Which Polyscias variety to choose?

The Polyscias genus offers several indoor Aralia varieties, each with its own foliage and habit characteristics. Here’s how the Polyscias Balfouriana stands out from other varieties in our catalog:

• Polyscias Balfouriana (this plant): round green and cream variegated leaves, airy and light habit, bright and delicate look. Perfect to gently brighten an interior and bring luminosity.
• Polyscias Roble: shiny deep green rounded leaves, compact and dense habit, miniature zen tree silhouette, elegant and refined look. For a classic minimalist and calming style.
• Polyscias Fabian: spectacular rounded purple-burgundy leaves, compact and bushy habit, luxurious and colorful look. To add a bold and sophisticated touch of color.
• Polyscias Hawaiiana 'Ming': very graphic fine and cut foliage, slender and airy habit, delicate and sophisticated look. For a unique graphic and contemporary effect.

Why choose the Polyscias Balfouriana? If you’re looking for a bright and gentle Polyscias with variegated foliage that brings clarity to your interior, the Balfouriana is the perfect choice. Its round green and cream variegated leaves create a light and soothing visual effect, perfect to brighten a space without being too imposing. It’s the brightest and most delicate variety.

Exposure & placement

The Polyscias Balfouriana enjoys bright indirect light to partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight which can burn its delicate variegated foliage.

• Exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade.
• Ideal: living room, office, bedroom, entrance, or bright room without direct sunlight.
• Temperature: 18 to 25 °C, without cold drafts.
• Substrate: light and well-drained, universal potting soil with perlite.

Verdeia tip: regularly mist the foliage to recreate a tropical atmosphere and preserve its brightness.

Watering & care

• Watering: moderate; let the substrate surface dry between waterings.
• Frequency: about every 7-10 days in spring-summer, reduce in winter.
• Drainage: essential — use a pot with drainage holes and clay pebbles at the bottom.
• Humidity: enjoys 50-60% humidity, regularly mist the foliage.
• Fertilizer: once every 4-6 weeks in spring-summer with diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants.
• Pruning: light pruning in spring to maintain its compact and balanced shape.

Polyscias hates standing water — prefers slight underwatering over excess moisture.

Decor ideas & plant pairings

With its bright variegated foliage and airy habit, the Polyscias Balfouriana brings a soft and refined touch to your urban jungle. It creates a light and calming focal point.

• Pair with: Schefflera Compacta 'Nora', Ficus elastica, Calathea Orbifolia, or other tropical plants to create an elegant urban jungle.
• Ideal pot: matte ceramic decorative pot, light concrete, rattan, or recycled plastic to highlight its variegated foliage.
• Atmosphere: perfect as a decorative plant in a living room, an office for a zen touch, a bedroom for its soothing effect, or an entryway to welcome with elegance.

Place it in a light decorative pot or on a light wooden pedestal for a stylish and calming effect.

Verdeia Tips

• Easy to care for — perfect for beginners.
• Air-purifying plant — improves indoor air quality.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes and drafts.
• Regularly mist the foliage to maintain a fresh look.
• Gently clean the leaves with a damp cloth.
• Repot every 2-3 years in spring in a light and well-draining substrate.
• Pinch young shoots in spring to encourage branching.
• Medium growth — be patient to see the plant develop.
• Slightly toxic — avoid ingestion, keep out of reach of animals.
• If the leaves yellow, reduce watering — it is often a sign of overwatering.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Polyscias balfouriana
• Common name: Polyscias Balfouriana, round-leaf Aralia
• Family: Araliaceae
• Origin: Pacific islands
• Dimensions at delivery: Ø17 × H50 cm
• Adult size: up to 120–150 cm indoors
• Exposure: bright indirect light to partial shade
• Watering: moderate, allow the surface to dry between waterings
• Care: easy (perfect for beginners)
• Toxicity for animals: slightly toxic (avoid ingestion)
• Decorative style: Contemporary / Elegant / Urban jungle / Zen
• Particularity: bright green and cream variegated foliage, airy and light habit, air-purifying plant, delicate and refined appearance

Each plant is unique: the photos show an example of its appearance. The density and variegation of the foliage naturally vary according to light and growing conditions.