PlantFiles: Rice-Paper Tree
Tetrapanax papyrifer

I bought one in spring 08 from PDN. It is in it's second year about 2-3 ft tall now. Sucked this spring so I moved some babies to other spots in the yard. Nice plant. Under drifting shade of oaks. Likes water.

From Botanica Encyclopedia:
This genus consists of one species, an evergreen, suckering shrub or small tree native to Taiwan and possibly another in Japan's Ryukyu Islands. A type of fine 'rice paper' is made from the white pith of the stems of this plant, hence both the common and species names. It is grown in temperate gardens for its very large, fan-like leaves; it works well where an exotic, tropical effect is required and space is available for its often rampant growth.
Cultivation:
Plants do best in mild climates, in sheltered, preferably lightly shaded spots and well-drained soil. Tolerant of salt winds and sandy soil, they adapt well to seaside conditions. Water container plants freely during warmer months. Prune to remove damaged foliage and spent flowerheads, and in winter remove canes at ground level to control the size of the plants. propagate from seed or cuttings in early spring.
Tetrapanax papyrifer
syns Aralia papyrifera, Fatsia papyrifera
This freely suckering shrub grows vigorously to 20' tall and has a similar spread. The huge, umbrella-like, many lobed leaves are a shiny mid-green above, felty underneath. New growth has a distinctive pale brownish bloom. The flowerheads are creamy white, fluffy balls held in large, loose panicles; they appear during fall and are followed by black berries. 'Variegata' has cream to white leaves tinged with bright to dark green.
Zones: 8-11

I have been growing this plant for 3 or 4 years and I love it! Each year it gets taller. Last year it was about 4 ft tall and 5 ft wide. We have heavy clay soil, and it is growing in complete shade. I have not seen any flowers on this plant; it may be because I have not fertilized it. Each year it spreads and about 5 - 10 new plants come up from each plant the last year. I have been digging up the new plants and giving them to friends because it does so well in our area. This is one of my favorite plants because of its hardiness and self-sufficiency. It has spread to areas which get no additional watering other than mother nature.

I first saw this plant in Garden Design magazine last year. They were talking about a variety called, "Steroidal Giant". I am a HUGE fan of large leaved plants so I ordered one from Plant Delights Nursery. It arrived in record time and has already put out 3 new leaves. I am hoping it will get as large as some of the photos I have seen. There is a particularly amazing one on the Little and Lewis website. I think in our far southern climate it would benefit from afternoon shade. I know most large leaved plants have a hard time keeping up with the heat here in Galveston. Wish me luck! **update**
Well, it is safe to say that this plant is not salt tolerant. It was really doing well and then it was inundated in 7 feet of salt water during Hurricane Ike. It is dead. Dead. Dead. Gotta get me a new one now!

Grows in Mobile, AL.
Not much experience. Had them for a few years. Transplants easily ("harvested" mine from the side of the road). Spreads underground in some places AGRESSIVELY and can be a nuisance. Just pinch them off as they come up and pull out the root as much as possible. I have seen it spread 10-15 ft under pavers and rocks. I have not tried it in a planter or big pot. My nick name for these are "tropical weeds."

A very attractive plant. I have sandy soil, to which I add slow release fertilizer once or twice a year. The Fatsia seems to have no objections and grows enthusiatically. It will even tolerate the once or twice we have short freezes.