General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 6-18 feet
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Evergreen
Other: solid green or variegated with white, cream, or yellow
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Flower Color: Green
Other: Pale green
Underground structures: Taproot
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Balfour Aralia
  • Shield Aralia
  • Dinner Plate Aralia
  • Plum Aralia
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Polyscias scutellaria
  • Synonym: Polyscias tricochleata

Photo Gallery

Date: 2007-08-29
Location: Port Orange, Florida
Date: 2018-09-08
Location: Port Orange, Florida
Date: 2018-06-19
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2021-02-20
Location: Sebastian, Florida
Date: 2017-01-30
Location: Mt. Arenal Lava Fields (and surrounding jungle + trails), Costa Rica | Old Photo
Date: 2022-12-18
Location: At home - Central Valley area, CA
Date: 2012-04-11
Polyscias scuttelaria indoors
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-02-23
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-02-23
Location: At home - Central Valley area, CA
Date: 2012-04-11
A clump of new leaves growing - Polyscias scuttelaria
Photo by Paul2032
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2017-12-02

Date: 2011-10-05

Date: 2011-10-05
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-02-23
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-09-07 
Newer, green stems/bark
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-09-07 
Older stem
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-09-07
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2017-12-01
Location: Sumatera Indonesia
Date: 2017-11-12
leaves used as vegetable, sliced thinly and added to curry
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Oregon9 on Jul 28, 2020 11:34 AM concerning plant:
    I have a Balfour Aralia that needs repotting. What soil can I buy that is best for this plant, or do I need to mix the contents to make the soil that is best for this plant ?
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Sep 7, 2012 2:15 PM concerning plant:
    I find this an easy care plant and it's one of my favorite houseplants because of the pretty, variegated foliage. It grows like gangbusters during the summer when kept in very bright light but no direct sun. It can be trimmed back to keep a more compact shape. For me, this plant does best if kept on the dry side. I water so that the potting medium is slightly moist and then let it dry almost completely before watering again. As with all of my indoor plants, I empty all excess water out of the bottom tray so as not to cause root rot. Most of my plants stay outside on the deck almost year round but this one seems to prefer being indoors in the air conditioning.

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