Geranium Aralia is a tropical shrub native to Southeast Asia and is commonly used as a houseplant. They are slow-growing and tolerate pruning to keep the size where you want it. Without pruning, they will reach 6-8 feet tall. If the temperature drops below 50 F they will lose their leaves. The showy leaves are often variegated with white or yellow margins or they can be all green. They rarely flower as a houseplant. Grow in moist well-drained loamy acidic potting soil and place in bright indirect lighting. They can tolerate the morning sun. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings, then water deeply and thoroughly. The plant can be used as a bonsai specimen. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur from overwatering. More information on Polyscias .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Compound leaf with 7-9 leaflets. Green to variegated with white or yellow margins.
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Rarely blooms as a houseplant
Stem detail
Stems can become woody with age
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
East Malesia to Southwest Pacific
Distribution
Bahamas, China, Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, and Wake Island
Play value
Wind Break
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Patio
Design feature
Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#problem for cats #houseplant #problem for dogs #slow growing #evergreen #problem for horses #tropical feel #container plant #variegated
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Propagation
Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems
Poison symptoms
If ingested, mouth irritation, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal issues. Skin irritation with contact. In dogs and cats, anorexia and depression can also occur.