Fatsia Japonica – Paper Plant

Fatsia Japonica, commonly known as the Paper Plant or Japanese Aralia, is a striking evergreen houseplant celebrated for its bold, architectural foliage. Its large, deeply lobed, glossy dark green leaves create a lush tropical look that brings character and life to any indoor space.

This shade-loving houseplant is an excellent choice for rooms with limited natural light, including north-facing rooms, hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms and offices. It is one of the best large-leaved houseplants for darker corners where many other plants struggle to thrive.

Fatsia Japonica is ideal for beginners and busy plant owners alike. It is a low-maintenance, resilient plant that tolerates a range of indoor conditions. It also has air-purifying qualities, helping to improve the environment in your home or workspace.

Supplied in a 3 litre pot, this plant is well-established and ready to make an immediate impact in your chosen room or display.

Care Guide

• Position in a partially shaded to shaded spot, away from direct sunlight


• Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged


• Use well-drained compost to avoid root rot


• Prefers cooler temperatures between 10–20°C; avoid placing near radiators or heat sources


• Feed monthly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser during spring and summer


• Wipe leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to keep them glossy and dust-free


• Repot every couple of years or when the plant becomes root-bound

Cultural Information

• Botanical Name: Fatsia japonica


• Common Names: Paper Plant, Japanese Aralia, Fig Leaf Palm, Castor Oil Plant


• Classification: Evergreen shrub


• Fully Grown Height & Spread: Up to 2–4 m × 2–4 m (outdoors); typically more compact when grown indoors


• Growth Habit: Upright, Spreading Evergreen Shrub


• Perfect for: Shaded Rooms, North-Facing Windows, Bathrooms, Offices, Indoor Garden Displays


• Flowering Time: Autumn to Early Winter (small creamy-white umbel flowers)


• Planting Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade


• Type: Hardy Evergreen Shrub (RHS Hardiness H5)


• Foliage: Large, Deeply Lobed, Glossy Dark Green Palmate Leaves


• Special Features: Air Purifying, Low Light Tolerant, Architectural Foliage