Fatsia japonica - Herbaceous Plants,Shrub - Japanese Aralia, Japanese Fatsia, Paperplant Page

Fatsia japonica, also known as Japanese Aralia, Japanese Fatsia, or Paperplant, is an evergreen shrub native to southern Japan and South Korea. It grows up to 10-15 ft tall with stout, sparsely branched stems. The large leaves are spirally arranged, measuring 8-20 inches in width, and have 7–9 broad lobes with coarse, blunt teeth along the edges. In late autumn or early winter, small white flowers appear in dense terminal compound umbels, followed by small black fruit in spring. Fatsia japonica is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in warm temperate regions and is often used indoors as a house plant.
This plant is famous for its bold, shiny, dark green palmate leaves, which can grow to over 1 foot in width. It forms a large, rounded, open shrub and produces white flowers in the fall. To maintain the vibrant color of its leaves, it is best grown in shade, as exposure to direct sunlight and wind can cause browning. It is a popular choice for indoor decoration due to its attractive foliage.
Fatsia japonica has been shown to effectively remove gaseous formaldehyde from indoor air, making it a beneficial addition to any indoor environment. It is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-10 and is tolerant of semi-shade to full shade.
It's important to note that the sap of Fatsia japonica can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to its sticky and resinous nature. However, this shouldn't deter you from enjoying the beauty and benefits of this remarkable plant.