Native to the Southwest Pacific, Polyscias fruticosa grows to 25 feet in the wild but submits quietly to interior life, settling at 6 to 8 feet indoors. Its tri-pinnate foliage is finely cut and lacy, stacked along upright stems in a way that reads as both tropical and architecturally precise. The oriental character of the plant made it a staple of mid-century interiorscapes, and large specimens command high prices for exactly that reason.

Ming Aralia rewards attentiveness rather than enthusiasm. Bright indirect light, warm air, and medium to high humidity suit it best. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry between waterings and mist the foliage between sessions to maintain humidity. Watch for aphids and mealybugs, and be especially cautious with overwatering — root rot is the most common way to lose a specimen that took years to build.