Tree ivy
Fatshedera lizei · Sapindaceae
⚠️ Fatshedera : feuilles et sève toxiques par ingestion/contact pour chats, chiens et enfants ; irritations digestives et cutanées.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around tree ivy and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Fatshedera lizei
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult height
- Up to 150 cm
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness (0 to 5 °C)
- Origin
- Hybrid (parents from Japan and Ireland)
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Fatsia japonica in partial shade is virtually trouble-free. Water regularly during growth (March-September), then space out waterings in winter.
The common mistake
Growing it in harsh afternoon sun: foliage takes on rusty tones and loses its appeal.
The pro's trick
Mist the foliage weekly from May to September, especially in dry climates: this boosts leaf beauty and discourages spider mites.
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate regularly moist without excess during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce watering in autumn and winter, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Use water at room temperature and avoid splashing the foliage.
Light and exposure
Place your Fatshedera in indirect light or partial shade; bright light without direct sun promotes dense foliage and optimal coloring. Avoid exposure to harsh afternoon sun which may scorch the leaves. A location near a north or east-facing window suits it perfectly.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly in spring to encourage a compact, branched habit. Remove dead or weak stems and damaged leaves as needed. This plant can be grown as a bush or as a small climbing plant if you provide it with support.
Potting mix and soil
Use rich, well-draining potting mix, slightly peaty or enriched with organic matter. Add sand or perlite if your substrate retains too much moisture. Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring to keep the plant in good condition.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced diluted fertilizer every 15 to 20 days during the growing season (April to September). Reduce or stop fertilizing in winter when growth slows. Prefer a fertilizer formulated for foliage plants.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites or mealybugs, favored by overly dry air; increase humidity with regular misting. In case of excess stagnant moisture, root rot may occur: improve drainage. Insects can be controlled by wiping the foliage or, if necessary, with gentle treatments.
Did you know?
The Fatshedera is an artificial hybrid created in 1912 in France in a nursery in Nantes, resulting from crossing a Fatsia japonica and a Hedera hibernica. Its name itself pays tribute to this hybrid botanical heritage, and it is one of the rare houseplants whose horticultural history is so recent and well-documented.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
- Norway mapleAcer platanoides
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- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.