Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Tetrapanax papyrifer or Rice Paper Plant

The genus Tetrapanax, family Araliaceae, includes a single species of shrub native to the island of Taiwan: Tetrapanax papyrifer.

Common names: Rice Paper Plant, Rice-Paper Tree or Chinese rice-paper plant.

They are evergreen shrubs that reach more than 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. They have large, very lobed leaves of an intense green color on the upper surface and greyish green on the underside. Rice paper is made with the stem of these plants. The creamy white flowers appear in a large umbel at the end of the stem. They bloom in late summer or early fall.

This fast-growing plant is used in the greenhouse, as single specimens in the garden, in small bushy groups, and next to ponds.

Tetrapanax papyrifer grows in semi-shade and full sun exposures protected from the wind and cold. It is advisable not to plant it near other bushes and trees because the roots grow a lot.

Rice Paper Plant grows in any type of soil that is not too drained.

Water regularly throughout the year without flooding, waiting for the substrate to be almost dry.

Fertilize in winter with manure and in spring every 20 days with mineral fertilizer.

Tetrapanax papyrifer can be attacked by aphids if it suffers drought and by fungi if the humidity is excessive.

Chinese rice-paper plant is propagated from seeds sown in autumn and by separation of suckers in spring.

Images of the shrub Tetrapanax papyrifer or Rice Paper Plant