The Heat-Tolerant Shrub With A Unique Look That Thrives When Grown In Pots

Potted plants are versatile and fun. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can always find something that fits your needs. Plus, they let you move things around if you get bored and just want to change the layout. But you can't just bring any potted plant home and expect it to thrive. You need to pay attention to certain aspects of its care – for instance, the local climate. If it is really hot where you live, you need something that can tolerate high temperatures. And that is where 'Spider's Web' Fatsia (Fatsia japonica) comes in. It is a beautiful, tropical plant with shiny, variegated leaves. But what makes it really special is that the pattern of its variegations changes as it grows, as well as across different seasons. So, even if you don't want to move things around, you will still have something new to look at from time to time.

The best part? You can grow 'Spider's Web' Fatsia both outdoors and indoors. Indoors, it thrives in average room temperatures of typical homes. All you have to do is make sure that you keep it away from direct sunlight, so a place near a north- or east-facing window with a thin curtain is best. Also, make sure you keep it away from cold drafts. As for the outdoor placement, you can place it either on a patio or a sheltered balcony with partial or filtered sunlight. Just make sure to check your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone before you decide to bring it home. The plant hates extreme cold, so if you live outside zones 7 through 11 with harsh winters, you won't be able to grow it outside year-round.

If you want your 'Spider's Web' Fatsia to really thrive, you must choose the right pot. If you are starting the plants on your own, you can begin by planting them in 10-inch pots. From there, just repot the plant into a container 1 to 2 inches bigger every year. If, however, you really hate the hassle of repotting and you are purchasing nursery-grown plants, you can use a pot that is around 8 to 10 inches bigger than the root ball of your plant. Starting with a pot this large will allow your plant to grow for two to three years before repotting. And if you don't want to repot at all, you can always look into plants that you will rarely have to worry about repotting. 

Aside from the size, you also need to make sure that your chosen pot drains really well. The 'Spider's Web' Fatsia doesn't like soggy or wet conditions, which make it extremely prone to root rot. So, make sure you choose a container with plenty of drainage holes. Cover the bottom of the pot with landscape fabric. It will prevent the drainage holes from getting clogged up. 

Finally, use a well-draining potting medium in your pot. A 50/50 blend of potting soil and organic compost mixed with 10 to 20% perlite will work the best. You can even make your own DIY Soil Mix at home by mixing coco coir with a quality peat-based potting medium.

When planting or repotting 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, make sure that the rim of the pot or container is at least half an inch to 1 inch higher than the root ball of the plant. Then, fill the pot with the soil and squeeze it down gently to make sure all the large air pockets have been removed. Keep filling the pot until it is flush with the top of the root ball. Once that is done, water the soil thoroughly and allow it to settle, and then add more soil if needed. Just make sure not to let the soil become compacted.

As for watering your potted 'Spider's Web' Fatsia, the exact number of times you need to water will vary depending on humidity and how well the pot drains. But as a general rule, you should only water the plant when the top couple inches of the soil feel dry. Just don't water lightly. You need to water thoroughly till you see the water coming out of the drainage holes. Then let the soil dry again before watering again. As for fertilizing a pot-grown Spider's Web Fatsia, use a slow-release fertilizer.

Fertilize only in spring or summer. Once winter arrives, stop fertilizing so the plant can go dormant. 'Spider's Web' Fatsia is a slow-growing plant and doesn't require much fertilizer. But despite growing slowly, it can reach heights of up to 8 feet. And if you are growing it indoors, you might need to prune it to maintain its size. Just make sure to prune in spring and only trim the branches that are affecting the plant's natural shape.