Aralia

( ar - AY - lee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This group of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees needs full sun or partial shade and moderate to regular water. These trees will attract birds to your yard. Most are striking, bold-leaved and reach between 25 and 30 feet tall. Small white flowers appear in clusters in midsummer, and are followed by purple berry-like fruits. They are commonly called Spikenard and are native to Asia and the Americas, mostly in mountainous, woody areas. These plants vary greatly in size, from low-growers (about 20 inches tall) to trees (about 66 feet tall).

Aralia Species and Varietals

The genus Aralia is a member of the plant family Araliaceae and includes 68 distinct species. The plant commonly known as Japanese Aralia is not a member of this genus, and is instead classified under the genus Fatsia (Fatsia japonica), though it is a relative of species in this genus. Aralia growing zones vary by species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Aralia californica (Elk Clover, California Aralia, California Spikenard, Mâl-ē-mē')
This herbaceous species is native to California and Oregon, and is a deciduous understory plant that reaches between 6.5 and 10 feet tall when mature. Leaves are green, and umbelliform flower infloresences hold greenish-white blooms. These plants are very common in the San Francisco Bay Area and similar climates.

Aralia cordata (Herbal Aralia, Udo, Japanese Spikenard, Mountain Asparagus)
These plants grow on sloped areas in woods, and are native to Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, and eastern China. It is widely grown as a food crop in Japan, where new shoots that emerge each spring are blanched and eaten as a vegetable. These plants are also cultivated as ornamentals, producing beautiful green foliage on a 4-6 foot tall plant. Flowers are white and bloom in late summertime. These plants can be grown in either shade or sun, and can yield for 6 years or more. Varietal 'Sun King' has chartreuse-golden foliage.

Aralia elata (Aralia chinensis) (Angelica Tree)
Grows best in zones 1-10 and 14-24, and is native to Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. Moderately spiny; Leaves reach 3 feet long and are divided and toothed. Variety 'Aureoovariegata' has leaves bordered in gold, and variety 'Variegata' has leaves edged with cream-white.

Aralia hispida (Bristly Sarsaparilla)
This species of Aralia is native to eastern North America, and grows well in dry sandy soils. These bloom in June and July, and die back to the ground each year to an underground rhizome. Fruits that follow flowers are dark and rounded, looking a bit like blueberries.

Aralia nudicaulis (Wild Sarsaparilla, False Sarsaparilla, Shot Bush, Small Spikenard, Wild Liquorice, Rabbit Root, Fool's Sang)
This species of Aralia is native to northern and eastern areas in North America. These perennial plants have creeping underground stems and produce scapes that reach about 2 feet tall each growing season. Flowers bloom May through June, followed by purple-black edible berries that ripen just after leaves go dormant in summertime. Berries have a spicy-sweet taste.

Aralia racemosa (American Spikenard, Small Spikenard, Indian Root, Spice Berry, Spignet, Life-of-Man, Petty Morel)
This ornamental species is native to the United States and Canada, and is a herbaceous understory plant that reaches between 3 and 7 feet tall when mature. Prefers to grow in shade.

Aralia spinosa (Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick, Angelica-Tree, Prickly Elder, Prickly Ash)
Grows best in zones 3-9 and 14-24; native to the Eastern United States. Sprouts several spiny stems and has spiny leaf midribs. Tropical looking but hardy, with a coarse winter appearance. Foliage is fragrant and flowers are creamy-white, blooming in late summertime. Fruits are purple-black berries.

Caring for and pruning Aralia Trees

Plant your Aralia in a spot in the garden that receives bright indirect light or full to partial shade. These plants are normally understory plants, and do not commonly receive direct sun. If they will be getting some direct sun during the day, early morning sun is preferable to late afternoon sun, which can scorch their delicate herbaceous leaves. They prefer rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of added organic material. Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the plant's active growing seasons. Waterings can be reduced during the winter months to avoid rotting out the underground storage root when growth slows down. Avoid providing overhead water for these plants, as doing so can increase the odds they will develop a fungal disease. These plants appreciate high humidity, and need protection from frost conditions. After planting, apply a layer of mulch 2-3 inches thick to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature. Mulching will also help suppress weed growth around the base of the plant.

These plants do not need much in the way of fertilizing, unless they are grown in particularly poor soil. If you notice your plant is struggling, fertilize in springtime just before new growth begins with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing; this will cause the plant to push out excessive foliage growth at the expense of overall plant health. Prune your Aralia in late winter or early springtime before new growth emerges for the year. Use clean, sharp pruning tools to limit disease transmission between plants. Prune to remove dead or damaged branches, or to promote a bushier habit. In wintertime, make sure to protect your outdoor Aralia plants by covering them with burlap or frost cloth during cold periods 

Harvesting Aralia
If you are growing an edible species of Aralia (make sure to check and verify before consuming any plant parts), you can harvest the plant as a crop. The two species Aralia racemosa and Aralia cordata are both commonly cultivated and consumed. Plant parts that are harvested for consumption from these species include the berries, which are commonly called Spikenard Berries, roots, and young stems commonly called Udo. The berries are said to be semi sweet and somewhat bitter, harvested in late summer to early fall. They are not entirely palatable o their own when eaten fresh, and contain pesky seeds that will need to be spit out. The berries are more commonly used to make juices, jellies, and dried fruit leathers.

Udo (harvested from Aralia cordata plants) is a very productive crop plant to grow in the garden, and is also called Mountain Asparagus. Shoots are harvested in springtime, cut from the plant and stored with their cut bases either in water or covered with a wet towel and placed in the refrigerator. The taste is said to be asparagus-like and citrusy. The shoots can be cut and fried as tempura, boiled and dressed with a mayonnaise sauce, or sautéed with oils and spices. They are also commonly added to miso soup recipes. For those with very shady gardens, Aralia cordata plants are a great option for growing vegetable crops. The roots of these plants are also used to create root beer as a substitute for Sarasaparilla.

Propagation

Aralia plants can be propagated by using cuttings, from seed or through division. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. 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. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Aralia by Cutting
  1. 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. You'll be harvesting a softwood cutting, which should still have green wood. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 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 Aralia by Seed
  1. 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 pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seeds on Aralia plants are held within the fruiting bodies, and will need to be removed from the flesh. Once the berries are fully ripe (they will darken to almost black), they can be removed from the plant and placed in a paper bag. Once you are ready to work with them, remove the berries from their attachments. The berries can either be cut or smashed to remove the seeds. Rinse seeds to remove any extra flesh, and set them out in a cool, dark dry place to dry.
  3. Before sowing, the seeds need to undergo a stratification treatment. Place the seeds in a bag with some moistened peat moss or horticultural sand, seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator. Leave for about four weeks, then remove from the refrigerator and set the seeds out to dry. Sow as many seeds as possible, as many of them will not germinate or grow into viable plants.
  4. 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 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 7-14 days 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.
  5. 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 temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Aralia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in late winter or spring just before the plant comes out of dormancy, and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick section with a few nodes.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Aralia seeds are contained inside of the dark berries produced by the plants. These fruits are bird favorites, so the fruiting parts of the plant may need to be protected with mesh to allow for harvesting seeds for propagation.
Aralia seeds are very small, hard, and are dark brown to black.
The roots (picture B) can be divided to produce more plants.

Problems and Pests

Aralia plants are susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
  • ​Spider Mites
  • Aphids
  • Scale Insects
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Root Rot
  • Mealybugs
  • Slugs and Snails
  • Leaf Spot
For more information on these issues and pests, see the following links:
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Gallery

Aralia cordata 'Sun King', with its beautiful chartreuse to golden-yellow foliage.
These shrubs can be used to add depth to landscapes.
Aralia spinosa can be trimmed into a small tree with a beautiful canopy.

Videos

All about Aralia cordata.
Check out the beautifully-colored variety of Aralia cordata 'Sun King'.
Japanese and American Spikenard.
How to care for Aralia cordata 'Sun King'.

Resources

Wikipedia: Aralia
Growing and Eating Udo - Aralia cordata
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 163, Aralia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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