False Aralia

Anybody have any luck with planting these outside? All the instructions I read say strange things like plant it in "bright shade" or that they don't like to be in the sun but like light. And directions seem to contradict: I've read everything from shade to partial shade to sun or indirect sun.

Also, I've read they get to anywhere from 12 feet to 40 feet.

I'd love to hear from someone who's actually grown one.

I'm in San Diego, zone 10b.

Thanks!

If you read the comments in Plant Files, it's listed as zone 11 only and someone mentions that it doesn't like it if the temp goes below 60 degrees, so I think you'll have much better luck with it as a houseplant. I know it doesn't get super cold in San Diego, but the nights are cool enough and especially in the wintertime I think you could have problems.

hiya bzobell,

I had Dyzgotheca elagantissima (False Aralia) growing outside on an east facing wall. It liked the afternoon shade right up until it got taller than the eaves of the house and then the leaves changed, got broader, turned a light green instead of the dark bronzy green they had when the plant was in the shade, and grew to about 25ft before it bloomed and then I cut it down. My place was in Cardiff by the Sea (zone 10b-11a). It was a great plant for about three years until it got its' face into the sun and went berzerk. I'd grow it again, but I'm in 8b now and it would freeze solid here.

Thanks for your input, guys. More to think about.

I've banned houseplants from my abode because they're too much trouble, so I'll probably try it on an east facing wall, as you say.

I'm no tree expert, but if you were to grow one again, do you think it would have helped to lop off the top once it got into the sun?

Thanks, both of you, for your thoughts.

Bonnie

I have had False Aralias in the ground both in Pasadena and in Los Angeles. Like drdon said, the leave of the younger plants change as they get older, less lacey. The confusion on the shade versus sun I believe comes from the fact that they like mostly shade or early morning sun as young plants eventually getting more sun tolerate as they get older. I have had mine under neath larger trees where they are protected but get early morning sun and dappled sun and do fine. One got to be about 20 feet tall before I moved, the one I have now is about 8 feet tall.

I have had them in the ground as well. It did indeed turn into something other than the tall narrow tree that I had envisioned and I had to take it out.