Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia elata) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024

Aralia elata is a deciduous woody shrub or tree that belongs to the Araliaceae plant family.

Common names for this plant include Japanese angelica tree, Chinese angelica-tree, and Korean angelica-tree.

Aralia elata fruits photograph by Wendy Cutler.

It has many culinary uses in East Asian Food:

1. In Korea young shoots (dureuo) can be eaten blanched or fried, and are often pickled (jangajji).
2. In Japanese cooking shoot tips are delicately fried to create a tempura known as Tara-no-me.

Elsewhere this small tree is often grown as an ornamental plant. Grow in the garden in a shady area with a deep loam. Common cultivars include 'Variegata' and 'Aureovariegata'.

Aralia elata Further details

This plant is commonly known as the Korean or Japanese Angelica tree. It is a large upright deciduous bush that in tree form can reach close to 10 meters (33 feet) in height.

As the name suggests it is naturally native to Japan and countries in close proximity.

It carries a black fruit in the fall and does best when it is grown in a sheltered environment as it loves partial shade.

Ideally the soil should be deep and loamy. Despite these preferences the plant is not overly delicate and can also tolerate sunny areas with a poorer soil.

The shoots of Aralia elata are edible; they are typically harvested in early spring when they are young and then blanched.

Note: In many parts of the USA, especially in the Northeastern states, Aralia elata is classified as an invasive species and ideally not grown by gardeners in those areas.

If you live in an area where this plant is considered invasive, then it is recommended that you grow 'Devil's Walking Stick' (Aralia spinosa) as an alternative.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Aralia elata. You may also enjoy the following growing guides on small trees: How to grow Pistacia and Kousa dogwood.