Fatsia japonica

Common Names

Japanese Aralia, Paper Plant, Fatsia, Glossy-Leaf Paper Plant, Umbrella Plant, False Castor Oil Plant, Fig-leaf Palm, Formosa Rice Tree

Summary

Japanese aralia is an evergreen shrub native to Japan and Korea, with large glossy, palmately lobed leaves (7–11 lobes) that create a bold tropical look and an upright habit with multi‑trunk stems, typically reaching about 6–12 ft tall and wide. It grows best in shade or dappled shade, in moist, well‑drained acidic soil, and is hardy in USDA zones 7b–10b. Maintenance is low, with pruning to shape or rejuvenate and propagation by seeds or cuttings. Commonly used as a specimen, screen, hedge, or container plant in shaded gardens. Pests include aphids, scale, mealybugs, and spider mites, with powdery mildew possible in high humidity.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-13 feet

Spread

6-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with slight acidity (pH 6.0–7.5)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that is moist but not waterlogged

Soil pH

6.0-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change (stays green)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate to fast growth, about 8–12 inches per year, slower in full sun and dry soil, faster in shade with rich, moist soil

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts other pollinators, attracts birds