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Fatsia japonica

Previously known as:

  • Aralia japonica
  • Aralia sieboldii
Phonetic Spelling
FAT-see-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

Glossy-Leaved Paper Plant is a semi-dense broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree that has the appearance of tropical foliage. Place in a protected site as the leaves will brown if exposed to full sun or wind. Grown in a pot it can be on a shady patio in the summer.    This plant can also be grown as a houseplant which is a positive attribute considering that deer frequently damage it.  Grows best in acidic, well-drained organically rich soils but tolerates sandy and clay soils.  It tolerates drought once established, air pollution, and is moderately tolerant of salt spray..  Prune it any time of year to maintain shape and fertilize regularly except in the winter when it is not growing.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and thrips are occasional problems.  Too much moisture in the soil can cause root rot.  

Quick ID Hints:

  • Evergreen shrub with palmately-lobed leaves
  • 7-11 serrate lobes; sinuses are entire

Evergreen shrub to 19.5', rounded and spreading.

Blooms in autumn and fruit ripens in mid to late winter; used as house plant as well as outdoor landscape plant; leaves will brown if sited in full sun or with wind exposure; variegated cultivars are available. 

Transplants readily; prefers moist, acid highly organic soils; tolerant of sandy to heavy clay soils; prefers part to full shade; tolerant of pollution and salt spray; no serious pest problems.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Backyard Respite Landscape Collector’s Garden Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Shade (Medium) Garden - Winter at the NHC Arboretum
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Camouflage
    Big splashes of yellow-green variegation
  • 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade'
  • 'Spider's Web'
    Variegated leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated leaves
Camouflage, 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#salt tolerant#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#interiorscape#flower arrangements#showy fruits#salt spray tolerant#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#black fruits#fantz#leathery leaves#evergreen shrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#dry shade#patio#hedge#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Camouflage
    Big splashes of yellow-green variegation
  • 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade'
  • 'Spider's Web'
    Variegated leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated leaves
Camouflage, 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#salt tolerant#shade garden#broadleaf evergreen#interiorscape#flower arrangements#showy fruits#salt spray tolerant#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#black fruits#fantz#leathery leaves#evergreen shrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#dry shade#patio#hedge#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Fatsia
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea, Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 19 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fleshly black drupes rarely occur indoors. A globose drupe, green turning to black, 1/4".
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Seasonal bloomer indoors late fall outdoors, but rarely indoors. Creamy white flowers on terminal umbel resemble drumsticks with a white stalk, glabrescent. A terminal umbel, usually twice compound, 1-1.25" dia.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Filiform
    Oblong
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green leaves; Palmately 7-9 serrate lobes; 6'-14" wide. Make excellent long-lasting cut foliage for flower arrangements. Alternate, simple, deeply palmately lobed (7-11), cordate, coriaceous, glossy dark green, 3 x 1.25 feet; lobes oblong-elliptic, acuminate, serrate; sinuses entire.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stout, coarse, prominent leaf scars.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution
    Salt