Polyscias pinnata ‘Green Lemon’

Wet tropical forests of the southwestern Pacific

‘Green Lemon’ is a cultivated selection of Polyscias pinnata. The species is native to islands of the southwestern Pacific, where it grows as a shrub or small tree in wet tropical forest.

These forests provide year-round warmth, humid air, bright filtered light and moist, freely draining soil. It grows upright on woody stems and branches often. Indoors, it prefers year-round warmth and regular moisture.

Caring for Polyscias pinnata ‘Green Lemon’

Bright light for a dense crown

Provide bright, indirect light with some gentle sun. Rotate the pot periodically so the woody stems grow evenly. A dark position leads to sparse foliage and stretched new shoots.

Water after the surface dries

Water thoroughly once the upper potting mix has dried, then drain completely. Let the upper layer dry between waterings. Constant saturation damages the roots, and severe repeated drought can trigger leaf drop.

Free drainage around woody roots

Use a stable pot and an airy, well-drained mix. Repot only when roots have occupied the container; moving into a much larger volume of wet mix increases the risk of root loss.

Keep it warm and away from cold draughts

Keep away from cold draughts and frequent relocation. Use a small amount of fertiliser during new growth. Stop feeding once growth slows. Pruning can be used to control height and encourage branching.

When Polyscias pinnata ‘Green Lemon’ is unhappy

Sudden leaf drop

Check for a recent move, cold draught, severe drying or saturated roots. Correct the environmental swing first; repeatedly adding water can worsen stress-related leaf loss.

Soft yellow lower leaves

Wet compost and poor drainage are the main suspects. Let the root zone regain air and remove any black, soft roots if decline continues.

Long gaps between leaves

Increase light and pinch healthy shoot tips after the plant has stabilised. Old bare wood will not always leaf out, so prevention is more reliable than repair.

Scale on stems and leaf stalks

Look for fixed brown bumps and sticky residue. Isolate, clean the woody stems and repeat treatment through the pest’s life cycle.

Polyscias pinnata ‘Green Lemon’ is toxic to cats and dogs

• Keep this plant away from cats and dogs that may chew it.
• It contains saponins that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.
• Chewing may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, reduced appetite or weakness. Contact a veterinarian if symptoms develop.

Why is it called Polyscias pinnata?

Polyscias combines Greek polys, many, with skia, shade, parasol or canopy. Pinnata means feathered and describes the leaflets arranged along a central axis.

Johann Reinhold Forster and Johann Georg Adam Forster established the genus Polyscias in 1776 in Characteres Generum Plantarum, second edition, page 63.

Johann Reinhold Forster and Johann Georg Adam Forster first described Polyscias pinnata in 1776 in Characteres Generum Plantarum, second edition, page 64.