If you’re looking for a statement plant that brings a touch of the tropics indoors, the balfour aralia is a perfect choice. Known for its elegant, glossy foliage, the balfour aralia – elegant indoor foliage plant is surprisingly adaptable and can thrive for years with the right care.
Its scientific name is Polyscias scutellaria ‘Balfourii’, but you’ll usually see it called Balfour Aralia or Dinner Plate Aralia. The leaves are its main attraction—they are large, rounded, and a beautiful deep green, often with a subtle white or cream edge. It grows in a upright, somewhat open habit, making it a fantastic floor plant for a bright corner.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your plant healthy and looking its best.
Balfour Aralia – Elegant Indoor Foliage Plant
This section covers the core identity of the plant. Understanding where it comes from helps us replicate its preferred conditions in our homes.
Native to the warm, humid regions of the South Pacific, the Balfour Aralia is a tropical shrub. In its natural habitat, it enjoys dappled sunlight under the canopy of taller trees. This tells us it prefers bright, indirect light rather than harsh, direct sun.
It’s a relatively slow grower indoors, which is actually a benefit for an indoor plant. You won’t be constantly repotting it. Over many years, a happy Balfour Aralia can reach over 6 feet tall indoors, creating a truly impressive presence.
Why Choose a Balfour Aralia for Your Home?
There are many reasons this plant has become a favorite among indoor gardeners.
- Architectural Beauty: Its form and large, plate-like leaves add structure and a modern, clean look to any room.
- Air-Purifying Qualities: Like many foliage plants, it helps filter common household toxins from the air, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
- Moderate Maintenance: It isn’t the most difficult plant, nor is it the easiest. It’s a great “next step” plant for someone who has mastered pothos and snake plants.
- Long-Lived: With proper care, it can be a part of your home for decades, becoming a true living heirloom.
Finding the Perfect Spot: Light Requirements
Light is the most critical factor for a healthy Balfour Aralia. Get this right, and you’ve won half the battle.
Ideal Light: Bright, indirect light is perfect. Think of a spot near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. The leaves should cast a soft, fuzzy shadow.
Signs of Too Much Light: If the leaves start to look faded, yellowish, or develop crispy brown patches, it’s likely getting too much direct sun. The intense light can scald those beautiful leaves.
Signs of Too Little Light: Growth will become very slow, almost stopping. The plant may start to look leggy, with longer spaces between leaves. The new leaves might be smaller and the vibrant green color can fade.
Remember to rotate your plant a quarter turn every time you water it. This ensures all sides get even light and the plant grows symmetrically, not leaning toward the window.
What About Artificial Light?
If you don’t have a bright enough room, don’t worry. Balfour Aralia can do very well under full-spectrum grow lights. Place the light about 12-18 inches above the plant and keep it on for 12-14 hours a day to mimic natural daylight cycles.
Watering Your Balfour Aralia Correctly
Watering is where most people run into trouble. This plant dislikes both extremes: soggy soil and bone-dry conditions.
The Golden Rule: Water thoroughly, then allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. Stick your finger into the soil—it’s the best tool you have.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to watering:
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- If the top 1-2 inches feel dry, take your plant to the sink.
- Water slowly and evenly over the soil surface until water flows freely out the drainage holes in the pot.
- Let the pot drain completely in the sink for 10-15 minutes. Never let the plant sit in a saucer of standing water.
- Return the plant to its decorative spot.
Seasonal Adjustments: In spring and summer during active growth, you may need to water once a week. In fall and winter, when growth slows, it might only need water every 2-3 weeks. Always check the soil first.
Troubleshooting Watering Problems
- Yellowing, Dropping Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering. Check for soggy soil and ensure your pot has drainage holes.
- Brown, Crispy Leaf Edges: Can be a sign of underwatering, but also low humidity. Check the soil before assuming.
- Wilting: Can happen from both over and underwatering. Again, the soil check is key.
Creating a Humid Environment
As a tropical plant, the Balfour Aralia appreciates higher humidity than what’s found in most homes, especially in winter when heating systems dry the air.
You don’t need to create a rainforest, but a little extra humidity goes a long way.
- Pebble Tray: The simplest method. Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water. Place your pot on top (ensuring the pot base is not sitting in the water). As the water evaporates, it increases humidity around the plant.
- Grouping Plants: Cluster your humidity-loving plants together. They create a beneficial microclimate through collective transpiration.
- Humidifier: The most effective solution, especially for a collection of plants or in very dry climates.
- Misting: A light misting can help, but its effects are very temporary. It’s a good supplemental step but not a primary solution.
Soil and Fertilizer: The Foundation of Health
Your plant needs the right foundation and nutrients to support its growth.
Soil Mix: Use a well-draining, peat-based potting mix. A good quality all-purpose indoor plant mix is fine, but you can improve it by adding some perlite or orchid bark to increase drainage and aeration. This prevents the roots from staying too wet.
Fertilizing Schedule: Feed your plant during its active growing season (spring and summer).
- Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula).
- Dilute it to half the strength recommended on the bottle.
- Apply this diluted fertilizer once a month when you water.
- Stop fertilizing completely in fall and winter. The plant is resting and won’t use the nutrients, which can lead to harmful salt buildup in the soil.
Repotting and Pruning
You won’t need to do this often, but it’s important when the time comes.
When to Repot: Repot in spring, only when the plant has become root-bound. Signs include roots growing out the drainage holes, or the plant drying out extremely quickly after watering. Typically, this is every 2-3 years.
How to Repot:
- Choose a new pot only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one.
- Gently remove the plant and loosen the root ball slightly.
- Place fresh potting mix in the new pot’s bottom.
- Set the plant in and fill around the sides with more mix.
- Water thoroughly to help settle the soil.
Pruning: Pruning is mainly for shape and size control. You can also remove any dead or yellowing leaves at any time.
- To encourage bushier growth, you can pinch off the very tip of a stem.
- To control height, you can cut back a longer stem to just above a leaf node (the point where a leaf attaches to the stem). New growth will emerge from this node.
- Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to make clean cuts.
Common Pests and Problems
Even with great care, pests can sometimes appear. Catching them early is crucial.
- Spider Mites: Tiny pests that cause fine webbing and stippled, yellow leaves. Increase humidity and wipe leaves with a damp cloth. For infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Mealybugs: Look like small bits of white cotton in leaf joints and undersides. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove them.
- Scale: Appear as small, brown, bumpy shells stuck to stems and leaves. Scrape them off gently or use horticultural oil.
Regularly wiping the leaves with a damp cloth not only keeps them shiny but also helps you spot pests early and allows the plant to breathe better.
Propagating Your Balfour Aralia
Want to make new plants from your existing one? Propagation is usually done through stem cuttings, though it can be slow.
- In spring or early summer, take a 4-6 inch stem cutting with at least 2-3 leaf nodes.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder (this helps but isn’t strictly necessary).
- Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with a moist, well-draining mix (like half peat, half perlite).
- Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a humid environment, but open it occasionally for fresh air.
- Place in warm, bright, indirect light and keep the soil lightly moist. Roots can take several weeks to develop.
FAQ About Balfour Aralia
Is Balfour Aralia pet-friendly?
No. The Balfour Aralia is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. It’s best to keep it out of reach of curious pets.
Why are the leaves on my Balfour Aralia turning yellow and falling off?
This is most commonly caused by overwatering. Check your soil moisture and watering habits. Sudden changes in temperature or light can also cause leaf drop.
How fast does a Balfour Aralia grow?
It is a slow to moderate grower indoors. With ideal conditions, you might see a few inches of new growth and several new leaves each growing season.
Can I put my Balfour Aralia outside in summer?
Yes, but you must be careful. Acclimate it slowly to outdoor conditions by placing it in full shade first, then moving to a spot with dappled light. Never put it in direct, hot sun. Bring it back inside well before nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F (15°C).
What’s the difference between Balfour Aralia and Ming Aralia?
They are related but different. Ming Aralia (Polyscias fruticosa) has much finer, lacy, feathery foliage compared to the large, rounded leaves of the Balfour Aralia.
Should I mist my Balfour Aralia?
Misting can provide a temporary humidity boost and helps keep dust off leaves, but it is not a substitute for proper humidity solutions like a pebble tray or humidifier for long-term health.
Final Tips for Success
Caring for a Balfour Aralia is about consistency. It doesn’t like sudden changes. Try to maintain stable light, temperature, and watering routines.
Pay attention to your plant. It will give you signals. Dropping leaves, changing leaf color, or slowed growth are it’s way of telling you something is off. The key is to observe and adjust your care accordingly.
With its sculptural form and glossy green leaves, a healthy Balfour Aralia brings a sense of calm and lush beauty to your space. It’s a plant that rewards patience and attention, growing alongside you for many years to come. Don’t be discouraged by a few lost leaves as you learn its preferences—this is a resilient plant that can bounce back with the right adjustments.