Ming aralia

For proper maintenance, Ming aralia should be watered liberally when the soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this plant prefers to be watered on a weekly basis, although it may require more or less depending on the time of year and the average temperature of the environment. In summer, the soil should be checked more often to ensure it's adequately moist, while in winter, when the plant moves into a semi-dormant state, reduce watering to about once a month when the soil dries completely. To water, thoroughly moisten the soil until water begins to drip out of the bottom of the pot, and then empty any excess water from the saucer.

Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) needs medium to bright indirect sunlight for 5 to 6 hours of sunlight everyday. The best time for sunlight is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, which is usually the middle of the day - around noon. The plant has some tolerance for lower levels of light, so it can tolerate early morning, late afternoon and some partial shade. However, too little light can lead to slower growth and reduce the foliage of the plant.

Ming aralia should be pruned back annually in the late winter or early spring, before it starts actively growing again. Pruning should be done by removing all long shoots and any dead or damaged growth. Cut the tips of the upright stems by about 1-third their length, and also remove any suckers which may be present. Dense and symmetric foliage can be maintained by frequently pinching the new shoots to promote bushiness.