Is Fatsia hardy?

Fatsia japonica, known in Dutch as the “finger plant,” is a beautiful foliage plant with large, glossy, palm-shaped leaves. In the past, Fatsia was mainly kept as a houseplant, but this evergreen plant is now increasingly common in our gardens. Fatsia is perfect, for example, for a jungle-style garden or a shaded garden. But is Fatsia hardy? Or do you need to protect it in the winter?

Is Fatsia (finger plant) hardy? Does it need winter protection?

Although you might expect an exotic plant not to survive our winters, fortunately this is not the case with the finger plant. Fatsia japonica is actually surprisingly hardy. Temperatures as low as -15°C are no problem for Fatsia. Only during very harsh winters might you need to protect Fatsia with, for example, garden fleece or burlap. More importantly, make sure the planting site isn’t too wet in the winter. Fatsia will also usually grow a bit larger in a sheltered spot.

Are all Fatsia species hardy?

So Fatsia japonica is quite hardy in our winters. But does this also apply to the well-known cultivars, such as Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata,’ Fatsia ‘Spider’s Web,’ and Fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’?

Unfortunately, the well-known Fatsia cultivars are less hardy than the species itself. These cultivars are moderately hardy, down to about -10°C. It is recommended to apply protective covering in the winter, especially when severe frosts set in.

My Fatsia is completely limp: Will it be okay?

When there is a frost, the Fatsia’s leaves droop, as does the top of the plant. It looks as if the plant is giving up. As soon as temperatures rise again and the frost is over, the Fatsia recovers completely, and the stems and leaves become firm once more.

Can Fatsia withstand snow?

Snow and ice are also no problem for Fatsia. Still, it’s a good idea to shake off a light layer of snow from the leaves so that your Fatsia doesn’t collapse under the weight.

Should you protect young Fatsia plants from frost?

Young plants are often less hardy than older plants or those that have been in the garden for a while. If you want to make sure your new plants survive their first winter, it’s best to wrap the Fatsia in burlap or garden fabric.

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