Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
- An evergreen shrub native to the sub-tropic areas of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- Due to climate needs, Fatsia japonica is more commonly found as a houseplant rather than a landscape plant in the US
- Fatsia japonica likes bright filtered light. Direct sun can cause major leaf burn. If you put your Fatsia outside during the summer, make sure it's in a shaded spot.
- Err on the side of dryness when determining whether to water. The leaves can even begin to droop right before watering. Over-watering can cause yellow leaves, leaf drop, and root rot.
- Keep your fatsia plant small and manageable or large and elegant with regular aggressive pruning in the spring. Pinch back the growing tips to encourage the plant to branch out and become bushier.
- Fatsia japonica is a non-toxic plant.
- Fatsia japonica "Spiderweb" is the variegated cultivar.
