Fatsia polycarpa
Fatsia polycarpa · Araliaceae
📷 Shih-Shiuan Kao from Taipei, Taiwan · CC BY-SA 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Fatsia polycarpa is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- September to October
- Adult size
- Up to 3 m tall
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness, grow in mild climates or indoors
- Origin
- Asia (Japan, coastal regions)
- Soil type
- Rich, well-drained, slightly moist
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Fatsia polycarpa needs airy space and regular moisture without waterlogging. In very continental climates, protect it from drying north winds.
The common mistake
Placing it too close to other shrubs that crowd it: it needs lateral space to develop its silhouette and foliage.
The pro's trick
In June, pinch back young shoots to force branching and achieve a nice bushy shape.
Care
Light exposure
Prefer bright, indirect light without scorching afternoon sun. Partial shade works perfectly well. Indoors, place it near an east or west-facing window for optimal growth.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the growing season. Reduce watering in winter. Check that the soil dries slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Soil and substrate
Use rich potting soil enriched with organic matter, with good drainage. Adding compost or leaf mold improves structure and moisture retention.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce or stop feeding in autumn and winter to respect the plant's relative dormancy.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or very weak branches. This plant adapts well to light shaping pruning.
Diseases and pests
Watch for scale insects and red spider mites, particularly indoors in dry conditions. Good drainage and adequate ventilation prevent rot. Mist the foliage regularly to maintain ambient humidity.
Did you know?
Fatsia polycarpa is a charming species of the Fatsia genus, often confused with Fatsia japonica. Its name 'polycarpa' literally means 'many fruits,' as it produces small cream-white flowers in clusters that become very decorative black berries. Though less well-known than its cousin, it brings an exotic and graphic touch to coastal or Mediterranean gardens.
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
- Common ivyHedera helix
- Japanese angelica treeAralia elata
- Persian ivyHedera colchica
- Japanese araliaFatsia japonica
- Cabbage treeCussonia spicata
- Algerian ivyHedera algeriensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.