The indoor aralia or Japanese aralia (bot. Fatsia japonica) is a pretty, fast-growing houseplant from the Araliaceae family. The plant, which is native to Asia, has strikingly large, deeply incised and hand-shaped leaves that shine dark green. The plant, which is quite easy to care for, can grow very tall in a short time and takes up a lot of space in the living room or conservatory.

Some varieties of the house aralia, like the Spiderweb shown here, have beautiful leaf decorations

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. appearance and growth
  3. leaves
  4. Blossoms, flowering period and fruits
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. substrate
  8. Plant room aralia correctly
  9. repot
  10. Water room aria
  11. Fertilize room aralia properly
  12. Cut room aralie correctly
  13. Multiply room aria
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The genus Fatsia includes only three different species, all of which are native to South Korea and Japan. The room plant (bot. Fatsia japonica), which is very popular with us as a houseplant, grows wild in the vast laurel forests of tropical Japan, but is also found in South Korea and in some correspondingly warm regions of New Zealand. In the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Fatsia japonica is also popular as a park and garden plant. There are various cultivars of this species, and other Araliaceae are also found in many living rooms.

    appearance and growth

    The room aralie is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to six meters high in its natural habitat. In room culture, the plant does not grow quite as tall, but in a suitable location it can still grow to a height of up to two meters. Only a few branches sprout from the strong trunk, and the species is quite difficult to branch out. Young branches, leaves and inflorescences are usually covered with woolly hairs.

    leaves

    The up to 40 centimeters wide, shiny dark green and alternate leaves are characteristic of this leaf ornamental plant. The seven to nine-lobed, hand-shaped leaves are terminal on stalks that are up to 50 centimeters long.

    Blossoms, flowering period and fruits

    In room culture, the room aralie only very rarely flowers. If so, the whitish umbels appear in late autumn and only on older plants. After fertilization, tiny, spherical stone fruits appear, which are black when ripe.

    toxicity

    All parts of the aralia are poisonous to both humans and animals because of the saponins they contain. However, while humans would have to eat large amounts of the green leaves to suffer from symptoms of poisoning, even small amounts of the plant are potentially fatal for cats.

    Which location is suitable?

    Place the indoor aria in a bright to semi-shady location, but never in full sun. Long-lasting direct sunlight should be avoided, especially around midday, as the leaves are very sensitive to it and burn quickly. Window sills facing south, east or west, which can be shaded at midday if necessary, are ideal. Bright corridors, stairwells or anterooms are also well suited for the exotic plant. During the summer months you can cultivate Fatsia japonica outdoors in a light and sheltered place. If the shrub develops a large number of light green and/or heavily woody shoots, it is probably too dark.

    In terms of temperature, the indoor aria likes it cooler: temperatures around 18 °C are ideal for them. The humidity should be quite high, whereby the rule of thumb is: the higher the ambient temperature, the more frequently you should spray Fatsia japonica. During the winter months, the species also hibernates coolly at around ten degrees Celsius, as it takes a break from growth during this time.

    substrate

    The room aralie is not hardy and should therefore not be planted out in the garden. However, it is best suited for room or conservatory culture, provided cool overwintering is possible. For this purpose, plant them in a high-quality potting soil based on compost - for environmental reasons you should avoid peat-based potting soil, especially since this also allows water to accumulate quickly - and mix it with perlite or expanded clay to improve permeability.(19.73€)

    In addition, the room aralie is very suitable for low-maintenance hydroponics.

    Plant room aralia correctly

    Move the aralia to a larger plant pot and fresh substrate as soon as possible after purchase. The best time to do this is at the beginning of the growing season between April and June, as this is when the plants are rooting best. Choose a wide planter made of heavy material such as clay or ceramic, as Fatsia japonica grows very quickly and then quickly becomes top-heavy in pots that are too small. Good pot drainage is also important, which helps to prevent waterlogging. A drainage hole at the bottom of the pot is essential.

    repot

    Since the root system of the fast-growing plant completely fills the planter within a short time, it makes sense to repot it into a larger bucket and fresh soil every one to two years. The new container should only be a few centimeters larger than the previous one, as the roots will grow excessively if the pot is too large. The best time for repotting is spring, as soon as the aralia sprouts the first new leaves and shoots.

    Water room aria

    During the spring budding and during the warm summer months, you should always keep the indoor aralia slightly moist. Water them regularly, but always only a little and wait with the next watering until the substrate has dried on the surface. Overwatering is to be avoided, as is waterlogging. Instead, keep the humidity high by frequently spraying the plant with (low-calcium!) water during the warm season or by placing a water-filled bowl nearby. Avoid dry room air in the winter months as well and thus counteract an infestation with spider mites.

    Fertilize room aralia properly

    Between March and September, vigorous room aralia needs a lot of nutrients. During this time, fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer for ornamental foliage or green plants and administer this together with the irrigation water. After repotting in fresh substrate, fertilizing is not necessary for about eight weeks, as most commercially available substrates are pre-fertilized. The same applies to humus-containing potting soil. Organic fertilizers such as compost, horn shavings, (32.93€) banana peels and the like are less suitable for potted plants, since the substrate lacks the microorganisms necessary for breaking down the nutrients. Dried coffee grounds, on the other hand, can be administered.

    Stop fertilizing during the winter months between October and March.

    Cut room aralie correctly

    In principle, pruning and shaping are not necessary for the Fatsia japonica, but often useful due to the vigorous nature of the plants. Younger aralia can be stimulated into more branched and therefore bushier growth with a targeted pruning at the beginning of the vegetation period, whereby you always cut the shoots just above a so-called "eye". Older plants can be limited in height quite well by simply clipping them to the desired size. But be careful: Often enough, the bushes will then sprout again all the more strongly. Since the aralia becomes very lignified with age, you should use sharp pruning shears to cut it back.

    Multiply room aria

    The easiest way is vegetative propagation via cuttings, which develop roots very quickly. Proceed as follows:

    • Cut the head shoots or side shoots left over from pruning to the desired length.
    • Remove all but the top two leaves.
    • Place the sprouts in a glass of water.
    • Place the jar in a bright, but not directly sunny location.
    • Change the water daily.
    • Plant the rooted cuttings in suitable substrate as soon as the first new shoots form.
    • Keep the substrate slightly moist.
    • Gradually acclimate the young aralia to a brighter location.

    Alternatively, you can also plant the cuttings in a nutrient-poor growing substrate. The best time to take cuttings is early summer, although the vigorous plant can still root well at other times.

    hibernate

    Since the indoor aria is on a winter break, a cool and bright temperature makes sense. Place the plant in a little or no heated room, for example in the bedroom or in the stairwell. Only it must not be drafty here. Water little and do not fertilize between November and March.

    diseases and pests

    Indoor aralia are robust plants that neither diseases nor pests can harm so quickly. However, an unsuitable location or incorrect maintenance can lead to problems in the long run. Excessive watering or even waterlogging results in root rot, which is caused by fungi and can hardly be treated: there are no effective fungicides.

    spider mites

    Spider mites (also known as "red spiders") often appear in bright locations with dry indoor air. For the first treatment, water the infested Fatsia japonica well and then put a translucent plastic bag over it. This should remain on the plant for a day or two and only then be removed. Then keep the humidity high.

    aphids

    Aphids literally love to eat the house aralie. As a rule, an infestation that is still not very pronounced can be contained by regularly showering off the affected plant.

    tips

    Since the large leaves of the aralia quickly get dusty, you should either shower the plant with lukewarm water from time to time or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Dusty plants not only look ugly, they also quickly suffer from a lack of light and nutrients because photosynthesis does not work properly.

    species and varieties

    In the trade, the room aralie is available in different cultivars. Depending on the variety, the leaves are either plain green or yellow or white variegated. 'Albomarginata', for example, has white-edged foliage, while 'Variegata', which only grows up to a meter high, has yellow or white spotted leaf edges. The still relatively new variety 'Spiderweb' is also very decorative with its irregular white-colored bordered leaves.

    In addition to the species Fatsia japonica, the related aralia family Schefflera arboricola (ray aralie or Schefflera) and the Polyscias (feather aralie) are among the most popular indoor plants. The species have similar needs in terms of location and care as the indoor aralie, and they can also be easily socialized.

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Indoor plants