Garden Care Guide

Japanese Aralia Care

Fatsia japonica

It likes partially or fully shaded areas and rich, moist soil. It is used in the landscape to create texture in shady areas or as a pot plant; its large glossy leaves add a tropical feel.

Half-hardy · -12 °C / 10 °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
  • Watering: As the soil surface dries (e.g. 2-3 L/week); rainfall is usually sufficient.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry and diseased leaves/branches.
  • Plant protection: Check for scale insects and mealybugs; apply dormant oil (mineral oil) if necessary.
  • General care: Cover the root zone with mulch.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent root rot by avoiding overwatering.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.
February
  • Watering: Usually rainfall is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Toward the end of the month is the most suitable time for shaping and rejuvenation pruning.
  • General care: A suitable time for repotting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and the undersides of the leaves.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 5-10 L/week.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Hoe the soil lightly.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for aphids; if necessary, spray with soapy water made with Aleppo soap.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue balanced liquid fertilizing once a month.
  • Plant protection: If aphids and mealybugs are seen, use a suitable insecticide (e.g., pyrethrin) (read the label for the dose).
  • General care: Clear weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent fungal leaf spot diseases by trying not to wet the leaves.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Continue liquid fertilizing.
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites; spray the leaves with water or use a miticide 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 undersides of the leaves for pests.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Plant protection: Monitoring for pests should continue.
  • General care: Protect the plant from heat stress with regular watering.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf yellowing can be a sign of excessive sun or thirst.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing during extreme heat.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of spider mites and scale insects.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Sunburn can develop on the leaves; increase shading.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
  • General care: Continue regular watering.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of stress (leaf drop, yellowing).
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, stop fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing or drying leaves.
  • General care: You can take cuttings for propagation.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: In humid weather, watch for fungal spots.
  • Frost risk: In regions at risk of early frost, be prepared.
November
  • Watering: Not needed, but if the soil becomes very dry, give a small amount.
  • General care: Provide winter protection by adding mulch around the roots.
  • Pests & diseases: General check.
  • Frost risk: Protect the root collar.
December
  • Watering: Not required; water only if the soil is completely dry.
  • Pruning: Remove dead, diseased leaves/branches.
  • Plant protection: Apply dormant oil if needed.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for scale insects.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -12 °C.

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.

Browse all plant guides