Fatsia japonica

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese aralia

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Japanese aralia RHS
Japanese aralia RHS
Japanese aralia RHS 1999
Japanese aralia RHS

Other common names

castor oil plant, fatsi, fig-leaf palm, glossy-leaved paper plant

Synonyms

Aralia sieboldii K. Koch
Aralia sieboldii de Vriese
Aralia japonica

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Shrubs
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A medium-sized evergreen shrub of open, spreading habit, with palmately-lobed leaves to 45cm in width and clusters of small, white, globose flowers followed by small, black fruits

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Suckering
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Fatsia are evergreen shrubs with stout, sparsely branched stems bearing large, leathery, palmately lobed leaves and small white flowers in terminal compound umbels, followed by small black fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Japan, South Korea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; can tolerate full shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, thrips and mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot and honey fungus