Schefflera elegantissima is a species of flowering plant native to New Caledonia. Growing to 8–15m (26–49 feet) tall by 2m (7 feet) broad, it is an evergreen shrub or tree. Its leaves are thin, coppery red to dark green with toothed edges.
False aralia Care
Schefflera elegantissima
Other names: Spider Aralia, Threadleaf Aralia, Plerandra Elegantissima
What is the plant
The false aralia was recently reclassified from the Dizygotheca genus and renamed Schefflera elegantissima, making it a relative of the popular Schefflera plants. Whatever their name, they have earned their position as a popular houseplant. Schefflera elegantissima have beautifully textured foliage, with deeply serrated leaflets and dimpled petioles and stems. The juvenile plants tend to have more textured foliage, while the adult leaves are more deeply lobed. As far as their performance goes, they are tolerably easy to grow. They need at least moderate humidity to do their best and prefer a narrow range of moisture. Plants that are too dry tend to drop leaves.
humidity
High
lighting
Part sun and part shade
temperature
18°C - 25°C
hardiness zone
10a - 12b
difficulty
Medium
hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
False aralia needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Pruning
Any dying or yellowing leaves can be removed for aesthetic reasons, while any small leaves that grow off the main trunk, often called suckers, should be removed.
Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizers, you want to avoid over-fertilizing (just like an overdose of vitamins isn't great for us, either). Less is more, so it’s important to follow what the package says for application amounts.
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Sunlight
Grows it's best and fastest with full sun exposure, but it can do well in partial shade.
Soil
Loamy soil is ideal for most garden plants because it holds plenty of moisture but also drains well so that sufficient air can reach the roots. Many gardeners complain of their garden soil being compacted and/or poorly drained.
Temperature
These plants like plenty of air movement and can handle temperatures down to about 45°F.
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Container
Container should provide ample drainage and room for growth.
Popularity
1,443 people already have this plant 222 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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