Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) Care Indoor, Propagation and common Problems

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) prospers in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Fatsia japonica, also called Paperplant or Glossy-leaf Paper Plant is one of the popular hardy plants which can withstand a wide range of conditions and is ideal for beginners.

The botanical name "Fatsia" is an approximation of the Japanese word for 'eight' in reference to the eight leaf lobes. The leaves are large, deeply lobed and leathery in texture.

Botanical name: Fatsia japonica
Family: Araliaceae
Common names: Japanese Aralia, Paperplant, Glossy-leaf Paper Plant

Origin

Fatsia japonica is native to the tropical regions of southern Japan, southern Korea and Taiwan. Several cultivars of Fatsia japonica have been developed.

Size

Japanese Aralia Plant is an excellent stand alone plant, growing to a height of 4 feet or more. The leaves are spirally-arranged and large about 8-16 inches in width and makes this plant one of the best large-leafed plants for the large spaces.

Air Purifying

Paperplant has been shown to be a good indoor air cleaner, where it effectively removes formaldehyde gas from indoor air.

Varieties

One of the recognized cultivars is Fatsia japonica Variegata commonly called Spider's Web or Spider White which bears variegated leaves. Fatsia japonica has been interbred with Hedera helix (English Ivy) to produce the hybrid xFatshedera lizei (Tree Ivy).

Toxicity

Fatsia japonica is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Japanese Aralia is not toxic to dogs and cats. However, it produces a sticky and resinous sap which has been found to cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Fatsia japonica plants to your collection, you may acquire the plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Japanese Aralia Plant Care Indoors

Japanese Aralia Plant (Fatsia japonica) blossoms in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-26, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Below is a detailed outline of the best growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water your Fatsia japonica thoroughly during the growing period and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist but do allow it to dry out completely.

Make sure that the pot has a draiange hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Light Requirements

Japanese Aralia Plant grows best in medium to bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it may scorch the leaves.

Paperplant is very tolerant and will tolerate lower light conditions but it will grow more slowly. It is considered as one of the best large low light plants for the living room.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth of 15-26⁰C is ideal for Japanese Aralia Plant. The plant prefers a relatively warm temperature during the growing season followed by a relatively cold season.

Fatsia japonica Plant has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant though it can withstand dry air. Mist the leaves frequently and clean them by damp-wiping with a soft cloth.

Potting Mix

Japanese Aralia Plant soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. You may choose from these 16 potting mixes for indoor plants.

Fertilizer

Feed Fatsia japonica with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once every month during the growing season for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Repotting

Repot the young Japanese Aralia Plant annually and the mature plants every two years. The best time to repot is at the beginning of the growing period. Use a pot 1 size larger and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Prune Paperplant at the beginning of the growing season. Cutback the foliage with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to a few inches above the soil level to rejuvenate growth and achieve a more compact and bushy plant. The foliage emenating from the pruning can be used to take stem cuttings for propagation of new plants.

Propagation

Japanese Aralia propagation can be done from seeds or from stem-tip cuttings. Rarely will the plant flower or produce seeds when grown indoors. Propagation by stem-tip cuttings therefore becomes the best option.

Japanese Aralia propagation from stem-tip cuttings

Take a stem-tip cutting about 3 inches long and bearing at least 2-3 leaf nodes and one set of leaves from a healthy Japanese Aralia.

Dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Fill the rooting container with loose, free-draining potting mix. Moisten the soil and make a hole in the moistened rooting soil.

Carefully, while avoiding rubbing off the rooting hormone, insert the cutting in the hole previously made. Lightly firm the soil around the cutting.

Place the set up in a warm humid place until new growth appears. Once the new Japanese Aralia Plant has established, you may begin the normal routine care.

Fatsia japonica Problems with Solutions

Japanese Aralia problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, shrivelled leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Pests

Common pests in Japanese Aralia are mealy bugs, scales, aphids and whiteflies. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Pale and spotted leaves

Underwatering is the cause of pale and spotted in Fatsia japonica. Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants the correctly.

Leaves yellow and dropping

Soggy soil is the cause of yellowing and dropping leaves in Japanese Aralia Plant if the leaves of are wilted and soft. Ascertain that the soil is free-draining, the pot has a drainage hole and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

If the leaves in your Fatsia japonica are brittle, too much heat is the reason for yellowing and dropping leaves. Keep the plant away from hot drafts and ensure that an average warmth of 15-26⁰C is maintained. A temperature that is comfortable for a you is ideal for the plant. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.

Shrivelled leaves

There are two causes of shrivelled leaves in Japanese Aralia Plant. One cause of shrivelled leaves is that the plant has been exposed to too hot sunshine. Shield the plant from hot sun or move it a shadier spot.

The second cause of shrivelled leaves in Fatsia japonica is too dry air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.

Brown and brittle leaf edges

Underwatering is the cause of brown and brittle leaf edges in Fatsia japonica. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to be completely dry.

Tweet

Amazon Associates Disclosure

---

Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.