Ming aralia Polyscias fruticosa
Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Araliaceae family, native to Unknown in the wild; probably from New Guinea or the western Pacific, cultivated across tropical Asia. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Ming aralia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ming aralia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 261–417 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves (raw with fish salads in Vietnam and Indonesia) |
| Native to | Unknown in the wild; probably from New Guinea or the western Pacific, cultivated across tropical Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Ming aralia toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, roots
Contains saponins: vomiting and drooling if pets chew it; sap can irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ming aralia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Ming aralia
- How far apart should I plant Ming aralia?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Ming aralia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ming aralia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ming aralia?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Ming aralia flower?
- About 261–417 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Ming aralia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains saponins: vomiting and drooling if pets chew it; sap can irritate skin.
- What grows well with Ming aralia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ming aralia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Upright, lacy-leaved shrub with twisting stems: a hedge and pot plant in tropical Asia and a popular house plant elsewhere. Vietnamese gardeners shape it like bonsai.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Mountain cabbage tree Cussonia paniculata
- Korean ginseng Panax ginseng
- Fatsia (Japanese aralia, yatsude) Fatsia japonica
- Rice-paper plant (tsūdatsu) Tetrapanax papyrifer
- Dwarf umbrella tree (schefflera) Heptapleurum arboricola
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron