Polyscias Fabian (Purple Aralia)
- Regular price
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€56,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€56,95
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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
Shipping within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection to ensure the plant arrives in perfect condition
- Parcel tracking sent by email as soon as shipped
- Free delivery on orders over €50
48H QUALITY GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us within 48 hours at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- Free replacement or full refund
- No return necessary – we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage related to transport, severely weakened plant upon arrival, preparation errors.
CARE TIPS UPON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Let it acclimatize 24-48h in a bright spot without direct sunlight
- Check soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting
- Avoid heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe 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 called Purple Aralia, captivates with its extraordinary foliage: fleshy round leaves, dark green on top and burgundy-purple underneath, giving it a sculptural and colorful silhouette. Its thin woody trunk and dense shrubby habit make it a true botanical centerpiece.
Native to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, it is among the most sought-after Polyscias for contemporary interiors — its unique purple foliage clearly sets it apart from other tropical species and makes it a natural choice in our collection plant selection.
Which Polyscias variety to choose?
Each Polyscias has a distinct character — it’s the foliage that makes all the difference. Here’s how the Fabian fits into the range:
- Polyscias Fabian (this plant) — dark green and burgundy-purple round leaves, bushy habit. The most colorful and contrasting.
- Polyscias Roble — glossy deep green rounded leaves, compact and dense habit. The most classic and versatile.
- Polyscias Balfouriana — round variegated green and cream leaves, airy habit. The brightest and most graphic.
- Polyscias Hawaiiana 'Ming' — very finely dissected foliage, slender habit. The most airy.
- Polyscias Ming Gold Bonsaï — ultra-fine golden foliage, shaped bonsai form. The most zen and original.
- Polyscias Fruticosa — green dissected foliage, dense shrubby habit. The most classic in green version.
The Fabian is the only Polyscias to offer this purple-burgundy contrast — if you’re looking for a plant that really stands out in an arrangement, this is it.
Exposure & placement
Unlike the Polyscias Roble which tolerates partial shade, the Fabian needs good brightness to maintain the intensity of its purple foliage — less light means foliage that gradually turns green. To understand how light affects your tropical plants, check out our analysis on the balance of light and humidity indoors.
- Ideal exposure: bright indirect light — east or west window, less than 2 m from a south-facing window.
- Tolerates: some gentle sun in the morning or late afternoon.
- To avoid: direct midday sun that burns the foliage, dark corners that fade the purple.
- Temperature: 18–24 °C, without drafts or sudden changes.
- Substrate: light and draining — potting soil for green plants with clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot.
Each plant is unique: the intensity of the purple naturally varies depending on the light received and the season.
Watering & care
Like all Polyscias, the Fabian prefers to be slightly underwatered rather than overwatered — a soggy substrate is the main cause of leaf drop. Use the finger test method to adjust frequency according to the season.
- Watering: moderate — let the surface of the substrate dry slightly between waterings.
- Frequency: once a week in spring-summer; reduce in autumn-winter.
- Water: room temperature water, preferably non-calcareous.
- Humidity: mist the foliage 2 to 3 times a week — it enjoys a humid atmosphere (50–70%).
- Drainage: essential — pot must have drainage holes, saucer emptied after watering.
- Fertilizer: liquid fertilizer for green plants diluted by half, once a month from April to September.
Each plant is unique: watering frequency naturally varies depending on pot size, ambient temperature, and season.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
The burgundy-purple foliage of the Polyscias Fabian is one of the most graphic in the catalog — it creates an immediate focal point in any arrangement. To explore more tropical pairings, check out our ideas to create a tropical atmosphere.
- In contrasting composition: pair it with a Philodendron or an Alocasia with large green leaves — the purple of the Fabian creates a striking color contrast without needing flowers.
- As a centerpiece in the living room: the H95 cm size stands out alone in a corner — slip it into a Mayk lead decorative pot for a dark graphic look that amplifies the purple reflections of the foliage.
- In a Polyscias trio: pair it with Roble and Balfouriana to play with three color ranges in 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 relief ceramic decorative pot — the light/dark contrast highlights the intensity of the purple without competing with it.
Verdeia tips
- Choose its final location upon receipt: Polyscias Fabian is very sensitive to environmental changes — each move can trigger temporary leaf drop that resolves within a few weeks if conditions remain stable.
- Maintain proper ambient humidity: in heated apartments during winter, dry air is the main enemy of the foliage — mist 2 to 3 times a week or place the pot on a bed of moist clay pebbles to create a favorable microclimate.
- Prune in spring to thicken: light pruning of overly long stems above a node in March-April stimulates lateral shoots and maintains a compact, bushy shape that is much more decorative than a stretched silhouette.
Technical characteristics
- Botanical name: Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian'
- Common name: Purple 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
- Adult size: up to 100–150 cm indoors
- Exposure: bright indirect light, tolerates some soft sunlight
- Watering: moderate — allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings
- Care: moderate
- Growth: slow to medium
- Toxicity: toxic if ingested (saponins)
- Decorative style: Urban jungle / Contemporary / Minimalist
- Feature: unique burgundy-purple foliage, fleshy round leaves, sculptural shape
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 the light 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?
Shipping is done within 48 business hours, with tracked delivery within 2 to 5 business days. Delivery costs €5.60 — free for orders over €50. You will receive a tracking link as soon as the package is shipped.
What to do upon receiving my plant?
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 to 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.