The aralia is one of the most popular green plants in German living rooms. The plants catch the eye with their distinctive leathery leaves. Indoor aralia comes from Asia and prove to be fast-growing and uncomplicated houseplants.
Indoor aralia are popular beginner plants. If all the care and cultivation instructions are followed, the plant will surprise you with umbel flowers and dark stone fruits in autumn.
Room Aralia - Origin
Aralia are counted among the Araliaceae. The home of the plants are the tropical forests of Asia. Indoor aralia are increasingly growing in Japan and South Korea. Indoor aralia form a single species. Several cultivars are in circulation.
Room aralie - the best location
A partially shaded location should be found for the indoor aria. The plants like a bright spot, but do not want full sun. In summer, a stand on the balcony or terrace is welcome.
The midday sun should be avoided. In general, the house aralia is sensitive to sunlight and the lobed leaves are easily sunburned. The optimal ambient temperatures are around 18 degrees. Room aralia also thrive very well in hallways or stairwells. In a warm location, a correspondingly high level of humidity should be ensured.
» Note: Plants wither quickly in too dark a location.
The right substrate for the aralia
The aralia can be planted in normal potting soil. Hydroponic cultivation is also possible. If potting soil is mixed with compost, this stimulates the growth of the plant.
The substrate should have the following properties:
- loose
- permeable
- nutrient rich
- sour to calcareous
If the substrate is too sandy, it can be improved by adding peat or clay. The indoor aralia is not suitable for outdoor cultivation in our climatic conditions.
Planting and repotting aralia
Indoor aralia are sold in relatively small planters. Since the plants very quicklygrow and the roots in the planter want to spread accordingly, it is advisable to place the aralia in a larger planter after purchase.
Proceed as follows when repotting:
- Provide a larger planter
- Prepare substrate
- Pot plant
- Remove the soil from the root ball
- Control Roots
- Remove diseased or dried out root sections
- detect possible pest infestation
- providing a drainage for the new planter
- fill a few centimeters of soil in the planter
- Insert plant in the middle
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth lightly
- Water the plant
Room aralie with top ratings on Amazon
The indoor aralia should be transplanted every two to three years. If it can be seen that the root system has already taken complete possession of the plant pot, the time for transplanting has definitely come.
» Tip: The best time for transplanting the aralia is early spring.
Room Aralia Care
Water the room aria correctly
The room aria should only be kept moderately moist. In a warm location, the plant should be sprayed more frequently. Room aralia are very sensitive to waterlogging. It is therefore always important to ensure that no water collects in the planter or saucer.
The top layer of substrate should dry before watering again. Drainage in the bottom of the pot prevents the irrigation water from accumulating in the ground and attacking the roots of the aria.
During the winter months there is less watering. Setting up bowls or vases filled with water helps against dry heating air.
Fertilize room aralie correctly
During the growth period, the indoor aralia is supplied with green plant fertilizer weekly. Between March and September is the main growing season for the indoor aralia. Liquid fertilizer is well suited. This is administered with the irrigation water and is immediately available to the plants.
Our recommendation:
» Note: In winter, the aralia takes a vegetation break and therefore does not need any fertilizer. An excess of nutrients wouldcause root damage during dormancy.
Cut room aralie
Pruning measures are not absolutely necessary with the room aralie. Young plants tolerate pruning quite well. It is better not to cut back older aralia plants.
The best time to cut back is at the beginning or end of the growing season. If the plant is to grow bushy again, the shoot is shortened immediately above one eye. Withered and diseased parts of the plant should be removed at any time, including older plants.
Propagating Room Aralia
The propagation of the aralia is possible by the following methods:
- Cuttings
- Seeds
Propagating room aralia by cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is the most reliable method. Shoots that have fallen out when the plant is pruned can be used. The cutting should be about 15 centimeters long. The lower pairs of leaves are removed to prevent rotting from developing underground.
The cuttings are pressed into the substrate. About a third of the shoot should still be visible. A bright and warm location is crucial for root formation. Keep the planter evenly moist but not too wet.
If new leaves and shoots form after a few days, the propagation is successful.
Propagating room aralie by seeds
The ripe seeds should be sown as soon as possible. The seeds of the room aralie only germinate very poorly after long periods of storage. Seeds are best grown in a mixture of sand and soil.
The planter is set up bright and at room temperature. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. The germination process will take some time. Covering the planter with glass or foil can speed up germination.
» Tip: The cover must be aired daily, otherwise mold can quickly form underneath.
When the seedlings are about five centimeters tall, they are placed in individual planters and continue to be cultivated in a warm and bright location.
Recognize diseases and pests on the indoor aralie
In most cases, the wrong choice of location is responsible for the occurrence of pests on the aralia. If the plants stand above the warm heating in the winter months, leaves can fall. This also indicates whether the level is too dry or too wet. If the stand is too dry in winter, there is a high risk of spider mites.
Leave spider mitesrecognize themselves by the following signs:
- Web on the leaves and in the leaf axes
- Discolouration on the leaves
- curled leaf tips on new shoots
High humidity kills the pests. The best way to do this is to cover the plant with foil so that a microclimate develops. A stand directly above the heating is unfavorable for room arias.
Aphids only stop at a few indoor plants. The pests can often be recognized by a sticky film on the leaves. This is caused by the excretions of the pests called honeydew. Showering the plants helps against aphids. Honeydew can be removed with water to which a little dish soap has been added.
Room Aralia in Winter
In winter the plants should be light and dry. Since these are evergreen plants, dark winter quarters are unsuitable. The optimal ambient temperatures are around twelve degrees. Casting is shut down. The plant does not require any further care during the rest period.