Fatsia japonica

The native home of Fatsia japonica

Fatsia japonica is native to southern Korea and Japan, including the Nansei Islands.

In its native range it grows as an evergreen subtropical shrub in sheltered woodland and coastal areas.

Long-term care for Fatsia japonica

• Light: Bright indirect light or partial shade suits container plants. Outdoors it also grows in full shade and in sun where soil moisture remains steady.
• Water: Once the top layer begins drying, soak the root ball and let extra water drain. New garden plantings need regular watering while roots settle in.
• Potting mix: Use rich soil or potting mix that keeps some moisture and drains well.
• Hardiness: Established garden plants are hardy to around −15 to −10°C. Shelter the large leaves from cold drying winds and protect container roots during severe frost.
• Indoor temperature: For long-term indoor growth, a bright position around 14–18°C suits the plant well.
• Feeding: Feed container plants while they are growing. A garden plant only needs extra spring feed where soil is poor.
• Repotting: Choose a larger stable pot when the root ball becomes crowded or watering becomes difficult.
• Pruning: Remove damaged leaves at their stalks. Long bare stems can be shortened in spring to encourage branching.

What Fatsia japonica problems look like

• Large leaves split or tear: Strong wind can damage the broad leaves. Move a container to a more sheltered position and remove badly torn leaves once replacements are growing.
• Leaves droop and edges become dry: A dry root ball can cause wilting and crisp edges. Soak the mix if it is dry and check moisture more often afterward.
• Sticky leaves, cottony clusters or raised brown bumps appear: Scale insects, mealybugs or thrips can cause these signs. Inspect the leaves and stems, remove visible pests and keep checking new growth.
• Brown spots spread across several leaves: Wet leaves and weak air movement can encourage leaf spots. Remove badly affected leaves, improve air movement and water the soil directly.
• Lower leaves yellow while the potting mix stays very wet: Persistent wetness can weaken the roots. Improve the pot's drainage and let the top layer dry slightly before watering deeply again.

Fatsia japonica is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

How did Fatsia japonica get its name?

Fatsia comes from an older rendering of a Japanese name for Fatsia japonica. The epithet japonica means “of Japan”.

Joseph Decaisne and Jules Émile Planchon established the genus Fatsia in 1854 in Revue Horticole (Paris), series 4, volume 3, page 105.

Carl Peter Thunberg first described it as Aralia japonica in 1780 in Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis, series 2, volume 3, page 207. Joseph Decaisne and Jules Émile Planchon later placed it in Fatsia as Fatsia japonica in 1854 in Revue Horticole (Paris), series 4, volume 3, page 105.