Why Is My Balfouriana Aralia Dropping Leaves?

There are a number of reasons why your Aralia Balfour is dropping leaves. This indicates that the plant may be stressed, which is often the case when a plant is either being over-watered or under-watered.

If your Aralia Balfour begins dropping leaves, it’s best to evaluate its environment and try to find the source of stress.

The most common reasons for an aralia dropping leaves are;

Overwatering

Overwatering is one of the biggest problems with aralia. It is also a problem for many other popular houseplants.

While the plant may look healthy, it is suffering from the rot that can be caused by overwatering. If its roots are damaged, excess water will get through easier and cause root rot.

If you notice that your aralia is dropping leaves, you should immediately cut back on watering and make sure to keep the bottom one-half inch of the soil moist.

Underwatering

Underwatering can cause a plant to drop leaves. If its roots do not receive enough water, the leaves will begin to wilt, causing the plant to drop their leaves to conserve energy.

This is especially common during the winter months when plants are resting. It’s a good idea to check on your aralia and give it a little more water if you notice that its soil is drying out.

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations

Balfouriana Aralia requires constancy and thrives in warm climates. Extremely hot or cold conditions will stress the plant and produce leaf loss, with cold temperatures posing the greatest risk of serious damage.

Place Balfouriana Aralia away from drafty regions and away from air currents from heaters or air conditioners.

Outdoor-grown plants should be planted in a wind-sheltered location with a southerly exposure. To reduce leaf loss during excessive heat or cold periods, keep the soil slightly wet.

Too Much Sunlight

For most plants, too much sunlight can cause leaf loss. If your plant is getting direct sunlight for long periods of time during the day, it may begin to wilt.

Too much sunlight can also cause sunburn, which may turn the top layer of leaves brown and crispy. Balfouriana Aralia needs indirect sunlight.

This plant will do best with 2-3 hours of direct sunlight each day, and it has to be applied in the morning. So, if you see a problem, it may mean you’ve given your plant too much light during the day.

Insect Damage

Insects such as aphids, mealy bugs, and spider mites can infest your Aralia Balfouriana when it is stressed, causing the leaves to turn brown or black and fall off.

They feed on the juices that come out of damaged leaves and begin to attack healthy ones.

If your plant begins to exhibit wilting or discolored dying leaves, inspect the plant for insects.

Over Fertilization

Over fertilizing can cause your aralia to fall leaves. Over fertilizing can cause root rot, a disease that causes your plant’s roots to stop growing, and affect their ability to perform photosynthesis.

This makes your Aralia Balfouriana extremely weak and hard to maintain and can cause it to die.

Aralia Balfouriana does best in a well-drained soil, so you should use a slow-release fertilizer for proper growth.

If your plant is dropping leaves, check the nutrient levels in the soil by testing its pH levels. Too much nitrogen can cause root rot, so be sure not to over fertilize your plants.

Root Rot

Roots that are experiencing root rot will begin to turn brown and mushy, causing the leaves above to wilt. This is a serious condition because without its roots, your plant can’t absorb the nutrients it needs to survive.

Root rot can be identified by brown spots on the base of the plant and is caused by over-watering, not watering enough, or being planted in soil that has flaws.

Aralia Balfouriana does well in mostly well drained soil with some organic matter added.

Lack Of Sunlight

Aralia Balfouriana requires at least a few hours of sunlight to thrive.

Balfouriana Aralia is native to the mountain forests of South Africa and requires indirect sunlight. If you keep this plant in low light conditions, it may begin to wilt or drop leaves due to not getting the light it needs.

Aralia Balfouriana plants thrive in full sun to part shade with a very well-drained medium.

How Fast Does Aralia Balfouriana Grows?

The growth rate of Aralia Balfouriana is very slow. Even while it will do great in a general, all-purpose potting soil for house plants, your Aralia Balfouriana will thrive best when planted in soil that has a significant proportion of peat. Peat is a kind of decomposed organic matter.

Because Aralia Balfouriana plants are slow-growing, they require infrequent repotting.

The Aralia Balfouriana is native to the tropics and prefers damp soil; nevertheless, it cannot survive in soil that is constantly wet.

Keep an eye on the condition of the soil around your Aralia Balfouriana; when the top layer dries up, it is time to give it some water.

How Much Water Does Aralia Balfouriana Needs?

Aralia Balfouriana needs moist soil all the time but NOT wet soil. They hate soggy soil. If your plant is drooping, it is a good sign that it needs some water.

Aralia Balfouriana can be overwatered very easily, especially in the winter months when it’s in its dormancy stage.

If you notice that your Aralia Balfour has dropped leaves, check and make sure that the bottom inch of your soil is not too wet or too dry.

Because of their delicate root structure, aralias are susceptible to becoming overwatered. Before you water the soil in the container, the top half inch should always be let to dry out completely.

Because they are dormant throughout the winter, plants have an even lower requirement for water. Aralias may only require watering once per month if they are grown in conditions with low light.

What Are The Pests That Affects Aralia Balfouriana?

Aralia Balfouriana is susceptible to a variety of pests. Because they are slow-growing plants, they are susceptible to damage from pests and disease. They are prone to aphids and mealy bugs.

Mealy bugs will feed on the juices of the plant, causing it to lose nutrients and water, causing it to look weak and wiry.

Getting rid of these insects requires using insecticides such as soap spray or an insecticidal soap solution.

Aphids can also cause damage; they move from plant to plant by finding their way into a leaf and sucking.

Aphids are usually mistaken for spider mites and are small in size, but they can be distinguished by their tiny legs.

Fungus is rare, but if you believe your plant is affected by fungus, use a fungicide to get rid of it.

How To Prune Aralia Balfouriana?

Aralia Balfouriana does not need significant amounts of pruning. However, you can prune your Aralia Balfouriana to control height, remove damaged or diseased stems and branches, or to control its shape.

Pruning of Aralia Balfouriana is best performed during the winter when it’s in its dormant stage.

To prune your Aralia Balfouriana, cut off branches near the base of the plant where they are easily noticeable. Make sure not to remove more than one-third of the plant’s total growth at any one time.

When all the leaves turn yellow and fall, take them off; this will reduce the weight on your plant, helping it stay upright.

What Hardiness Zone Does Aralia Balfouriana Grow?

The plant known as Aralia Balfouriana, which is also known as Balfour Aralia or Polyscias Balfouriana, may be cultivated outside in hardiness zones 10 and 11.

However, it is more usually seen inside. Other names for this plant include Balfour Aralia.

The Aralia Balfouriana is a popular choice for a home plant not only due to the fact that it grows vertically but also due to its lovely leaves, which are scalloped and bordered in white.

The Aralia Balfouriana is a plant that matures very slowly.

It is possible to trim it into the shape of anything from a little bonsai to a bush or tree of a similar size.

Can Aralia Balfouriana Be Use As A Bonsai?

The Balfouriana Aralia, also known as Polyscias Balfouriana or Aralia Balfour, is an exceptionally well-liked indoor plant.

When it comes to the upkeep of an interior space, it is important to pay attention to areas that have dispersed light, and it is also appropriate to have some direct sunshine throughout the day.

The Balfouriana Aralia is tolerant of high temperatures, as well as drought, wetness, and shade.

The Balfouriana Aralia has a lovely posture and an ancient appearance; it is appropriate for use as a decorative element in the living room, garden, or flower garden and may also be admired in the form of a bonsai.

Does Balfouriana Aralia Likes Misting?

The Balfouriana Aralia is a popular indoor plant because it requires very little care in order to thrive.

Misting the Balfouriana Aralia plant often is a good practice, because the Balfouriana Aralia is a species that is indigenous to the Pacific Islands. It thrives in situations that are humid, sunny, and warm.

Balfouriana Aralia (Polyscias balfouriana) can tolerate drought, so it’s important to keep the soil slightly wet and dry.

It is a leaf-viewer, and during the heat of the summer, it frequently sprays water on its leaves to make them a vibrant dark green color.