Polyscias Fabian (Shield aralia)
- Regular price
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€42,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€42,95
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Frequently asked questions
Why does a Polyscias Fabian suddenly lose its leaves? It is almost always related to a change of location, a draft, or overwatering — stabilize the conditions and avoid moving the plant once it is set up.
What is the difference between Polyscias Fabian and Polyscias Roble? The Fabian is distinguished by its very colorful purple-burgundy foliage and its round, fleshy leaves, while the Roble has deep glossy green foliage in a more compact form — two complementary traits within the same family.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
💜 Graphic purple foliage • 🌤️ Bright to indirect light • 💧 Moderate watering • 🏙️ 3 sizes available
The Polyscias Fabian, also known as shield aralia, captivates with its extraordinary foliage: fleshy, round leaves that are dark green on top and burgundy-purple underneath, giving it a sculptural yet colorful silhouette. Its slender, woody trunk and dense, shrubby growth habit make it a true botanical centerpiece.
Native to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, it is one of the Polyscias varieties most sought after for contemporary interiors — its unique purple foliage clearly sets it apart from other tropical species and makes it a natural choice in our selection of collector plants.
Which Polyscias variety should you choose?
Each Polyscias has a distinct character — the foliage makes all the difference. Here's how Fabian compares within the range:
- Polyscias Fabian (this plant) — round dark green and burgundy-purple leaves, with a bushy growth habit. The most colorful and contrasting.
- Polyscias Roble - rounded, glossy deep-green leaves and a compact, dense growth habit. The most classic and versatile.
- Polyscias Balfouriana - round leaves variegated in green and cream, with an airy growth habit. The brightest and most graphic.
- Polyscias Hawaiiana 'Ming' - very finely cut foliage and an upright growth habit. The most airy.
- Polyscias Ming Gold Bonsai - ultra-fine golden foliage and a carefully shaped bonsai form. The most zen and original.
- Polyscias Fruticosa - green, finely cut foliage and a dense, shrubby growth habit. The most classic green variety.
Fabian is the only Polyscias to offer this burgundy-purple contrast — if you're looking for a plant that truly stands out in a composition, this is the one.
Light and placement
Unlike Polyscias Roble, which tolerates partial shade, Fabian needs good light to maintain the intensity of its purple foliage — less light means the foliage will gradually turn green. Light directly affects its growth, closely linked to the balance between light and humidity indoors.
- Ideal exposure: bright indirect light — east- or west-facing window, less than 2 m from a south-facing window.
- Tolerates: a little gentle sun in the morning or late afternoon.
- To avoid: direct midday sun, which scorches the foliage, and dark corners, which fade the purple.
- Temperature: 18–24 °C, away from drafts and sudden changes.
- Substrate: light and well-draining — foliage plant potting soil with clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot.
Every plant is unique: the intensity of the purple naturally varies according to the amount of light received and the season.
Watering & care
Like all Polyscias, Fabian prefers to be slightly underwatered rather than overwatered — waterlogged substrate is the leading cause of leaf drop. Use the finger test to adjust the frequency according to the season.
- Watering: moderate — let the surface of the substrate dry slightly between waterings.
- Frequency: once a week in spring and summer; reduce in fall and winter.
- Water: water at room temperature, preferably low in limescale.
- Humidity: mist the foliage 2 to 3 times a week — it appreciates a humid atmosphere (50–70%).
- Drainage: essential — a pot with drainage holes is mandatory; empty the saucer after watering.
- Fertilizer: liquid fertilizer for foliage plants, diluted by half, once a month from April to September.
Every plant is unique: watering frequency naturally varies according to pot size, room temperature, and the season.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
The burgundy-purple foliage of Polyscias Fabian is one of the most graphic in the catalog — it creates an immediate focal point in any arrangement. A reliable choice for a tropical atmosphere.
- For a contrasting arrangement: pair it with a Philodendron or an Alocasia with large green leaves — Fabian's purple creates a striking color contrast without needing flowers.
- As a living room centerpiece: the H95 cm size stands alone in a corner — place it in a Mayk lead-gray decorative pot for a dark graphic look that enhances the foliage's purple reflections.
- In a trio of Polyscias: pair it with Roble and Balfouriana to play with three color ranges from the same family — deep green, purple, and cream variegated.
- Decorative pot and color scheme: the dark tones of the foliage stand out particularly well against a white ceramic relief decorative pot — the light/dark contrast highlights the intensity of the purple without competing with it.
Verdeia tips
- Choose its permanent location upon receipt: Polyscias Fabian is very sensitive to changes in its environment — each move can trigger temporary leaf drop that subsides within a few weeks if conditions remain stable.
- Maintain adequate ambient humidity: in a heated apartment during winter, dry air is the foliage's main enemy — mist 2 to 3 times a week or place the pot on a bed of damp clay pebbles to create a favorable microclimate.
- Prune in spring to make it bushier: light pruning of overly long stems just above a node in March-April encourages lateral shoots and maintains a compact, bushy growth habit that is far more decorative than a stretched-out silhouette.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian'
- Common name: Shield aralia
- Family: Araliaceae
- Origin: Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia
- Available sizes: H60 cm | Pot Ø17 cm / H60 cm | Pot Ø19 cm / H95 cm | Pot Ø21 cm / H130 cm | Pot Ø27 cm
- Mature size: up to 100–150 cm indoors
- Light requirements: bright indirect light, tolerates some gentle sun
- Watering: moderate — allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings
- Care: moderate
- Growth: slow to moderate
- Toxicity: toxic if ingested (saponins)
- Decorative style: Urban jungle / Contemporary / Minimalist
- Distinctive feature: unique purple-burgundy foliage, fleshy round leaves, sculptural growth habit
Each plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. The intensity of the purple and the density of the foliage naturally vary depending on light levels and the season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.