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Fatsia japonica not doing well

james-HYumfQsjames-HYumfQs Posts: 68
in Plants
So I have a lovely fatsia japonica, though I think the position and direct sun is killing it. Was broad dark green leaves earlier in the year, now it's light green and yellow blotchy leaves, and looks like they're shrinking in size. Tall grasses either side but it's hit by sun quite hard. Should I remove and replace with a japonica that prefers sun or are they all the same and suffer in daytime sun? Should I leave it and see what happens over winter months or cut it right back? Thanks 

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  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Despite their tropical look, they prefer a shady location and will typically bleach in full sun like yours has done.  They are tough shrubs and will usually recover well if moved to a more suitable location. If you’re going to do this, now is a good time while the soil is still warm.  I would remove all the scorched leaves first and add some organic matter in and around the planting area mixed in with the soil.  

    If you want a plant to put in the sunny location, assuming the soil is good and well draining, you could plant a flowering shrub like a rose or an evergreen shrub like Euonymus or perhaps a dwarf conifer.  It would be a good idea to clear the area a bit to give your replacement plant adequate space for the roots and foliage to establish.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • james-HYumfQsjames-HYumfQs Posts: 68
    Plantminded said:
    Despite their tropical look, they prefer a shady location and will typically bleach in full sun like yours has done.  They are tough shrubs and will usually recover well if moved to a more suitable location. If you’re going to do this, now is a good time while the soil is still warm.  I would remove all the scorched leaves first and add some organic matter in and around the planting area mixed in with the soil.  

    If you want a plant to put in the sunny location, assuming the soil is good and well draining, you could plant a flowering shrub like a rose or an evergreen shrub like Euonymus or perhaps a dwarf conifer.  It would be a good idea to clear the area a bit to give your replacement plant adequate space for the roots and foliage to establish.
    Thanks very much for your reply. I will try and move today or Monday when I'm back at the school. We have some good mulch that I can mix in with some compost and maybe planted up in a pot for the time being. Out of curiosity, if I would have just leave it as is and keep trimming back the dead leaves, would it survive the reminder of the summer months going into winter or could it physically kill the plant with too much sun? Thanks!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're very tough, but shade is far better for them as already said. Even here where I am, they can get bleached with too many hours of sun. 
    It won't die if you leave it, as long as it has enough water,  but it will be weakened, so the best solution is to get it out and you can certainly pot it up for a while. Long term, they aren't great for pots as they want to be pretty large plants, so the root system would be affected, but it would be fine over winter, for example. Use soil, or mostly soil, if you're doing that.  :)
    They can still get damage over winter, but any damage can be cut out and new growth will be produced.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • james-HYumfQsjames-HYumfQs Posts: 68
    Fairygirl said:
    They're very tough, but shade is far better for them as already said. Even here where I am, they can get bleached with too many hours of sun. 
    It won't die if you leave it, as long as it has enough water,  but it will be weakened, so the best solution is to get it out and you can certainly pot it up for a while. Long term, they aren't great for pots as they want to be pretty large plants, so the root system would be affected, but it would be fine over winter, for example. Use soil, or mostly soil, if you're doing that.  :)
    They can still get damage over winter, but any damage can be cut out and new growth will be produced.  :)


    Thank you. When cutting back in the autumn, do you cut right down to the stem or just the leaves and leave the stem? I've got one in a very large pot at home and it's dongle fine but will need to be planted out soon. 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I had a new healthy Fatsia in a container for about two months.  It grew so rapidly that I had to find a location for it in the ground very quickly!  Yours should be OK in a pot over winter but place the pot in a sheltered place, near a wall for example, as they can be vulnerable to frost damage if they are not in good condition.  I wouldn't leave it where it is for the same reason.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    For your Fatsia at home, you can prune in the best way that suits the location or your preference.  I often remove some of the main stems at ground level to leave between 1-3. I  then remove all the lower leaves from the remaining stem/stems to expose the lower stems, giving the impression of a small tree.  Alternatively, if you want a dense shrub and foliage, reduce the stems by between a third or half to create a suitable framework for future growth.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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