Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese aralia is an shrub from South Korea and Japan, grown in shady U.S. gardens and as a houseplant. Its large, glossy leaves are deeply divided into sections. Rounded clusters of cream-white flowers appear in fall, followed by black fruit in winter.

Appearance

Appearance: Each glossy, leathery leaf can reach about 18 in (46 cm) across and is deeply divided into 7–11 toothed sections.
Growth form: It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree, usually about 6–19.5 ft (1.8–5.9 m) tall in cultivation.
Flowering time: In U.S. landscapes it blooms in fall, with small cream-white flowers held in rounded clusters.
Fruit: Small round fruits turn from green to black and are most noticeable in winter.

Look-alikes

castor beanRicinus communis

Castor bean has red, green, or purple stems and round spiny seed capsules. Japanese aralia is a woody evergreen with cream-white fall flowers and smooth black fruit.

Why they get mixed upBoth have very large, glossy, palm-shaped leaves.

umbrella treeHeptapleurum actinophyllum

Umbrella tree has 5–18 separate leaf parts, each on a small stalk, spreading from one point. Japanese aralia has one continuous leaf deeply cut into sections.

Why they get mixed upBoth are glossy tropical-looking houseplants in the ivy family.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: shade gardens
sheltered patios
indoor containers
Range: It is native to South Korea and Japan and is grown as a landscape or houseplant in the United States.
Preferred conditions: It grows best in part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. Outdoor plants need shelter from strong sun and wind.

Growing it

Care: Outdoors, it grows in 7b–10b. plants are available, and container plants can be grown indoors.
Propagation: Plants can be propagated from seed, stem cuttings, or division.

Name and classification

About the name: Tree ivy, × Fatshedera lizei, is a separate garden hybrid of Japanese aralia and English ivy.
Varieties and forms: Cultivars such as 'Spider's Web' and 'Variegata' have cream or white markings on the leaves.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Despite its common name, Japanese aralia is not a true aralia.

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