The Not-so Fat and Sexy Fatsia

This is a Japanese Fatsia (Fatsia japonica), sometimes referred to as Japanese Aralia.

Yes, she is girthy overall compared to her height, but she is sexy and loves to show off, particularly in the right situation and provided adequate water.

I almost always see Fatsias mingled in with other plants or in some crowded woodland type environment. The usually seem lost among the other plants where many times they get muddled in and entwined with other plants' branches. But, this girl is on her own in a shaded area which probably receives less than three hours direct (not throughout the plant) sunlight.

This corner placement works great and that ambient and reflected light away from the wall of the home keeps her reaching outward and upward.

I pruned her for health reasons several months ago and then returned and changed the watering schedule. The adequate watering (not drowning) gave the turgidity (more plant physiology later) for her to help maintain the outward, but upward branch and stem habit.

About one week ago I pruned her for aesthetics, but primarily to balance the weight of the various branches.

If you want to add an Asian, tropical or rain forest look to your property, then a Fatsia or two as specimen plants (not thrown in with whatever else) may be a great choice.

This isn't one of those love-hate plants. You will love Fatsia, but she may hate you if her toss her in with the rest of the crowd when she wants so badly to put on a show. Okay, you may hate yourself.

So, next time you think of Fatsia, feel free to think of Fat, but also gorgeous, given the proper placement and care.