Japanese Aralia ( Fatsia japonica ) is a stunning evergreen shrub that is hugely popular as an indoor plant. It has large glossy, deeply lobed maple like leaves, that are a vivid green. They are low maintenance, fast growing and happy in those shadier rooms indoors; or those places in the garden where many plants will not thrive. These plants are also pet safe, unlike so many indoor plants!
Fatsia japonica are a great feature plant both indoors and outdoors. This species has a tropical look but will grow outdoors even in temperate climates, tolerating. It’s popularity as an indoor plant is not only due to its size and ease of growth but because it is also an indoor air purifying plant; removing toxic chemicals from the air indoors.
This species is native to Japan and Korea. Other common names include Paper Plant; Fatsi; Glossy-Leaved Paper Plant: Aralia; and False Castor Oil Plant. Suitable for any climate although indoors in cold climates.
Growth
The Fatsia japonica is fast growing and can get to the size of a small tree at around 2.5-3 metres tall & wide. The leaves are large and though starting out around the size of a 50 cent piece, will quickly grow up to as large as 25-40cm’s! Leaves have an average of 7-8 lobes, but can have 9, they start off bright green and mature to a dark green.
Japanese Aralia are very hardy and there is only a couple of things that this plant wont tolerate, full sun and heavy drought. This species will get leaf burn in full sun locations and prefers a full shade to afternoon shade position; thriving in light but full shade spots. They will tolerate some drought but are very dramatic when they are thirsty; dropping heavily. You won’t forget to water this one, it will definitely let you know which makes them easy care for beginners. Its leaves will jump back up after drooping from dehydration, almost before your eyes. Aralia will barely need extra water outdoors during the winter.
Although mild outdoor frosts can seemingly kill this plant, they will usually pop back up once the weather improves. Heavy pruning to a preferred size is well tolerated, trimming leaves in early Spring will encourage a fuller looking plant; as they can get leggy. The leaves/branches can grow quite large and weighty, similar to a monstera, remove these if they are too large by cutting off at the base.
Indoors will cope with a shadier spot but prefers some indirect light.
FAMILY:
Araliaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5°C to 40°C / 23 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Most well draining soil types, including clay. Growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Shade – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
5.8-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, Fast Growing.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low – Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by insects, Bisexual.
MATURITY:
2-4 years
GERMINATION RATES:
52-84%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-12 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
120
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
None Known
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge). 1-2 years
FACTS ABOUT FATSIA JAPONICA (Japanese Aralia)
This species has a variegated variety with white & green bi-coloured leaves, called Fatsia Japonica ‘Spiders Web’. This variety can not be grown by seed, only by tissue culture and cuttings. The Spiders Web has gained the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Japanese Aralia gets one of its common names, False Castor Oil Plant due to its leaf shape which is similar.
