Fatsia

( FAT - see - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen shrubs, commonly called Japanese Aralia, Paperplant or False Castor Oil Plant, includes species native to Korea,. Taiwan and Japan. Plants produce large green leaves, and grow moderately quickly to 5-8 feet tall and just as wide. Creamy white flowers appear in round clusters in fall and wintertime and are followed by small black fruits in spring. This shrub provides year-round greenery to shaded entryways, patios, and covered pathways, adding a somewhat tropical look to gardens. Take care when planting these shrubs, as the milky sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Fatsia Species and Varietals

The genus Fatsia, which is a member of the plant family Araliaceae, includes just three species. The genus name is derived from an approximation of the Japanese word for eight (hachi), referring to the 8-lobed leaves. Fatsia plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7b-10 or Sunset growing zones 4-9, 14-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Fatsia japonica (Fatsi, Paper Plant, Paperplant, False Castor Oil Plant, Eight Fingers, Japanese Aralia, 八つ手)
This species is native to southern areas of Japan and Korea, and forms an evergreen shrub to up to between 3 and 17 feet tall when mature. IT produces spirally-arranged large green glossy leaves on sparsely branched stems. Flowers are small and white, held in dense terminal inflorescences, typically above foliage. They bloom in late fall to early winter in the plant's native range. Small black fruits follow in springtime. This species is considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Annelise'
With yellow-variegated foliage.

'Aurea'
A rare form with golden variegation in foliage.

'Camouflage'
With dramatic splashes of yellow, lime and green.

'Green Fingers'
With lush green foliage.

'Murakumo Nishiki'
Variegated foliage with yellow-gold centers and irregular margins.

'Moseri'
Compact habit.

'Spider's Web'
Heavily speckled leaves that are edged in white.

'Variegata'
Leaves edged in golden yellow to creamy white.

Fatsia polycarpa (Many-Fruited Aralia)
Many-Fruited Aralia is native to Taiwan and is considered a threatened species due to habitat loss. Individual plants reach up to 13 feet tall and 8 feet wide when mature. Foliage is evergreen and glossy, and individual leaves can reach up to a foot across. Spherical clusters of cream to whitish flowers bloom in wintertime and are followed by black fruits in spring.

Caring for Fatsia

Take care when planting these shrubs, as the milky sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Plant Fatsia in a space in the landscape that receives full shade. Protect from harsh, afternoon sun and high winds, which can dry out and damage plant leaves and stems. When planting, sit the top of the root ball about 1-2 inches above the soil surface. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Lessen waterings in wintertime when plants are dormant, but do not allow soil to dry out completely. Mist around plants or keep them near water features to maintain a moderate to high humidity.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Prune annually to keep a bushy habit; cut the entire plant to the ground in late wintertime before new spring growth begins. Another pruning option is to remove a third of the oldest stems every year. Leaf stems that are reaching beyond the shape of the shrub can be pruned off at any time during the growing season. These plants are long-lived and hardy, typically surviving in the landscape for between 10 and 40 years before needing to be replaced. These plants reach maturity in 3 to 5 years.

Caring for Fatsia in Containers
Fatsia shrubs do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Mature Fatshedera plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. To encourage more branching and a bushier structure, pinch back new growth. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Move plants indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caring for Fatsia Indoors
Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite. Place the container in a space that receives bright, indirect light and is sheltered from any strong drafts (keep away from vents and air conditioners). They like well-draining soil that is kept moist. Avoid overwatering indoor plants, and ensure that the temperature is not getting too warm (especially if the plant is grown by a sunny window). These plants prefer to be in a space that remains between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist plants every so often to maintain a moderate humidity. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Fatsia, or Japanese Aralia, can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. Indoor plants rarely flower, so it is best to propagate these via the cutting method. To propagate your Japanese Aralia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Fatsia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Fatsia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a bowl of water, a strainer, a paper towel, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds are contained in the berries produced by these plants in springtime. Wait until late spring, when the fruits have begun to dry and fall off the plant. Cut fruit clusters off the plant and place them in a paper bag, allowing them to dry out more. Then, remove the seeds from the fruits, place them in a bowl of water, and crush them to release the seeds from inside. Place the seeds in a fine strainer and rinse them, then dry them on a paper towel. Once the seeds are dried, they can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place until you are ready to sow them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area (at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit) that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 4-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed and average temperatures reach at least 70 degrees), when you can transplant it to its new home in your garden.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Fatsia shrubs are relatively pest- and disease-free, though they do suffer from the following common garden issues: