Schefflera elegantissima
pl-RAN-druh el-ee-gan-TISS-ee-muh
Common Names: False Aralia, Thread-leaf Aralia, Finger Aralia
Family: Araliaceae
Origin: New Caledonia
Growth: Upwards, branching
Light: Bright, indirect
Foot Candles: 175 - 225
Water: Keep evenly moist
Humidity: 60% - 90%
Temperature: 20°C - 25°C
Soil: Well draining potting mix
Container: Self-watering planter, living wall
Nutrients: Not required
Propagation: Seed or cuttings
Interiorscape Use: Living walls, employee personal plant
Common Pests: Mealybugs, Aphids, Spider Mites, Scale, Thrips.
Common Issues: Root rot when sitting in water.
Comments: This plant is also botanically known as Plerandra elegantissima, Dizygotheca elegantissima, or Aralia elegantissima. It is a rare occurrence in horticulture that a plant is quicker to identify with its common name before the botanical, but because False Aralia has changed genus four times over recent years, it has become an exception. To further complicate the matter, False Aralia is indeed in the Araliaceae family, leading many to ponder where the ‘False’ wording even came from.
Toxicity: Safe.