False aralia is a tropical perennial plant that belongs in the araliaceae family of plants. It can be found naturally on New Hebrides, which is a body of land in the South Pacific Ocean. These plants can be used in three ways. They can be planted in terrariums or smaller pots, where they will only reach 3 inches in height (around 7 cm). If the false aralia is planted in a medium-sized pot, the plant can grow to reach 14 inches in height (around 35 cm) and if it is planted outdoors, it can reach over 20 feet in height (around 6 m).
If the false aralia plant is an average size, it has longer tan stems. When the plant becomes larger, the base stem will resemble a tree trunk and it will also have a bark-like texture. Along the stems of this tree, there are unusual-looking leaves with several jagged-edged individual petals. Each dark green leaf is long and droops in a downward position while growing. In late fall or early winter, the false aralia produces colorful blooms.
The blooms grow from single stems that are nestled among the leaves. These blooms can be a bright pink to orange with several tiny lilac-like flowers in a cluster. Each individual flower has an orange center. A false aralia bloom has a pleasing, strong fragrance.
A false aralia is a tropical flower, which means that it will not survive in temperatures that go below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (around 4 C). If kept outdoors, it should be placed in an area that receives full direct sunlight for four hours a day. It can be kept in moderately shaded areas, but it will not produce as many blooms.
When kept indoors in pots, this plant's container should have ample holes in the bottom for water drainage. If it is planted outdoors, it should be placed on a slight hill, so excess water can easily flow away from the root system. Too much water can do considerable damage to or even kill this plant.
The false aralia plant is also unfortunately prone to insect infestation. Mealy bugs and other insects can harm this plant. If an infestation is apparent, a pesticide can be used to remove the bugs. In order for the plant to fully recover, a pesticide may have to be used for a long period of time to completely eliminate the insects.
