Full Size Balfour Aralia
What is a Balfour Aralia?
The Balfour Aralia plant has round leaves like little dinner plates, earning it the not-very-elegant nickname Dinner Plate Plant, which he’s a bit sensitive about. The leaves are bright green with pretty ruffled edges, unlike most dinner plates (at least the ones made since the 70s). Some also have cream edges or variegations.
The big leaves might be clean enough to eat off of, but more importantly, they purify the air so that your air is clean enough to breathe.
Balfour Aralia benefits
Balfour Aralia is a magnificent air-purifying plant. You’d think Aralia would be a good chef, thanks to his nickname “the Dinner Plate Plant,” but he really hopes you’ll take over dinner prep if he cleans the place up every day. As a housemate, he’s fussy but fair.
He tends to live a long life, so if you want to commit to a Big Plant, here’s your opportunity.
Is Balfour Aralia the right plant for you?
Balfour Aralia grows slowly and lives a long time, so it makes a majestic big houseplant. If you want to be a proud plant parent for a long time, add him to your collection.
He’s very handsome, and his unique round leaves add some soft charm to your space.
How to care for a Balfour Aralia
The Balfour Aralia is a fairly difficult big plant: If your plants are thriving and you’re up for a challenge, the Aralia will make you feel like an accomplished plant parent.
Does the Balfour Aralia like sun or shade?
The Balfour Aralia plant likes plenty of bright, indirect light. Aralia Balfour is a bit too delicate for direct sun, but without enough sun, his growth will become spindly (long stems, few leaves). Let him bask in the dappled sunlight at a north window, where he’s most likely to thrive.
Not sure what kind of light you have? Check out our indoor lighting guide.
How often does the Balfour Aralia need to be watered?
Keep the soil consistently moist for your Aralia Balfour, but make sure to use a pot and a soil blend that have excellent drainage. If the soil is too wet, his roots will rot and his leaves will fall off, and then who’s going to be the pretty one in the house?
Does Balfour Aralia have any special requirements?
Balfour Aralia takes his health really seriously, so give him nutritious fertilizer once a month during the spring, summer, and fall. (He chills out during winter and doesn’t need as much to eat.)
To keep the Balfour Aralia looking its best, you’ll need to prune it occasionally. Remove the yellow and brown leaves, and if you want the Aralia in a specific shape or size, prune the stuff that goes beyond those bounds. He won’t mind—he loves getting a haircut and looking spiffy (he’s a bit particular).
Re-pot every 2 or 3 years.
The Balfour Aralia plant loves humidity, so if you don’t have any natural humidity, then manufacture some by buying a humidifier, spraying him with water, placing his pot on a pebble tray, or moving to Malaysia.
Is Balfour Aralia safe for pets?
Sadly, Balfour Aralia isn’t safe for pets or kids, and your cat just vowed to end all her toxic relationships.
Must know before buying Balfour Aralia
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Toxic to pets and children
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Beautiful
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Air-purifying
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A little fussy
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Bright indirect light
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Moist soil with great drainage
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Needs pruning
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Likes humidity
