Sometimes people will call, looking for a particular tree that they’re having trouble finding.  Of all the indoor tropical plants, I think the one that’s most commonly looked for is the Ming Aralia.  That’s hardly a surprise if you’ve ever had a look at one, because there is something exotic and very original about this plant, even when it’s grown as a full sized tropical.  It’s a tree that most people have never heard of and only a very few will recognize the characteristic deeply incised leaf structure and complex growth habit.

But when it’s grown as a tropical indoor bonsai plant, you really have something special to display in your living room.  The real name is Polyscias fruticosa and it’s often referred to as the Parsley plant- which has always struck me a something of an understatement. If you can ensure that your Ming is kept warm, consistently moist without being waterlogged and if you can place it in a medium amount of indirect light, it will grow well for you.  If you’ve been looking for just the right plant to add some Oriental flair to your décor, a Ming Aralia bonsai is worth hunting down- and maybe even waiting for.