Look what I found at my fave nursery on my travels! I hadn't seen this type before- is this more or less common than the Ming with the feathered leaves? Just curious. I saw Will's post about the watering of Ming, but I'm wondering if I should do a repot?

I know not to disturb the roots- but this is really tippy in this pot. I could set this pot in a clay pot for support if that's better. Love new plants!!!!

I've read that they like it tight and are fussy about being repotted. But, I know Will will ( ) have better advice.

Alyssa, what a nice find! That healthy Balfour Aralia (Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian') has a really nice looking trunk!

Repotting can sometimes cause stress and this time of year might not be the best time to make any changes. The adjustment of going from a nursery situation to a home with even slightly different lighting, humidity, etc. may be be a cause of stress. I'd leave it as is and just place it into a heavier, more decorative container ... maybe consider potting up one size next spring when the weather warms.

I had one with the solid green leaves years ago but now only grow the one with white leaf margins. Balfour Aralia (Polyscias scutellaria)

Alyssa - NIce plant! Great acquisition! There are many different species in the Polyscias genus. The Polyscias fruiticosa is the most commonly available on and is commonly called Ming Aralia. The other varieties are often knick named after the shape of their leaves. For example, there is Fern leafed Aralia, a lace-leafed Aralia, a celery leafed Aralia, a dinner plate Aralia, and even a chicken gizzard Aralia. Someone seems obsessed with food!) Yours is a Polyscias balfouriana.

All of the various Polyscias species have pretty much the same care, although the Balfour can manage a bit lower light than the others. Yours is tightly potted and that is a good thing. It could be repotted, but I don't recommend it for another 6 months at least so that it has a chance to adapt to your environment. Definitely set the nursery pot into a larger, heavier decorative planter of your choice so that it doesn't tip over.

It should be located right in front of a north or east window or back a few feet from a south or west window. No more than a few hours of direct sun falling on the leaves each day. Water it thoroughly as soon as the top surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Because it is tightly potted, the risk of overwatering is minimal. It does not need misting, but fertilizer applied at half strength once per month would be good.

Yours was grown from a Balfour stump to give it a somewhat bonsai look. That means it is intended to be kept relatively short and compact. It will not produce new growth from the base. If you just let it grow, it will become very tall and spindly without adding much to its width. There is nothing wrong with that, but aesthetically I think it will look better if it is pruned regularly to keep it more or less at its existing size and shape. Any stem can be cut back to any length without affecting the health of the plant.

Let me know if you have further questions. I love Polyscias!

Oh, thank you so much for the information! I will keep it trimmed and won't do a repot. I did choose this plant because of how the trunk was shaped because of the bonsai type appearance; so Will, I'm glad you confirmed that's the best way to keep it. But it does seem like whoever named those aralia were food obsessed, haha!

I can't wait to drive home and set it up inside a nice pretty pot. Space is limited in the brightest spots so it's a good thing this one doesn't need the SW corner window. If it did, the hoyas and cactuses would form a protest.....

I'm glad to learn you are willing to keep it pruned. So often folks feel like bigger is always better. My feeling is that when you get a plant that is looking really good, keep it that way by prning and pinching.

BTW, yours is sometimes called "dinner plate" Aralia, so enjoy it!