The Five-Fingered Aralia, with its distinctive, deeply lobed leaves radiating from a central point, offers an appealing addition to indoor plant collections. This elegant, hand-like appearance gives the plant its common name. This guide provides information for cultivating a thriving Five-Fingered Aralia, ensuring a healthy and vibrant plant.
Understanding Five-Fingered Aralia
The common name Five-Fingered Aralia can cause confusion, as various species share similar descriptive names. While some sources use it for Eleutherococcus sieboldianus, a deciduous shrub from China and Japan, in houseplants it often refers to Plerandra elegantissima. This popular evergreen, also known as False Aralia, has finely divided, dark green leaves with serrated edges. Native to New Caledonia, it grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching 8 to 15 meters in its natural habitat.
Another plant sometimes called “five-fingered” is Schefflera digitata, or Patē, from New Zealand. This small tree has soft, palmate leaves, usually with three to nine leaflets. As a houseplant, Plerandra elegantissima remains relatively compact, typically growing to 2-3 meters indoors. Its unique foliage makes it a popular ornamental choice for adding texture to interior designs.
Caring for Your Five-Fingered Aralia
Light Requirements
Providing appropriate light is important for your Five-Fingered Aralia’s health. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing window is suitable, offering ample brightness without harsh, direct sunlight that can scorch its delicate leaves. While it tolerates some shade, insufficient light may result in elongated, weaker stems, sparse foliage, and pale leaves. If natural light is limited, especially in winter, supplementing with LED grow lights can help maintain vibrancy and support growth.
Watering Practices
Key to preventing root rot, allow the topsoil to dry slightly between waterings. For Plerandra elegantissima, watering every one to two weeks is a guideline, varying with temperature and humidity. Overwatering leads to yellowing leaves and wilting stems, as waterlogged soil deprives roots of oxygen. Conversely, underwatering causes dehydration, curling leaves, and dry soil. Feel the soil moisture to determine when to water; if dry, water, but if soggy, hold back to prevent root damage.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining soil mix is essential for the Five-Fingered Aralia. A suitable substrate for Plerandra elegantissima is a loamy mix that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. Blends containing peat, perlite, and coarse sand, along with general potting soil, provide necessary drainage and aeration. Organic matter supports the plant’s nutrient needs. Repot when roots emerge from drainage holes or growth stunts, indicating the plant has outgrown its container.
Temperature and Humidity
Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels mimics the plant’s native tropical environment. Plerandra elegantissima prefers high humidity and thrives in temperatures from 20 to 38 degrees Celsius (68 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Avoid temperatures below 13-15 degrees Celsius (55-59 degrees Fahrenheit), as this plant is sensitive to cold. To increase humidity, regular misting helps. Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water, creates a more humid microclimate.
Fertilizing
Regular feeding supports growth during the plant’s active growing season. For Plerandra elegantissima, applying a balanced, high-nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer is recommended. During cooler winter months, reduce frequency to monthly applications, using the fertilizer at a quarter strength. Always water the plant before applying fertilizer to prevent root burn. This consistent feeding schedule helps prevent nutrient deficiencies, which appear as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning maintains the Five-Fingered Aralia’s shape and size, while encouraging new growth. The best time to prune is early spring or late winter, before vigorous growth. Remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves and branches for plant health. Thinning crowded interior branches improves air circulation and light penetration, reducing disease risk. When shortening branches, make clean cuts just above an outward-facing leaf node to direct new growth away from the plant’s center.
Propagating Five-Fingered Aralia
Propagating the Five-Fingered Aralia, or Plerandra elegantissima, is done through stem cuttings. Select healthy, non-flowering semi-hardwood stems 4 to 6 inches long. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node, as this area contains cells that promote root development.
After taking cuttings, remove lower leaves to expose at least two nodes, leaving two or three leaves at the top. While optional, dipping the cut end into a rooting hormone can enhance root formation. Prepare a well-draining potting mix, such as peat, perlite, and coarse sand, and insert the cutting about 2 inches deep, ensuring at least one node is buried. Water lightly, then create a humid environment by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag or placing it in a mini-greenhouse, ensuring the plastic does not touch the leaves. Place the pot in indirect sunlight and maintain consistent moisture; roots develop within four to six weeks.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite consistent care, Five-Fingered Aralia plants may show signs of distress. Yellowing leaves are a common symptom of several problems. Overwatering causes leaves to turn bright yellow, sometimes with mushy stems, due to lack of oxygen. Conversely, underwatering also causes yellowing, often with curling leaves or dry soil pulling from the pot’s edges. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly lack of nitrogen or iron, also cause general yellowing. Adjusting watering practices, ensuring proper drainage, or applying a balanced fertilizer resolve these issues.
Leaf drop is also linked to water imbalances, low humidity, or sudden temperature fluctuations. Stunted growth signals insufficient light or nutrient deficiencies, requiring optimized light or fertilization. Pest infestations, such as spider mites or mealybugs, affect plant health, leading to discoloration or wilting. Regularly inspecting the plant and gently washing leaves with a damp cloth deters pests. For persistent infestations, an appropriate insecticidal soap application may be needed.
Safety Considerations
Be aware of potential plant toxicity in your home. While specific toxicity for Plerandra elegantissima (False Aralia) to humans or pets is not consistently detailed, other plants in the Araliaceae family, like Schefflera digitata (Patē), are mildly toxic to pets. Toxicity is due to calcium oxalate crystals, which cause irritation if ingested.
Symptoms in pets may include oral irritation, burning, swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. For the safety of children and pets, place Five-Fingered Aralia plants where they cannot be easily accessed. Keeping plants out of reach helps prevent accidental ingestion and discomfort.