Glossy-Leaved 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
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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 Planting Collector’s Garden Backyard Respite Landscape Shade (Medium) Garden - Winter at the NHC Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Camouflage
Big splashes of yellow-green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade'
- 'Spider's Web'
Variegated leaves - 'Variegata'
Variegated leaves
- Camouflage
- Camouflage, 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:






























- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Camouflage
Big splashes of yellow-green variegation - 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade'
- 'Spider's Web'
Variegated leaves - 'Variegata'
Variegated leaves
- Camouflage
- Camouflage, 'Murakumo Nishiki Gathering Clouds Brocade', 'Spider's Web', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- 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, 1/4".
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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.
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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
- Patio
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Salt