Fatsia Fatsia japonica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aralia japonica
- Aralia sieboldii
- Phonetic Spelling
- FAT-see-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Fatsia is a semi-dense, broadleaf, evergreen shrub or small tree that has the appearance of tropical foliage. It is a member of the aralia family (Araliaceae) and is native to Japan and Korea. The species epithet is Latin for “Japanese.”
The plant grows best in acidic, moist, well-drained, humus-rich, fertile 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.
Fatsia has a rounded and spreading and, at maturity, reaches a height of 19 feet. This plant can also be grown as a houseplant or conservatory plant. Potted specimens can be placed on a shady patio in the summer. It also grows well as an outdoor landscape plant. Outside, the leaves will brown if it is sited in full sun or with wind exposure. It is also vulnerable to deer damage. Fatsia blooms in autumn, and fruits ripen in mid- to late winter. Variegated cultivars are available. Fatsia is one parent of the intergeneric hybrid with English ivy, xFatshedera lizei.
This plant can be used in winter gardens or Asian gardens, or in sensory gardens, where its large, coarse leaves can be appreciated up close. It is also good in shade gardens or cutting gardens.
Quick ID Hints:
- Evergreen shrub with large, palmately-lobed leaves
- 7 to 11 serrated lobes per leaf
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pests or diseases. Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale and thrips are occasional problems on indoor plants. 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:
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- 'Camouflage'
big splashes of yellow, lime, and green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki'
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', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Camouflage'
big splashes of yellow, lime, and green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki'
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', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fatsia
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- 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
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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, ¼ inch in diameter.
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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 to 1¼" 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
- Orbicular
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Make excellent, long-lasting cut foliage for flower arrangements. Alternate, simple, deeply palmately lobed (7 to 11 lobes), cordate, coriaceous, glossy dark green; lobes oblong-elliptic, acuminate, serrate. The leaf blade may be up to 18 inches in diameter
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
-
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stout, coarse, prominent leaf scars.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Salt
