Are you seeing any new growth?

Personally, I've found that Polyscias will just do this, whenever they feel like it. They seem to be rather 'semi-deciduous'.

They'll do it one year, won't do it the next, some years they'll do it a few time a year, and some years not at all.....but as long as you're seeing new growth and you haven't overwatered (which is easy to do this time of year) all should be well, eventually.

I've found that they like to go very dry this time of year. Hope you have some new growth!

I have to disagree about the watering routine. I believe that these plants never do well if allowed to dry out, but should be kept moderately moist all year round. If your soil is a good, porous product, then I'd certainly keep this plant on the moist side at all times, less if it's peaty.

The frequency of watering, of course, depends upon how quickly the potting medium is drying out, and moisture meters are extremely unreliable.

Have you repotted your plant during the 5 years you've had it? Even if it did not need a new container, potting soil 'wears out' and collapses, requiring changouts every now and then. The older the potting medium, the more difficult it is to water 'correctly'. Dry pockets may form.

The medium should be fast draining so that you can drench your plant thoroughly each and every time that you water, never applying little sips at a time. Then, and only then, can you be certain that all of the root/soil system has been saturated with fresh, oxygenated water.

I haven't grown one of these plants for years, as I found them rather fussy. Low humidity and drafts (hot or cold) can be a real problem, and they prefer a warmer temperature than I am willing to provide in the winter. They love a very bright location to do best, too.

Do any of these suggestions ring a bell with you?

I loved my ming aralia. I can't remember what killed it. Here is an interesting google http://www.rhapisgardens.com/ming-aralias/
I would suggest really looking it over for bugs-maybe spider mites. You could try my favorite plastic bag technique-water it then stick it under a plastic bag in a bright spot.

I hope it survives for you

Hahaaaaa aww me if ever there was a houseplant that God made like a woman it was a Ming ARALIA. Beautifull to look at, nice to be around but living with one....Haahahaa No really their a great plant but just have these moods. Something you just have to put up with. Think of them as a woman going to get a new hair do. No really you'll get along alot better just waiting for it to grow back out. I have several of them for years and the grey hairs that went with them.

Same thing happened to mine two years ago. Forget where I got this advice, but was told it was more than likely due to compacted soil. I just loosened up the top inch or so of soil with a spoon (very gently) and it was amazing how quickly it got better. I think the water that I was giving it was maybe going down the sides of the pot instead of to the roots. Mine does seem to at least once a year develop brown stems which fall off along with their green leaves. I've decided this is normal, and it actually makes for a more stunning form.

Thanks for all the advice people...I water it regularly never too much. I repotted it last summer and it responded well to the repot with all kinds of new shoots. It's in a warm spot with lots of indirect light. The new top shoots are still fine and I'm watching that. It's the older growth that is dropping off. I've had growth yellow and drop off but that's because I let it dry out - that's why I water it regularly. I think maybe I gave it too much water over the December month as I was not around a lot and wanted to keep it moist - maybe too moist. Anyway now - I am not watering it at all waiting for it to dry out a bit and so far the dropping seems to have stopped.(sigh) Plants can be like young children - can't they?? We'll see what happens in the next month.

I'll let everyone know in a follow up message when I conclude what happened.

This plant benefits enormously from a pebble tray. I had a Ming for a number of yrs. Don't remember what finally killed it, but I grew one of this for some time & loved it.

I currently grow 2 Balfour Aralias (related plants) & I always keep them on a pebble tray. HTH

My Ming is doing just what you are describing, I am freaking out! I went on vacation for two weeks and the kid I had feeding the cat was suppose to water my plants as well. I think he was a little lax and when I got home she started dropping brown leaf bunches. OK, I figured she was in shock. But now, three weeks later whole sections are drooping then dying while still green! I can't let her die, I love this plant! I mist her every day, water and feed her as always. I am not seeing any new growth either. Should I try repotting? Do they like being pot bound or can I go to a bigger pot? HELP!!!

This plant loves to be potbound. Whatever you do, don't repot unless the roots are pushing out of the pot. Mine is going through the same thing which it does every year around this time. I think it's just the season for it to drop branches and getting ready for the spring. Don't give up on it. New growth will start in a month or so.

Man I wish I read your response sooner rosebud, I repotted. Uhhhhgggg, I guess I just put the nail in the coffin.

Perhaps not such a problem, but I'd suggest stop misting it. If it were my plant, I would do nothing more to it, let it rest & recover for a week & then see how it's doing & water it.

Hope your aralia is doing fine. I agree with pirate girl about the misting. In my opinion, more damage can be done with misting plants than without. Misting causes the plants pores to open in order to recieve the mist, but usually the mist is long evaporated before the pores close, thus drying out the plant even more. A pepple tray or a pot within a higher pot that can keep a few inches of water below the first one will do more good.

If you don't happen to have a real humidifier but do happen to have a crock pot (sometimes referred to as a slow cooker --->looks like these thingys here), use it for a temporary solution. Keep a close enough eye on the water level.

(Being born and raised up in Alaska, I remember, and have much empathy, how arid the north can get during the winter months; but even here in FL where I live now there is much humidity, one runs when needed indoors.)