Polyscias guilfoylei
wild coffee
A tender, evergreen shrub with pinnate leaves composed of rounded, irregularly-margined, glossy dark green leaflets. Grow in a warm conservatory or as a houseplant
Synonyms
Aralia guilfoyleiSize
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Polyscias are evergreen shrubs and small trees with simple, pinnate or palmately dissected leaves; small greenish flowers are borne in umbels aggregated into panicles, and may be followed by small black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E Malesia, W Pacific
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in loam-based potting compost in full or bright, filtered light. In growth, water freely, mist daily and apply a balanced liquid feed every month. Water sparingly in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed; take greenwood cuttings in early summer, or root leafless stem sections with bottom heat in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
See pruning group 1
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.