This suckering shrub is upright with cane like stems with spreading foliage that forms an open rounded crown. It has glossy green lobed leaves and the small creamy white flowers appear in a dense cluster during late summer followed by black fruit.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Fatsia japonica is naturally found from Honshu in Japan to East Asia growing on the coast and in the lower mountains and slopes.

It prefers a well-drained organic rich fertile moist sandy to caly soil with a pH range from 5.5 to 8.0 and grows in an open sunny to semi shaded wind protected position and is frost and drought tender.

Fatsia is grown for its large lobed leaves and its spreading unbranched habit. It is planted in small tropical or Japanese gardens along borders or in gullies as a low screen or used around a water features for a tropical effect. It is also grown as an indoor plant when young tolerating neglect and is planted in courtyards in planter boxes or tubs. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 1-2 years but may be short lived. ID 9

Note:
Care should be taken as the seeds germinate readily under ideal conditions and the plant can become a weed in some regions.

Fatsia (FAT-see-uh) japonica (ja-PON-ee-kah)

'Fatsia': Latinate form of the Japanese name for this plant; 'japonica': of Japan.

Araliaceae (ah-RA-lee-AY-see-ee)