a plastic pot to keep it from toppling over.

False Aralia fertilization

You can fertilize these plants monthly with a general houseplant fertilizer, if desired.

How to propagate false aralia

It is extremely easy to propagate false aralia in soil.

1. Identify a healthy branch, preferably with new growth
2. Snip the branch with sharp scissors
3. Remove any lower leaves
4. Dip in rooting hormone
5. Place in moist soil
6. Water once a week and top off as necessary
7. See roots form in 2-4 weeks
8. You can leave in this soil or move to a larger pot once the roots are 2-4 inches long

Troubleshooting False Aralia

Here are some common False Aralia problems.

Why is my False Aralia dropping leaves?

A common cause of leaf drop in False Aralia is moving the plant. They like to stay in one spot! If you need to move them, just be prepared for a little leaf drop!

Big swings in temperatures can also cause leaf drop. Be sure the plant is not near a vent or drafty window.

Why is my False Aralia turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves almost always indicate overwatering. Let the plant dry out before you water it again!

Why are my False Aralia leaves green and not black?

This is normal for new growth to come in a brighter green. It will naturally darken as it ages! Once the leaves grow, the more light it gets, the darker the leaves will get!

Are false aralia plants poisonous to cats?

Yes, the false aralia plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if eaten. Keep them out of reach!

Thanks for reading!

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