Overview
Fatsia japonica is a suckering shrub in the genus Fatsia, part of the Araliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Fatsia japonica grows best in partial shade and full shade, and tolerates loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, sub-tropical, patio and container plants and wall side borders. It is native to Japan, Korea and Nansei-shoto.
About
Fatsia japonica, also fatsi, paperplant, false castor oil plant, or Japanese aralia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae, native to southern Japan and southern Korea.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fatsia japonica
About the genus
Fatsia is a small genus of three species of evergreen shrubs in the family Araliaceae native to Korea, southern Japan and Taiwan. They typically have stout, sparsely branched stems bearing spirally-arranged, large leathery, palmately lobed leaves 20–50 cm in width, on a petiole up to 50 cm long, and small creamy-white flowers in dense terminal compound umbels in late autumn or early winter, followed by small black fruit.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Fatsia
- Sunlight
- Partial shade, Full shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Fatsia japonica size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Habit
- Suckering
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants, Wall side borders
- Native to
- Japan, Korea, Nansei-shoto
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Fatsia japonica
- Cultivation
- Prefers sheltered locations with partial to full shade, requires moist but well-drained soil, benefits from mulching and regular watering during dry periods
- Pruning
- Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged stems
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, Division, Removing suckers in spring or summer
- Pest resistance
- Scale insects, Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Leaf spot fungi, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Fatsia japonica?
Prefers sheltered locations with partial to full shade, requires moist but well-drained soil, benefits from mulching and regular watering during dry periods.
Where is the best place to plant Fatsia japonica?
Fatsia japonica prefers partial shade and full shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fatsia japonica need?
Fatsia japonica grows best in loam soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Fatsia japonica?
Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged stems.
Is Fatsia japonica hardy in the UK?
Fatsia japonica has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Fatsia japonica?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, Division, Removing suckers in spring or summer.