Japanese Aralia 'Fatsia Japonica'

Prefers medium to high levels of indirect light.

Water well and then allow the soil to dry out between each watering.

Enjoys humidity. Spritz occasionally.

Ideal daytime temperatures for this plant are between 65°-75°F during daylight hours and down to 50°-60°F at night.

Outside: Keep them in part shade (early morning sun) to full shade on a patio out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn and bring inside when nights are below 50°F.

Apply a liquid fertilizer especially formulated for indoor plants.  Apply during the spring, summer and fall season. Let them rest during the winter.

When receiving the Japanese Aralia,  do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months. Repot every 2-3 years or when the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes. 

Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier.

Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow to drain.. Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage. 

Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let sit an hour.

Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. 

Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling. 

Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over. 

Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.   

Water well to dampen the soil and let drain.

At any time of the year, remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep your plant in good health. Manage the size of the Japanese Aralia plant with hard pruning in early spring if needed to shape it. This will help me remain dense and upright. 

To clean the leaves:

Place the plant in a shower or tub.

Use a watering container with a shower head attachment.

Fill the watering can with filtered, bottled, or water that's free of chemicals and shower the plant's leaves to wash off any debris and dust.

Let them drip dry and place back into their decorative container.

Release the soil around the sucker with a garden fork. Carefully uncover and remove the sucker and associated roots. Do not disturb the mother plant.

Using a sharp knife to cut the sucker while keeping in tack the detached portions fibrous roots. Repair and add soil around the parent plant.

Reduce long, leafy shoots by removing about half of the stem and leaves. 

Plant the sucker into a well-draining potting mix with perlite added.

Water well after securing the soil around the roots. Keep a consistent watering schedule for the first year.