Japanese Aralia Plant Care

Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) belongs to the Araliaceae family within the Fatsia genus. Japanese Aralia is native to southern Japan and southern Korea. Japanese Aralia is also known as Fatsia, False Castor Oil Plant.

Japanese Aralia displays a large, architectural shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Japanese Aralia produces creamy white, spherical clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese Aralia every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Japanese Aralia thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Japanese Aralia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Fatsia japonica tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Japanese Aralia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Aralia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Japanese Aralia every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to low light and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Japanese Aralia is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Japanese Aralia can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Japanese Aralia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Japanese Aralia is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Japanese Aralia can be propagated through stem cuttings, division.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Japanese Aralia is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Japanese Aralia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Japanese Aralia is native to southern Japan and southern Korea.