Fatsia japonica (Japanese Aralia) Care Indoors, Propagation, Common Problems & Fixes

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

Fatsia japonica also called Paperplant or Glossy-leaf Paper Plant is among popular hardy plants and can withstand a wide range of conditions making it ideal for beginners and seasoned plant parents too.

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 is an excellent bold statement plant, growing to a height of 4 feet or more. The leaves are spirally-arranged and large about 8-16 inches in width.

Air Purifying

Japanese Aralia has been shown to be a good indoor air cleaner, where it effectively removes formaldehyde and benzene 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).

Is Fatsia japonica toxic to pets?

No. 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.

Fatsia japonica benefits

• Low-maintenance: It thrives with minimal care once established.


• Fast-growing & hardy: It can grow 3–6 feet tall indoors with proper care.


• Shade-tolerant: It is one of the best large plants for lower light conditions.


• Large, bold foliage: The big, glossy, hand-shaped leaves create a stunning tropical look.


• Air-purifying: It helps filter toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.

Where to Buy

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

How to Care for Fatsia japonica Indoors

To properly care for Japanese Aralia indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Fatsia japonica requires regular pruning and grooming to keep it neat and thriving. Repotting is needed every 2 years. Below is a detailed outline of the best growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water your Fatsia japonica thoroughly in spring and summer until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Take care not to overwater to prevent rotting and yellowing of leaves.

Reduce watering in fall and winter to keep the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period to avoid wilting and drooping leaves.

Make sure the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

Use tepid (room temperature) water as consistently watering with cold water can result in stunted growth. In addition, ensure the water is chlorine-free to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Light Requirements

Japanese Aralia Plant grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light); position it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching; brown marks on the leaves.

Fatsia japonica is very tolerant and will tolerate lower light conditions but it will grow more slowly. It is one of the favored large, low light plants for the living room for a great first impression.

Too little light will cause the plant to become leggy with pale, sparse growth. Move it to a brighter spot or use grow lights if the natural lighting is not enough.

Give the pot a 90⁰ turn on a monthly basis, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent unbalanced growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Japanese Aralia Plant prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C. Avoid placing it in drafty conditions like AC units, radiators, heating units, open doors, hot air vents, stove and others, as they can dry out the leaves.

Fatsia japonica Plant has no need for high humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, very low humidity can result in brown, crispy leaf tips and edges. To up scale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier.

Potting Soil

Japanese Aralia Plant soil should be a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite or sand (for aeration) is perfect for this plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Fatsia japonica with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once every month in spring and summer for lush growth. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can result in leggy growth.

Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Dry, brown-black leaf tips and a white crust on the soil surface are an indication of a salt buildup in the soil. Every 2-3 months flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drips through the drainage holes. Allow it to run for 5-10 minutes.

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 (spring to early summer).

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 & Grooming

Prune Fatsia japonica 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, bushy plant. The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used to take stem cuttings for propagation of new plants.

Clean the leaves regularly, by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to increase surface area for photosynthesis as well as discourage pests and diseases.

Fatsia japonica Propagation

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

1. Japanese Aralia propagation from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting of about 3-4 inches long from a healthy plant. Make sure it bears at least 2-3 leaf nodes and one set of leaves.


2. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving only the top ones.


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


4. Fill the rooting container with loose, well-drained potting mix.


5. Moisten the soil and make a hole in the center.


6. Carefully, while avoiding rubbing off the rooting hormone, insert 2 inches of the cutting in the hole previously made.


7. Lightly firm the soil around the cutting to keep it upright.


8. Place the set up in a warm humid place under bright indirect light until new growth appears which indicates rooting and should occur in 4–6 weeks.


9. Once the new plant has established, transplant it into a slightly larger pot after which, you may begin the normal routine care.

2. Japanese Aralia propagation from stem cuttings in water

1. With a sharp clean pruning scissors, take a 3-4 inches long stem cutting from a healthy plant. Ensure it bears at least 2-3 leaf nodes and one set of leaves.


2. Strip off the bottom leaves, leaving the top ones only.


3. Coat the cut end of the cutting with a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.


4. Place the cutting in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station, ensure at least one leaf node is covered in water.


5. Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.


6. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit spot until it is well rooted. Roots will develop in 4–6 weeks.


7. When the roots are about 2-3 inches long, transfer the cutting into a small pot in free-draining soil.


8. Keep the soil slightly moist until the plant is well established.


9. Transfer the new plant into a pot one size larger than the current one in well-draining soil and begin routine care.

Fatsia japonica Problems & Solutions

Fatsia japonica problems indoors are yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown and shrivelled leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.

Yellow leaves

The main causes of yellow leaves on Fatsia japonica are too little light, inconsistent watering soggy soil, temperature stress or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain a warmth of 15-26⁰C.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Fatsia japonica are due to underwatering, drafts or pests infestation.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not allow it to dry out completely for a prolonged period.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from hot stoves, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows and others.

Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and take timely control measures.

Brown and shrivelled leaves

Brown and shrivelled leaves on Fatsia japonica are caused by exposure to too hot sunshine, dry air, temperature stress or underwatering.

How to fix it

Too hot sunshine: Use a light curtain to shield the plant from hot sunrays or move it a shadier spot.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors among others.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to be completely dry.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Fatsia japonica are caused by underwatering, low humidity, temperature stress or salts buildup.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to be completely dry.

Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to upscale humidity.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot surfaces, hot air vents, windy doors among others.

Salts buildup: Regularly leach excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.

Pests

Common pests of Japanese Aralia are mealybugs, scales, aphids and whiteflies which are prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. 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.


2. Regularly check the undersides of leaves for pests and wipe them clean with diluted rubbing alcohol.


3. To depress the pests infestations, group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to up humidity.


4. Ensure good air flow to discourage the pests.

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