Japanese aralia
Fatsia japonica · Family Araliaceae
Also known as: fatsia, false castor oil plant, paperplant
- Light
- Partial shade to bright indirect
- Watering
- Every 5 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pet-safe
- No, keep it away from cats and dogs
Care
Where to put it
A cool hallway, porch or shady patio.
Light
Partial shade to bright indirect light. Hot sun scorches the leaves.
Watering
Keep the compost lightly moist in summer, a little drier in winter.
About the plant
The Japanese aralia has large, glossy leaves cut like an open hand. It is cold-tolerant and copes well with partial shade. In a pot it forms a shrub of 1 to 1.5 metres with a tropical look.
Origin
Native to southern Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, in coastal forests.
What it likes
- Partial shade or indirect light
- A cool spot
- Moist, free-draining compost
What it dislikes
- Direct sun
- Muggy heat
- Waterlogging
Did you know?
It was crossed with ivy in France in 1910, producing a rare hybrid between genera, Fatshedera.
