Grow Light for Ming Aralia: Steady Light to Limit Leaf Drop
The short answer
A grow light for ming aralia gives the steady, bright, indirect light this fine leaved shrub needs indoors. NC State Extension says it prefers bright indirect sun and should avoid long spells of direct sun. Iowa State suggests an LED about 12 to 24 inches from the leaves on a timer for 12 to 14 hours a day.
How much light does a ming aralia need?
Ming aralia is a Polyscias, a slow growing broadleaf evergreen in the aralia family. NC State Extension says that indoors it prefers indirect bright sun or partial shade and that direct sunlight should be avoided for extended periods. It also needs warmth and humid air. Room temperatures should not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and leaf drop can come from low humidity.
University of Minnesota Extension explains why light counts. Plants without enough light may turn pale, stretch with long gaps between leaf nodes and drop leaves, especially older ones. Too much light can scorch and bleach leaves. Iowa State University Extension adds that nearly all indoor plants gain from extra winter light, and many gain all year. For more background, read optimal lighting for growing indoors.
Which grow light suits a ming aralia?
Minnesota lists LEDs as energy efficient and long lasting, with a wide spectrum and little heat. It says white or balanced bulbs suit most plants at any stage, while blue or mixed bulbs suit foliage plants. Because ming aralia is grown for its leaves, a white or full spectrum LED is a practical choice.
| Setting | Guide | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LED distance | 12 to 24 inches from foliage | Iowa State |
| Foliage houseplant distance | 12 to 24 inches | Minnesota |
| Hours on | 12 to 14 hours a day | Iowa State |
| Hours range | At least 10, no more than 16 | Iowa State |
| Spectrum | White or balanced for most plants | Minnesota |
Sources: Iowa State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension.
Iowa State says most fixtures need to sit fairly close, since intensity falls with distance. A shop style LED with full spectrum light can work at about 18 inches. Compare fixture types in grow lights for cannabis.
How do you tell if a ming aralia has the right light?
Watch new growth. Iowa State suggests a simple plan for home growers. Set up lights by a general guide, then adjust based on how plants respond. Long gaps between leaves and pale color point to too little light. Bleached or scorched patches point to too much. Plants need a dark period too, so plug the light into a timer. See grow light timers for setup tips.
How to: step by step
- Place the ming aralia in bright, indirect light, out of long direct sun.
- Pick a white or full spectrum LED.
- Hang it 12 to 24 inches above the foliage.
- Run a timer for 12 to 14 hours a day.
- Hold the room above 60 degrees and raise humidity with a pebble tray.
- Watch new growth for a few weeks.
- Adjust height or hours in small steps.
Troubleshooting
Leaf drop: NC State links leaf drop to low humidity, and Minnesota links it to too little light. Raise humidity and check the light level.
Sparse, stretched growth: Minnesota says low light causes long spaces between leaf nodes. Lower the light or add hours, up to 16.
Pale, scorched leaves: too much light. Raise the fixture or cut back on hours.
Mix drying fast: high light areas run warm, Minnesota notes. Check water more often under bright light.
Give it steady light
A grow light for ming aralia works when the light is bright, indirect and consistent. For more growing ideas, see cannabis seeds from Kind Seed Co.
Sources
- Polyscias (ming aralia), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Lighting for indoor plants and starting seeds, University of Minnesota Extension
- How to set up supplemental lights for indoor plants, Iowa State University Extension
FAQ
Can a ming aralia take direct sun?
NC State Extension says ming aralia prefers indirect bright sun or partial shade indoors and that direct sunlight should be avoided for extended periods. University of Minnesota Extension adds that too much light can leave leaves scorched and bleached.
How far should a grow light be from a ming aralia?
Iowa State University Extension says LEDs can sit 12 to 24 inches from the foliage in most cases. University of Minnesota Extension gives the same 12 to 24 inch range for foliage houseplants. Move the light as the plant grows.
How many hours should the light run?
Iowa State University Extension says 12 to 14 hours suits most species. It advises at least 10 hours and no more than 16 hours a day, because plants still need a period of darkness. A timer makes this easy.
Why is my ming aralia dropping leaves?
NC State Extension says leaf drop can come from low humidity. University of Minnesota Extension says plants short on light may also drop leaves, especially older ones. Check both the light level and the humidity around the plant.
What temperature does a ming aralia need?
NC State Extension says room temperatures should not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for this tropical plant. It also says high humidity helps, so mist the plant or set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles.
