How to Plant and Grow Japanese Aralia

Japanese aralia, also called the glossy-leaved paper plant, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that adds a bold tropical feel to cool, shady landscapes. It makes an excellent foundation planting for trees or large shrubs. Its glossy, dark-green, hand-shaped leaves—which can measure as large as 14 inches across—are particularly striking when illuminated with landscape lighting at night.

Each fall, the Japanese aralia sends up flower stalks decorated with creamy flowers followed by (non-edible) black berries that attract birds.

Hardy in Zones 8 through 10, Japanese aralia tolerates a light frost. It also grows well in containers. So, if you live in an area where it is not hardy, you can grow it as a houseplant and bring it outside during the summer months. Plants grown indoors rarely flower but have a showstopping presence nonetheless. 

Where to Plant Japanese Aralia

Japanese aralia flourishes in full shade where many other plants would languish. Plant it in moist, well-draining soil with a neutral pH in a spot where it will be protected from full sunlight and strong winds (as its large leaves can be easily damaged).

It can grow to substantial heights (sometimes as tall as 15 feet and as wide as 10 feet), but you can manage its growth by cutting back the largest, oldest stems each year.

When planted in a container or used as a houseplant, Japanese aralia can be kept smaller but still create a striking display, thanks to its showy leaves and bold texture.

How and When to Plant Japanese Aralia

Plant Japanese aralia starts in spring when the soil is warm. You can also plant in the fall if the soil is still warm, but planting in the spring allows more time for the roots to get established before frosty
temperatures roll in.

Dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball and place the plant in the center. Add some organic fertilizer or fish, blood, and bone fertilizer to the soil as you backfill around the roots. If you are planting multiple plants, give them plenty of space to grow freely (at least 3 to 6 feet apart). Tamp down the soil firmly and water thoroughly.

It’s important to note that Japanese aralia is often grown and sold as an indoor plant. So, if you have purchased your starts from a nursery and plan to plant them outside, you may need to harden your plants off for a few days with increasingly prolonged exposure to outdoor temperatures.

Japanese Aralia Care Tips

Japanese aralia is a fast-growing, low-maintenance shrub that blooms in late fall or winter. It is not particularly finicky about soil, but can easily be damaged from too much sun exposure or strong winds.

Light

Japanese aralia grows well in part or full shade. Avoid planting it in areas that receive afternoon sun as its leaves will scorch in prolonged direct sun.

Soil and Water

Japanese aralia is not particular about soil but will be happiest in rich, moist soil that is well-drained. If you are growing yours in a container, choose a high-quality, humus-rich potting mix.

Water your Japanese aralia plants deeply and regularly during the first growing season to promote a robust root system. Avoid over-watering or watering above foliage as both could encourage rot.

As the plant continues to grow, keep the soil moist, but not soggy. You may need to increase the frequency of watering during warmer months and cut back during colder months. Japanese aralia tends to need a lot of water to keep its lush leaves nourished and hydrated.

Temperature and Humidity

Japanese aralia prefers cool temperatures between 60- and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If outdoor temperatures dip below 45 degrees, the plant may sustain frost damage but should recover. You can remove any dead foliage but leave the stalks until spring, when new growth begins to emerge.

Container-grown plants can benefit from a period of winter dormancy with less watering and exposure to temperatures that range from 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring them inside (perhaps to an unheated garage), where they will be cool but protected from frost.

Transition your container-grown plants back outside in spring as soon as nighttime temperatures are regularly above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the plant in a location that receives shade all day or an area that gets just a few hours of morning sun.

Both outdoor and indoor-grown Japanese aralia are unlikely to require supplemental humidity if their environmental air is above 40% humidity.

Fertilizer

Feed your outdoor Japanese aralia with a slow-release fertilizer designed for trees and shrubs (such as a 12-6-6) in the spring and summer.

Indoor-grown Japanese aralia can benefit from twice-monthly applications of a diluted liquid fertilizer throughout spring and summer. Cut back feedings to once a month in the fall and withhold during winter months.

Pruning

Japanese aralia doesn't usually require pruning, but you can remove old, faded foliage to maintain a tidy appearance. If you plan to prune for this reason, do so in the spring.

You can also control the size and shape of your Japanese aralia by cutting it back in late winter or early spring to keep the growth dense. Snip the branches (where you don't want the plant to grow) with sharp shears just above the leaf nodes. This will encourage bushier growth.

Alternatively, you can encourage tall growth and better blooms by cutting back one-third of the branches to ground level in the late winter or early spring. Prioritize cutting back the oldest, heaviest branches or those that are misshapen.

Potting and Repotting

Japanese aralia can grow quite large, so when choosing a container for your new plant, selecting a heavy-bottomed one is smart. Otherwise, your plant may become too top-heavy. You can start with a container approximately 12 to 18 inches in diameter but plan to repot it every one to two years as the plant grows. In the meantime, watch for signs of your plant outgrowing its pot—like stressed leaves or roots growing through drainage holes.

When it’s time to repot, look for a new container that is just a couple of inches larger than the last one. Moving your plant to a much larger container can cause shock and distress. Water the plant thoroughly in the spring and ease it out of its old pot. Fill the new pot partially with humus-rich potting soil, place the plant, and then fill in with more soil, tamping down as you go.

Pests and Problems

Japanese aralia shrubs aren’t plagued by many diseases or pests, but they are occasionally susceptible to aphids, scale, and mealybugs. They can also have issues with spider mites—especially when exposed to too much sun or overly dry conditions.

Like many plants that prefer well-draining soil, Japanese aralia can suffer from rot and fungal issues if kept too moist. Make sure your plants have plenty of air circulation, and avoid watering them from overhead.

How to Propagate Japanese Aralia

You can propagate Japanese aralia from cuttings or seeds. Propagating from seeds is slightly easier but the resulting plant may not look or perform the same as the parent plant.

Propagating from Seed

You can collect seeds from the berries that form on the Japanese aralia plant in late fall or early winter, but you will need to soak and crush them to extract the seeds. You can also order seeds online or purchase them at some nurseries. If you want to start them indoors, place the seeds in a potting tray or starter pot with rich potting soil and use a warming mat to keep the base of the pot warm (around 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep the soil evenly moist by placing the pot in a plastic bag, and the seeds should germinate in about 2 to 4 weeks. Once they sprout, remove the plastic bag and keep them warm for another 2 weeks.

You can transplant the seedlings outside once they are approximately 3 to 4 inches tall and outdoor temperatures are at least 60 to 70 degrees.

Propagating from Cuttings

To propagate from cuttings, take an 8-inch cut from the stem of a mature plant in mid to late summer. Look for stems with growth at the base and cut them just below the leaves. Remove leaves from the lower portion of your cutting and dip them in rooting hormone. Next, fill a small pot that has excellent drainage with a moist compost designed to encourage rooting and place your cutting cut tip down in the soil. Tamp down the soil and place the pot in a clear plastic bag to help your cutting stay moist.

Keep your pot in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight, and add water whenever the bag loses condensation. 

Types of Japanese Aralia

Fatsia japonica 'Variegata'

The ‘Variegata’ cultivar features large, evergreen leaves with irregular, ivory or white-tipped edges. It blooms in the late summer or early fall when it develops round clusters of cream flowers.

Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

‘Spider’s Web’ fatsia gets its name from the heavy speckling of white and cream that spreads over the entire leaf. Variegation may be light (or not present) in the early years of this cultivar, but after 3 or 4 years, it should take full effect.

Fatsia japonica 'Moseri'

This cultivar features the same large, glossy, evergreen leaves as other Japanese aralia shrubs, but it boasts starburst blooms of tiny white flowers that look like spacey, mid-century light fixtures.

Companion Plants for Japanese Aralia

Pair Japanese aralia with other low-light-loving plants to create a garden brimming with color and interest.

Elephant's Ear

Elephant’s Ear is another tropical-looking plant with eye-catching leaves that thrives in partial shade or dappled sun. It is hardy in zones 10 and 11 and grows to about 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide in ideal conditions.

Japanese Maple

Japanese maples perform well in shade but are also relatively heat tolerant. This means they can provide much-needed sun protection for your Japanese aralia. Their preferred climate is zones 6 through 8, but they can be grown in almost any climate with the right care.

Lungwort

Lungwort is a low-growing, shade-loving perennial that is hardy in zones 2 through 8. Its colorful blooms will provide a precursor to the late summer or fall blooms of the Japanese aralia. Lungwort plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and are likely to wilt in warm temperatures so give them a spot where they can take shelter from the sun.