Indoor Care for Fatsia Japonica

Light

• Fatsia japonica plants need shade to grow, but will grow very well in an east window with the morning sun as long as it has shade from the southern and western sun. Indoor container plants can be moved outdoors during the summer, but the location must have shade. The hot, direct sun will cause the plant to wilt.

Water and Fertilizer

• The plant needs moist soil. When the surface of the plant soil is dry to the touch, water the plant thoroughly. Fatsia japonica has a moderate tolerance of dry conditions. Use room temperature water that has sat out for at least 24 hours so the chemicals dissipate. Do not use softened water on the indoor plant. Indoor container plants will need an application of fertilizer once a month to replenish the nutrients in the soil. Use a slow release 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium) fertilizer.

Soil and Salt

• The soil for planting fatsia plants is loam, acidic, sand, clay or slightly alkaline. The plant has a high tolerance for many different soil types, but has no tolerance for salt. The salt in the soil would come from excessive fertilizer or from using softened water.

Temperatures

• Fatsia japonica plants need cool temperatures. The ideal temperatures are 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but at least 10 degrees cooler at night. If placed outdoors during the summer in the container, the plant will tolerate higher temperatures, but not temperatures lower than 50 degrees F.