Japanese devil's club Plant Care

Japanese devil's club (Oplopanax japonicus) belongs to the Araliaceae family within the Oplopanax genus.

Japanese devil's club displays a large, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Japanese devil's club produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese devil's club 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 devil's club thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Japanese devil's club in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Oplopanax japonicus tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Japanese devil's club prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Japanese devil's club 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 partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Japanese devil's club is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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 devil's club can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 devil's club 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 devil's club is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Japanese devil's club can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to devil's club plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Japanese devil's club 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 devil's club grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Japanese devil's club as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.