Origin and Distribution
The genus Fatsia only includes three different species, all of which are native to South Korea and Japan. The indoor aralia (bot. Fatsia japonica), which is very popular with us as a houseplant, grows wild in the vast laurel forests of tropical Japan, but is also found in South Korea and in some regions of New Zealand with correspondingly warm climates. In the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Fatsia japonica is also cultivated as a park and garden plant. There are different cultivars of the species, and other aralia plants are also found in many living rooms.
also read
- Who is the indoor aralia poisonous for?
- Essential procedures in the care of the indoor aralia
- Properly care for the leaves of the calla
Appearance and stature
The indoor aralia is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to six meters high in its natural location. In indoor cultivation, the plant does not get quite as high, but in a suitable location it can still reach heights of up to two meters. Only a few branches sprout from the sturdy trunk, and the species branches quite difficult. Young branches and the leaves and inflorescences are usually woolly hairy.
leaves
The up to 40 centimeters wide, glossy dark green and alternate leaves are characteristic of this decorative leaf plant. The seven- to nine-lobed, hand-shaped leaves are at the ends on stems up to 50 centimeters long.
Flowers, flowering time and fruits
In indoor culture, the indoor aralia very rarely sets flowers. If so, the whitish umbels appear in late autumn and only on older plants. After fertilization, tiny, spherical and, when ripe, black stone fruits appear.
Toxicity
All parts of the indoor aralia are poisonous for humans as well as animals because of the saponins they contain. However, while humans would have to eat a lot of the green leaves in order to suffer from symptoms of poisoning, even the smallest amounts of the plant are potentially fatal for cats.
Which location is suitable?
Place the room aralia in a light to partially shaded location, but never in full sun. Long-term direct sunlight should be avoided, especially around midday, as the leaves are very sensitive to it and burn quickly. Window sills facing south, east or west, which can be shaded over midday if necessary, are ideal. Bright hallways, stairwells or vestibules are also well suited for the exotic plant. During the summer months, you can cultivate Fatsia japonica in a light and sheltered place outdoors. If the shrub forms a striking number of light green and / or heavily woody shoots, it is probably too dark.
In terms of temperature, the room aralia likes it cooler: Temperatures around 18 ° C are ideal for them. The humidity should be quite high, with the following rule of thumb: the higher the ambient temperature, the more often you should spray Fatsia japonica. During the winter months, the species also overwinters cool at around ten degrees Celsius, as it pauses in growth during this time.
Substrate
The indoor aralia is not hardy and should therefore not be planted in the garden. However, it is ideally suited for indoor or winter garden culture, provided that a cool overwintering is possible. For this purpose, plant them in high-quality compost-based potted potting soil - for environmental reasons, you should avoid peat-based potting soil, especially since this also quickly accumulates water - and mix this with perlite or expanded clay to improve permeability. (€ 17.50 at Amazon *)
In addition, the indoor aralia is very suitable for low-maintenance hydroponics.
Plant indoor aralas properly
Move the room aralas to a larger plant pot and fresh substrate as soon as possible after purchase. The best time for this measure is the beginning of the growing season between April and June, as this is the best time for the plants to take root. Choose a wide planter made of heavy material such as clay or ceramic, as Fatsia japonica grows very quickly and then quickly becomes top-heavy in pots that are too small. It is also important to have good pot drainage, which helps prevent waterlogging. A drain hole at the bottom of the pot is essential.
Repot
Since the roots of the fast-growing plant completely fill the planter within a short time, repotting in a larger container and fresh soil every one to two years makes sense. The new vessel should only be a few centimeters larger than the previous one, as the roots will grow excessively if the pot is too large. The best time to repot is in spring, as soon as the indoor aralia starts to sprout the first new leaves and shoots.
Pour indoor aralia
During the spring budding as well as during the warm summer months, you should always keep the indoor aralia slightly moist. Water them regularly, but only a little, and wait until the surface of the substrate has dried with the next watering. Pouring over and waterlogging should be avoided. Instead, keep the humidity high by frequently spraying the plant with (low-lime!) Water during the warm season or by placing a bowl filled with water nearby. Avoid dry room air even in the winter months and thus counteract spider mite infestation.
Fertilize room aralas properly
Between March and September vigorous indoor aralas need a lot of nutrients. During this time, fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer for decorative foliage or green plants and administer this together with the irrigation water. After repotting in fresh substrate, fertilizing is not necessary for about eight weeks, as most commercially available substrates are pre-fertilized. The same applies to soil containing humus. Organic fertilizers such as compost, horn shavings, banana peels and the like, on the other hand, are less suitable for potted plants because the substrate lacks the microorganisms necessary for the breakdown of nutrients. Dried coffee grounds, on the other hand, can be administered.
You stop fertilizing during the winter months between October and March.
Cut room aralia correctly
In principle, back-cuts and shaped cuts are not necessary for Fatsia japonica, but often make sense due to the vigor of the plants. You can stimulate younger room aralia with a targeted pruning at the beginning of the vegetation period to a more branched and thus bushier growth, whereby you always cut the shoots just above a so-called “eye”. Older plants can be limited in height quite easily by simply pruning them to the desired size. But be careful: often enough the bushes then sprout all the more. Since the indoor aralia becomes heavily lignified with age, you should use sharp secateurs for pruning.
Propagate indoor aralia
The easiest way of vegetative propagation is via cuttings, which very quickly develop roots. Proceed as follows:
- Cut the head shoots or side shoots that occur when pruning to the desired length.
- Remove all but the top two leaves.
- Put the shoots in a glass with water.
- The glass is placed in a bright, but not directly sunny location.
- Change the water daily.
- Plant the rooted cuttings in a suitable substrate as soon as the first new shoots appear.
- Keep the substrate slightly moist.
- Slowly get used to the young indoor aralia in a lighter location.
Alternatively, you can also plant the cuttings in a nutrient-poor growing medium (€ 9.05 on Amazon *). The best time to cut cuttings is early summer, although the vigorous plant can still be rooted well at other times.
Overwinter
Since the room aralia takes a winter break, a cool and light temperature makes sense. Place the plant in a little or no heated room, for example in the bedroom or stairwell. It just can't be drafty here. Water little and do not fertilize between November and March.
Diseases and pests
Zimmeraralien are robust plants that neither diseases nor pests can attack so quickly. However, an unsuitable location or incorrect maintenance can lead to problems in the long term. Excessive watering or waterlogging, for example, results in root rot, which is caused by fungi and can hardly be treated: There are no effective fungicides.
Spider mites
Spider mites (also known as “red spiders”) often appear in bright locations with dry indoor air. Pour the infected Fatsia japonica well for the first treatment and then put a translucent plastic bag over it. This should remain on the plant for a day or two and only then be removed. Then keep the humidity high.
Aphids
Aphids literally like to eat the indoor aralia. As a rule, a still less pronounced infestation can be contained well by regularly showering the infested plant.
Tips
Since the large leaves of the indoor aralia quickly become dusty, you should either shower the plant from time to time with lukewarm water or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Dusty plants not only look unattractive, they also quickly suffer from a lack of light and nutrients because photosynthesis does not work properly.
Species and varieties
The indoor aralia is available in various cultivars in stores. Depending on the variety, the leaves are variegated either monochrome green or yellow or white. 'Albomarginata', for example, has leaves bordered in white, while the 'Variegata', which grows up to a meter high, has yellow or white spotted leaf margins. The relatively new cultivar 'Spiderweb' is also very decorative with its irregular white bordered leaves.
In addition to the species Fatsia japonica, the related aralia family Schefflera arboricola (ray aralia or Schefflera) and the Polyscias (feather aralia) are among the most popular indoor plants. The species have similar needs in terms of location and care as the indoor aralia, and they are easy to socialize.
Fiederaralie - Polyscias approx. 40 cm high 20.55 EUR Buy at baldur Indoor palm set 36.25 EUR Buy at baldur Indoor plant mix 'Green Darlings' 19.12 EUR Buy at baldur
