Big-leaf paper plant Fatsia japonica
Other Common Name(s):
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. It is rounded and spreading in form and, at maturity, reaches a height of 19 feet. 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.
The plant grows best in acidic, moist, well-drained organically rich soils but tolerates sandy and clay soils. It prefers part to full shade and is tolerant of pollution and salt spray. It tolerates drought once established. Prune it any time of year to maintain shape, keeping in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on new growth. Fertilize regularly except in the winter when it is not growing.
It blooms in autumn and fruit ripens in mid to late winter. The plant is often used as house plant as well as an outdoor landscape plant. The leaves will brown if it is sited in full sun or with wind exposure. Variegated cultivars are available.
Quick ID Hints:
- Evergreen shrub with palmately-lobed leaves
- 7-11 serrate lobes; sinuses are entire
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pests or diseases. Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and thrips are occasional problems. Too much moisture in the soil can cause root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Backyard Respite Landscape Collector’s Garden Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Shade Garden at the New Hanover County Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Camouflage'
big splashes of yellow, lime, and green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki' translation: gathering clouds brocade
leaves are patterned with yellowish-gold with irregular dark green borders - 'Spider's Web'
leaves are speckled with a white variegation near the edges of the leaf or the variegation may cover the entire blade - 'Variegata'
variegated leaves near the ends of the lobes in colors of white or yellow
- 'Camouflage'
- 'Camouflage', 'Murakumo Nishiki' translation: gathering clouds brocade, 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Camouflage'
big splashes of yellow, lime, and green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki' translation: gathering clouds brocade
leaves are patterned with yellowish-gold with irregular dark green borders - 'Spider's Web'
leaves are speckled with a white variegation near the edges of the leaf or the variegation may cover the entire blade - 'Variegata'
variegated leaves near the ends of the lobes in colors of white or yellow
- 'Camouflage'
- 'Camouflage', 'Murakumo Nishiki' translation: gathering clouds brocade, 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fatsia
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Korea, Japan to Nansei-shoto
- Distribution:
- China Southeast, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, and the United States
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 19 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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".
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- 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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stout, coarse, prominent leaf scars.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Salt
