fatsia japonica Care How To Grow Plant Care Growing Guide 2023
Fatsia japonica, or Aralia, is one of the most resistant and popular plants that can be kept outdoors and indoors. Its rusticity or resistance has popularly given it a place in doorways and patios, thanks to its ability to develop and survive with little care. If you want to learn about the care of Fatsia japonica or Aralia, keep reading us in this EcologíaVerde article. You may also be interested in: Loquat tree: care
Index
- Characteristics of Fatsia japonica
- Location of Fatsia japonica
- Temperature for Fatsia japonica
- Fatsia japonica irrigation
- Substrate for Fatsia japonica
- Fertilizer for Fatsia japonica
- Other care for Fatsia japonica
Characteristics of Fatsia japonica
Its popular name is Aralia, although the scientific name is Fatsia japonica. It is a plant of the Araliaceae family, which, as its name suggests, comes from Japan. It is worth mentioning that it is common to call the entire genus Aralia, which has about 50 species, although today, we focus on Fatsia japonica.
It is a perennial shrub that, in ideal conditions, can reach up to 5 meters in height, with striking lobed and palmate leaves up to 45 cm in diameter. Do not worry about its size because, as you can imagine, grown in a pot and indoors, this plant grows much less.
Its flowering gives rise to umbrellas of greenish-white flowers, very small and largely reminiscent of those of ivy due to how inconspicuous or showy they are. These, in turn, give rise to the fruits and dark and rounded berries. Flowering usually occurs in autumn, although it is more difficult to see when growing indoors.
Location of Fatsia japonica
The Aralia needs good lighting but does not tolerate direct exposure to the high-intensity sun. The idea is to find a well-lit room to place it in a semi-shade or receive light from a window, always filtered by a curtain. Outdoors can be grown in bushy areas but always under the shade of trees or other protection.
If your Aralia has variegated leaves, you should ensure that the plant receives some direct light during the first hours of the day when the sun is less intense. In the case of standard varieties, they will do well in semi-shade and even in the shade if there is no other option.
Temperature for Fatsia japonica
The ideal temperature for this plant is between 16ºC and 20ºC. If you have it indoors, try not to place it too close to heat sources that do not allow the plant to go into vegetative rest; while outdoors, try to keep the soil dry if the temperature drops below 10ºC, or the roots will suffer.
Fatsia japonica irrigation
The large leaves of the Aralia require a good water supply to maintain them, so the plant needs frequent watering, especially during the warm spring and summer months. It is best not to let the substrate dry out this season, keeping a specific humidity level. Of course, this should never be confused with flooding the substrate, something that very few plants tolerate and would damage your Aralia. We recommend you read this other post to learn when to water plants.
The aralia or Fatsia japonica also needs a certain level of environmental humidity. Since homes are usually dry places, it is necessary to provide this contribution somehow. The most comfortable thing is to place the pot on a plate with water, where we have established enough stones or pebbles so that the bank remains above the water level. Thus, as it evaporates naturally, the plant will receive the moisture it needs.
On the other hand, it is very convenient to regularly clean the leaves of the Aralia with a damp cloth in water at room temperature so that we free them of accumulated dust and dirt, and they will be able to absorb environmental humidity and receive the light they need well. Here we explain how to clean the leaves of plants.
Substrate for Fatsia japonica
The Aralia is not fussy about the soil; all it needs is for it to provide adequate drainage. In a pot, the universal substrate will generally be sufficient, while in the garden, you can plant it almost anywhere that does not have too much clay soil.
fatsia japonica Care How To Grow Plant Care Growing Guide 2023
Suppose you want to ensure your Aralia the best care. In that case, you can always prepare a mixture of universal substrate for seedlings by mixing peat, earthworm humus, and coconut fiber in equal parts and then adding a handful of vermiculite and another of perlite.
Fertilizer for Fatsia japonica
The Aralia only needs fertilizer when it is most active during the warm months. Add one or two centimeters of organic fertilizer, such as compost or worm castings, once every 20 days during spring and summer, which is the most ecological way to fertilize your plant.
Other care for Fatsia japonica
You can prune the aralia plant in early spring, as soon as the cold passes, if you want to control its growth to maintain a more compact shape.
If the plant lacks enough humidity or good ventilation, it may be attacked by mites or mealybugs. Be vigilant and remove them by hand if the pest is mild or with a homemade insecticide if more is needed.
If you want to read more articles similar to Fatsia japonica: care, we recommend you visit our Cultivation and plant care category.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How tall does the Japanese aralia grow?
Moderate growth; reaches 5 to 8 feet tall and wide. Aralia is a perfect foundation plant that provides rich green background foliage in partially shaded landscapes. Its large exotic leaves belie its ability to withstand a few touches of frost.
How Much Water Does a Japanese Aralia Need?
Watering Japanese Aralia Never let the soil dry out. As a general rule of thumb, water more during hot seasons and less during cool seasons. Once a day or every other day should be abundant during spring and summer. Once a week or every two weeks should be done in winter.
Is the Japanese aralia perennial?
Japanese Aralia – Fatsia japonica – 1 Gallon – Shrub – Perennials – Shade Loving | Direct Gardener.
Does Fatsia like the sun or the shade?
Fatsia japonica is an evergreen shrub that grows to about 2.5m tall and has exotic and tropical-looking leaves. It prefers a shady position and will not thrive in full sun. They are vigorous-growing plants and recover well even if treated poorly.
How much sun can Fatsia take?
Fatsia loves sunny days and will grow to epic proportions when she gets 6+ hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day, but resist the urge to bathe her in direct sunlight, as this could be a fatal move!
Can a Fatsia be a houseplant?
It is an evergreen shrub and a reasonably hardy and tolerant plant in outdoor gardens, but Fatsia can also be grown indoors. Your indoor potted Fatsia may not have flowers, but you will still be able to enjoy the exotic foliage if given a proper indoor culture.
Is Fatsia japonica an indoor or outdoor plant?
Fatsia japonica, as the name of the species suggests, is native to Japan and also to Korea. It is an evergreen shrub and is a relatively hardy and tolerant plant in outdoor gardens, but Fatsia can also be grown indoors.
How do you take care of a fatsia japonica on the outside?
Plant in spring in moist, well-drained, fertile soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Keep well watered initially as the plant settles in, and then water only in dry conditions. Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
Why are my fatsia leaves turning yellow?
The reason the leaves are turning yellow is probably that your Fatsia is in too much sun. Exposing these shade-lovers to any sun other than early morning results in chronically yellow leaves.
Why is my Fatsia withering?
The main reason your Fatsia drops its leaves is overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering the plant again. Consider repotting your Fatsia to a new pot with dirt with high drainage properties if you’re having difficulty finding the right balance.
How do you take care of a fatsia japonica on the outside?
Plant in spring in moist, well-drained, fertile soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Keep well watered initially as the plant settles in, and then water only in dry conditions. Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
Why are my fatsia leaves turning yellow?
The reason the leaves are turning yellow is probably that your Fatsia is in too much sun. Exposing these shade-lovers to any sun other than early morning results in chronically yellow leaves.
Why is my Fatsia withering?
The main reason your Fatsia drops its leaves is overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering the plant again. Consider repotting your Fatsia to a new pot with dirt with high drainage properties if you’re having difficulty finding the right balance.
How do you take care of a fatsia japonica on the outside?
Plant in spring in moist, well-drained, fertile soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Keep well watered initially as the plant settles in, and then water only in dry conditions. Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
Why are my fatsia leaves turning yellow?
The reason the leaves are turning yellow is probably that your Fatsia is in too much sun. Exposing these shade-lovers to any sun other than early morning results in chronically yellow leaves.
Why is my Fatsia withering?
The main reason your Fatsia drops its leaves is overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering the plant again. Consider repotting your Fatsia to a new pot with dirt with high drainage properties if you’re having difficulty finding the right balance.
How do you take care of a fatsia japonica on the outside?
Plant in spring in moist, well-drained, fertile soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Keep well watered initially as the plant settles in, and then water only in dry conditions. Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
fatsia japonica Care How To Grow Plant Care Growing Guide 2023
Why are my fatsia leaves turning yellow?
The reason the leaves are turning yellow is probably that your Fatsia is in too much sun. Exposing these shade-lovers to any sun other than early morning results in chronically yellow leaves.
Why is my Fatsia withering?
The main reason your Fatsia drops its leaves is overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering the plant again. Consider repotting your Fatsia to a new pot with dirt with high drainage properties if you’re having difficulty finding the right balance.
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fatsia japonica Care How To Grow Plant Care Growing Guide 2023