WashingtonGardener: Paper Plant (Fastia) Plant Profile

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Paper Plant (Fastia) Plant Profile

Paper Plant (Fatsia japonica) has a tropical appearance with large, palmate leaves with ball-shaped blooms in fall and early winter -- followed by small black fruits or drupes in spring. It is also known as Big-leaf Paper Plant, False Castor Oil Plant, Fatsia, and Japanese Aralia. The Latin name for it was previously Aralia japonica and Aralia sieboldii.

It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to Japan and Korea. It is hardy to USDA zones 7 to 10.

Fatsia grows best in part to full shade in moist, but well-draining, acidic soils. It is tolerant of salt spray and pollution and can survive in sandy soils, making it a good coastal plant option.

If it is planted in full sun or a windy location, the foliage will turn brown.

Fertilize it regularly during the growing season and prune it to shape it whenever you like. It can grow 4 to 6 feet wide and high.

There are variegated cultivars available with interesting and attractive foliage. Several beautiful specimens are on display at the US Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian Gardens in Washington, DC.

Paper Plant: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video. Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Ellen Isaacson

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