Polyscias 'Fabian'

Botanical name: Polyscias balfouriana 'Fabian'

Common Name(s): Dinner-Plate Plant, Fabulous Fabian

The Polyscias 'Fabian' is a charismatic and easygoing plant, celebrated for its thick trunk and bushy shape. Paired with its glossy and fanning leaves, resembling tiny umbrellas, it boasts a one-of-a-kind appeal, indeed making it fabulous. The plant is also known as the dinner-plate plant, a nod to its rounded leaves.

What sets this plant apart is its unique growth pattern. The rounded leaves can grow anywhere along the branches, revealing varying degrees of the woody stem, almost making it resemble the popular bonsai plants.

While 'Fabian' has the potential to grow tall in the wild, indoors it usually reaches a height of around 1.2 meters, ensuring a manageable and pleasing presence.

Fun fact: "Polyscias" translates to 'lots of shade,' a reference to its dark, rounded leaves.

Care Guide for Poluscias 'Fabian'

Light and Placement: The polyscias ‘Fabian’ prefers bright to medium indirect light. An ideal placement would be near an east or west-facing window or about 90 cm away from a south-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight, as it may scorch the leaves.

Rotate the plant once for month to ensure a tall and even growth.

Watering: During summer, check your plant every 4-7 days. As the days get colder and longer, cut back on the watering, and check every 7-14 days.

The best way to know if your plant needs watering is to check the top 2,5 cm of the soil with a finger. If the soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to water, otherwise wait for a couple of days. Is possible, use water that is room temperature, as cold water can shock the plant. 

Read our full guide to watering your plants here.

Temperature: Tropical plants thrive in temperatures above 18°C (64°F). As the Polyscias is a tropical plant, it loves humid environments. Misting it once in a while during winter season, where the heaters are on and humidity levels are lower, may be a good idea.

Fertilization: A newly purchased plant is already fertilized and will thrive for the first 5-8 months. After that, fertilize your plant once a month during its growth season, from April to August. Do not fertilize your plant during winter, as it needs a break during the colder months.

The amount of fertilizer depends on the type you use. It's advisable to err on the lower end of the recommended dosage to avoid over-fertilizing your plant.