Eleutherococcus

( el - ew - ther - oh - KOK - us )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus is composed of species of thorny shrubs and trees native to eastern Asia. These deciduous shrubs can take sun or shade and any amount of water, making it a great choice for any type of garden. They are commonly known as Eleuthero or Siberian Ginseng, and typically reach up to 8-10 feet tall and just as wide at maturity. Bright green leaves contrast with small white flowers in clusters, sometimes followed by black berries. Use these tough shrubs in urban landscapes as a hedge or screening plant, as a security barrier for their sharp thorns, or as a mass planting. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as some species have sharp spines that can puncture clothing and skin.

eleutherococcus Varietals

The genus Eleutherococcus (formerly known under the name Acanthopanax) is a member of the family Araliaceae and includes 38 species. These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 3-7 or Sunset growing zones 2b-10 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Devil's Bush, Siberian Ginseng, Taiga Root, Eleuthero, Ciwujia, Devil's Shrub, Shigoka, Touch-Me-Not, Wild Pepper, Kan Jang)
This species is native to mountain forests in northeast Asia (Japan, China, and Russia). Individual plants reach up to 6.6 feet tall and grow at a slow rate. Flowers are present in summertime in most habitats, and are followed by black berries. Leaves are green and glossy.

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus (Five-Fingered Aralia, Fiveleaf Aralia)
This species is native to Anhui province in China and is a widely grown introduced species elsewhere. Individual plants typically reach up to 6-8 feet tall at maturity. Leaves on the straight species are green and glossy. Cultivar 'Variegata' (pictured) produces foliage with yellow to cream-colored margins.

Caring for eleutherococcus

Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as some species have sharp spines that can puncture clothing and skin. Plant Eleutherococcus, or Five Finger Aralia, in a space in the landscape that receives partial to full shade; ideally, these shrubs appreciate around 4 hours of sun each day (morning sun is best), but can also get by on reflected or filtered sunlight. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 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 few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

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. The best time to prune these shrubs is in late winter or early springtime before new growth begins for the year. These shrubs can tolerate heavy pruning, shearing, and should be monitored regularly for the emergence of suckers. These slow-growing shrubs reach full maturity in 3-5 years, and typically have a life span of 10-15 years in the landscape.

Caring for Eleutherococcus in Containers
Fiveleaf Aralia shrubs are wonderful 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. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Eleutherococcus shrubs grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. 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

Fiveleaf 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. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Eleutherococcus 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 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 Eleutherococcus 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 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 in September or October. They are contained inside the fruits produced by the shrub. Remove them from their fruits and set them aside in a dark, dry area.
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.
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 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.