False Aralia: How to Grow Care Guide-Schefflera elegantissima

Hi Judy,
Can you help me identify this plant? I got it at a local Home Depot, but it doesn’t say the type of plant it is. Thank you.

Hi Michlai,

It looks like a false aralia (Schefflera elegantissima). Over the years plant experts have given this plant several different names, among them are: spider aralia and thread leaf aralia. It even has another scientific name: Dizygotheca elegantissima.

Here are some care tips

Light: Medium to bright indirect light, no direct sun

Water: Too much water, resulting in root rot, is the main reason aralia plants die. Allow the top several inches of soil  to dry out before watering. In a small pot like yours, the soil will dry out fairly quickly. However, as the plant grows, and you move it to a larger container, it will take longer to dry out. Always test the soil before watering.

Fertilizer: Feed only when the plant is actively growing and always dilute the plant food to 1/2 the recommended strength. Feed every other month in the fall and winter when your aralia is actively growing and monthly in the spring and summer.  with a plant food high in nitrogen diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.

Temperature: Aralia plants prefer temperatures between 60°-85° F (15.6°-29.4°C).

This is what is will look like as a full grown plant.