The Balfour aralia also known by its scientific name Polyscias balfouriana is an elegantly arching tropical houseplant adored for its deep green frond-like leaves and sculptural woody stems. With proper care, the Balfour aralia makes a graceful statement in any indoor space. However, providing just the right amount of light is key to keeping your Balfour aralia healthy and looking its best. In this article, we’ll explore the unique lighting needs of the Balfour aralia and how to optimize conditions for vigorous growth.
An Overview of the Balfour Aralia
Native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, the Balfour aralia is accustomed to warm, bright, humid conditions As a tropical plant, it thrives in dappled sunlight filtered through tree canopies When grown as a houseplant, the Balfour aralia can reach heights of 3-6 feet. Its leaves emerge with a reddish tinge before maturing to a dark green. The Balfour aralia is easy to identify by its divided palmate leaves with 5-7 pointed leaflets emerging from a central point like fingers from a hand.
Light Requirements of the Balfour Aralia
The Balfour aralia flourishes when given bright, indirect light. Although it can tolerate low light conditions, growth will be slowed and foliage can become sparse. Insufficient light leads to weak, leggy growth as the plant overreaches for sunlight. On the flip side, direct hot sunlight will scorch the Balfour aralia’s leaves.
Ideally, the Balfour aralia should receive 6-8 hours per day of bright, filtered sunlight. An east or west-facing window is perfect for providing the right balance of light intensity and duration. South-facing windows can work if sunlight is diffused with sheer curtains. If natural light is limited, supplement with grow lights to prevent decline.
Signs of Insufficient Light
Watch for these clues that indicate your Balfour aralia needs more sunlight:
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Slowed growth
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Sparse, thin foliage
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Pale green or yellowing leaves
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Leaves drooping or wilting
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Long, weak stems that cannot support themselves
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Leaf loss from lower branches
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Failure to bloom (in mature plants)
Providing Optimal Lighting Conditions
Follow these tips to give your Balfour aralia the illumination it craves:
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Place near an east or west window for dappled morning or afternoon sun.
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Filter intense southern exposure with sheer curtains.
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Rotate the plant periodically for even lighting on all sides.
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Supplement with LED grow lights if natural light is inadequate.
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Dust foliage regularly to maximize light absorption.
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Move outdoor in summer to a shaded location.
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Avoid direct sun which can burn leaves.
Signs of Excessive Light
Too much direct sun can also damage the Balfour aralia. Watch for these signs of light stress:
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Leaves yellowing or browning at edges or tips
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White or tan scorched spots on leaves
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Leaf margins drying or crisping
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Foliage wilting, curling or cupping inward
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Sudden leaf drop
Adjusting Light Levels
If your Balfour aralia shows signs of insufficient light, take these corrective actions:
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Move the plant closer to a window or light source.
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Add sheer curtains to soften intense southern sun.
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Install grow lights 12-18 inches above the plant.
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Rotate the plant for multi-directional light exposure.
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Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushiness.
If excessive light is harming your plant, make these adjustments:
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Place in bright indirect light, out of direct sun.
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Add a shade cloth or sheer curtain to diffuse intense light.
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Move a few feet back from a southern window.
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Provide afternoon shade outdoors in summer.
Getting the lighting right is crucial for the Balfour aralia to display its full tropical splendor. Pay close attention to your plant’s growth habits and make adjustments as needed until you find the sweet spot. With a bright filtered light source and attentive care, your Balfour aralia will reward you with verdant, graceful growth.
Common Questions About Balfour Aralia Light Needs
How many hours of light does a Balfour aralia need per day?
The Balfour aralia thrives with 6-8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. More than this can cause leaf burn.
Can a Balfour aralia survive in low light?
It can tolerate low light but will grow slowly and become leggy. Insufficient light will weaken the plant over time.
Should I give my Balfour aralia direct sun outdoors?
Avoid direct sun which can damage leaves. Provide afternoon shade or bright indirect light outdoors.
What direction window is best for a Balfour aralia?
East or west-facing windows offer an ideal balance of morning/afternoon sun for the Balfour aralia.
How close should grow lights be positioned to a Balfour aralia?
LED grow lights should be 12-18 inches above the plant. Adjust height as needed to avoid leaf burn.
How often should I rotate my Balfour aralia?
Rotate the plant 1⁄4 turn each week to ensure all sides receive equal light exposure for balanced growth.
Can I grow a Balfour aralia outside year-round?
No, the Balfour aralia is not cold hardy. Move it outdoors in summer but bring it back indoors before temperatures drop below 60°F.
With a basic understanding of the Balfour aralia’s specific lighting needs, you can provide optimal conditions for vigorous, healthy growth. Monitor your plant closely and make adjustments as needed until you find the perfect spot where your Balfour aralia will shine.
How to fertilize Fabian Aralia
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Fabian Aralia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Fabian Aralia is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Fabian Aralia prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Fabian Aralia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Fabian Aralia doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Fabian Aralia does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fabian Aralia should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Fabian Aralia is native to Pacific Islands.
Fabian Aralia grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
USDA Hardiness Zone Fabian Aralia can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Fabian Aralia can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Taxonomy Scientific name
Dinner Plate Aralia, Fabian Aralia and Polyscias scutellaria.