Fatsia japonica

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Plant
ID 9 Fatsia japonica
Botanic Name Fatsia japonica
Common Name Fatsia, Japanese Aralia, Glossy-leaved Paper Plant
Family Name Araliaceae
Cultivars 'Variegata'
Origin Japan, East Asia, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Shrub
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 2
Growth Habit Bun-shape Growth Rate Medium
Height 2 - 3 m (7 - 10 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This suckering shrub is upright with cane like stems with spreading foliage that forms an open rounded crown. It has glossy green lobed leaves and the small creamy white flowers appear in a dense cluster during late summer followed by black fruit.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Palmately lobed
The large leathery glossy dark green deeply palmate leaves are up to 400 mm (16 in) long and have 7 to 9 lobes. The leaves have a prominent mid vein and the underside is paler green. The base is cordate, the cylindrical petiole is up to 300 mm long
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Serrate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 300 - 400 mm ( 11.8 - 15.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Apetalous
The small petal-less white flowers have 5-prominent exserted stamens and a long pedestal. They are arranged in umbles on a large branch panicle up to 500 mm (20 in) wide.
Inflorescence Umbel
Colour Green - cream
Size 2 - 4 mm ( 0.1 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Drupe Additional Information
Colour Black
The small black fleshy fruit contains numerous viable seeds that often self-sow, making the plant a weed problem in warmer climates.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 6 - 8 mm ( 0.2 - 0.3 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moist soil with added organic matter
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, glasshouse conditions for cool climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Semi-shade to full sun, open position, wind, frost tender, drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Spider mite, scale insect usually on indoor plants
Fertiliser Mulch during spring, shallow rooted, keep moist
Pruning Light pruning after flowering, remove weak and old stems
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Japanese Aralia is grown for its large lobed leaves and its spreading habit. It is planted in small tropical or Japanese gardens along borders as a low screen or in moist gullies and used around a water features for a tropical effect.
Sow fresh seed during spring or autumn in situ or in a container with the temperature is maintained at 16 to 20 C.
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