An evergreen shrub or small tree from the western Pacific, geranium aralia or wild coffee has upright, sparsely branched stems, usually bearing its attractive foliage only at the tips. The leaves are 12—18 in. (30—45 cm) long, divided into 5—9 leaflets, each deeply toothed and mid- green with a creamy white margin.

This plant is ideal for a warm conser­vatory, but may be too large as a houseplant. Its forms would be more appropriate: P.g. ‘Crispa’ is compact with sharply-toothed, bronze-tinted leaves; P g. ‘Laciniata’ has drooping, doubly-pinnate leaves with white, toothed margins; and P.g. ‘Victoriae’ (lace aralia) is compact, to 3 ft. (1 m) with finely dissected leaves, each leaflet having a pure white margin.

Size: Height up to 10 ft. (3 m).

Light: Indirect sunlight.

Temperature: Keep warm; minimum 65°F (18°C).

Moisture: Keep moist all year.

Feeding: Apply standard liquid fertil­izer every two weeks from spring to fall.

Propagation: Take 4 in. (10 can) tip cuttings in spring.

Special needs: To increase humidity, place the pot on a tray of moist peb­bles. Polyscias do not have a rest period; growth merely slows down in winter, so maintain a moist soil.