Troubleshooting
False Aralia problems — and how to fix them
False Aralia (Plerandra elegantissima) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Sudden leaf drop
The single most common complaint. A change of location, a cold draught, dry air or letting the rootball dry out all trigger shedding of the fine leaflets. Settle it in one stable spot with steady warmth, light and watering and avoid moving it.
Browning leaf tips and edges
A classic sign of low humidity, dry heating air or inconsistent watering. Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier, keep it away from radiators, and keep the compost evenly moist rather than swinging wet-to-bone-dry.
Spider mites
The dry indoor air this plant dislikes also favours spider mites, which speckle and bronze the foliage; a heavy infestation can kill the plant. Inspect leaf undersides regularly, rinse the foliage, and treat early with insecticidal soap and higher humidity.
Mealybugs
White, cottony clusters appear in leaf axils and along stems, sucking sap and excreting sticky honeydew. Dab them off with a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit and follow up with insecticidal soap, repeating until clear.
Prevent false aralia problems before they start
Most false aralia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
False Aralia problems — FAQ
Why is my false aralia sudden leaf drop?
The single most common complaint. A change of location, a cold draught, dry air or letting the rootball dry out all trigger shedding of the fine leaflets. Settle it in one stable spot with steady warmth, light and watering and avoid moving it.
Why is my false aralia browning leaf tips and edges?
A classic sign of low humidity, dry heating air or inconsistent watering. Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier, keep it away from radiators, and keep the compost evenly moist rather than swinging wet-to-bone-dry.
Why is my false aralia spider mites?
The dry indoor air this plant dislikes also favours spider mites, which speckle and bronze the foliage; a heavy infestation can kill the plant. Inspect leaf undersides regularly, rinse the foliage, and treat early with insecticidal soap and higher humidity.
Why is my false aralia mealybugs?
White, cottony clusters appear in leaf axils and along stems, sucking sap and excreting sticky honeydew. Dab them off with a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit and follow up with insecticidal soap, repeating until clear.