Hardiness zones
Sunset 4-9, 14-24 (13 with protection)
USDA 8 - 11

Landscape Use: A foliar accent shrub that in Phoenix is restricted to atriums, sheltered entryways, indoor container plant, around sheltered water gardens and patios. In southern California coastal areas it may be grown in full sun as a foundation accent shrub.

Form & Character: Evergreen, oriental, tropical, erect, bold foliar accent.

Growth Habit: Upright, perennial, semi woody shrub, slow to 5' with somewhat lesser spread. In favorable climates can grow to 20'.

Foliage/Texture: Large fleshy leaves to 6-8" in width, palmately cut to 7-11 lobes with prominent palmate venation, long petiole, very coarse texture

Flowers & Fruits: Small axillary umbels of white-green flowers followed by small dark blue to black fruit, relatively inconspicuous

Seasonal Color: None

Temperature: Very heat and light sensitive in the Phoenix area. Must be given ample protection.

Light: Shade in Phoenix.  

Soil: Tolerant

Watering: Regular

Pruning: Little to none required

Propagation: Stem cuttings, seed

Disease and pests: Spider mites

Additional comments: A bold foliar accent plant that is most effective if plant is foliar thinned to show off some of the branch structure. Japanese aralia is completely relegated to protected locations in Phoenix. x Fatshedera lizei (the botanical wonder or ivy tree) is a cross between Fatsia japonica 'Moseri' and Hedera helix (English ivy).