Garden Care Guide

Japanese Angelica Tree Care

Aralia elata

Likes sunny or partially shaded areas and well-drained soils. It is used as a specimen in the landscape and offers a tropical look with its thorny trunk and large, compound leaves. Its spreading root suckers must be kept under control.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Pruning: During dormancy, remove dry, diseased branches and weak shoots.
  • Plant protection: Measures can be taken against scale insects with dormant oil (mineral oil).
  • General care: Cover the root zone with mulch.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the trunk.
  • Frost risk: Protect the root collar of young saplings.
February
  • Pruning: Toward the end of the month is the best time for shaping and rejuvenation pruning. Remove unwanted root suckers.
  • Plant protection: Repeat the dormant oil application if needed.
  • General care: Check the root suckers.
  • Pests & diseases: Continue checking the trunk.
  • Frost risk: Protect young plants in severe frosts.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 5-10 L/week.
  • Fertilizing: Balanced NPK (e.g. 15-15-15) can be applied to the soil at 50-100 g per plant. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
  • General care: Hoe lightly to aerate the soil.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • Frost risk: Protect fresh shoots against late frosts.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: If it was not applied in March, apply it now.
  • Pruning: Remove only branches that spoil the appearance.
  • Plant protection: If aphids are seen, use a suitable insecticide (e.g., pyrethrin) (read the label for the dose).
  • General care: Clear weeds and root suckers.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for leaf spot diseases.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: If necessary, a nitrogen (N)-dominant foliar fertilizer can be applied ("do not overfeed").
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites; the risk rises in hot, dry weather. Apply an acaricide if necessary.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the leaves regularly for pests.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: Monitoring for pests should continue.
  • General care: Mulch to preserve soil moisture.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for spider mites and aphids.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Not needed. Fertilizing in extreme heat can cause stress.
  • Plant protection: Be careful about spider mites, especially in warm regions.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the leaves can be a sign of watering stress.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: Clear weeds and check for root suckers.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for fungal diseases (especially in humid regions).
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: A potassium (K)-heavy autumn fertilizer (e.g. 5-10-15) can be given to prepare the plant for winter ("do not overapply").
  • General care: Root cuttings can be taken for propagation.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf spot diseases may appear with the autumn rains.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: If it was not done in September, it can be done now.
  • General care: Reduce disease risk by collecting fallen leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fallen leaves.
  • Frost risk: In regions at risk of early frost, be prepared.
November
  • Watering: Not needed; rainfall is usually sufficient.
  • Pruning: After the leaves have completely fallen, clear the dry and weak branches.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the trunk.
  • Frost risk: Protect the root collar.
December
  • Pruning: Prune dead, diseased or forked branches.
  • Plant protection: A copper fungicide may be applied as a winter spray ("if there is a disease history").
  • General care: If snow accumulates, shake the branches so they do not break.
  • Pests & diseases: General trunk check.
  • Frost risk: Protection for young plants should continue.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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