Also known as Spikenard · 234 gardener saves
Aralia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Aralia, the genus most gardeners know as spikenard. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Aralia varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSun King Japanese Spikenard
Aralia cordata 'Sun King'
#2 most savedAmerican Spikenard
Aralia racemosa
#3 most savedJapanese Spikenard
Aralia cordata
Kashmir Aralia
Aralia cachemirica
How to grow Aralia
What the Aralia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Aralia year
- MulchMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to retain soil moisture
- PruneFebruary75% of varieties
Remove any dead or damaged wood in late winter
- PlantMarch and September50% of varieties
Plant bare root or container plants in spring or fall
- DivideFebruary and September50% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or fall
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems to the ground before new growth emerges
- FertilizeMarch50% of varieties
Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer or compost in spring
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Prune dead or damaged stems in early spring
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged stems to encourage healthy new growth
Avoid
- Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause legginess ❌
- Do not expose to full sun, it prefers shade or partial shade
- Refrain from dry conditions that stress the plant
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Aralia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Webbing on foliage | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide as needed |
Making more Aralia
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-drained soil
- Maintain high humidity for 6 weeks
Division
- Dig up the plant in early spring or fall
- Gently divide the root clump into sections
- Plant divisions immediately at the same depth
- Water thoroughly and mulch
Aralia questions
How many types of Aralia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Aralia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 234 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Aralia grow in?
Across its varieties, Aralia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Aralia bloom?
Most Aralia varieties bloom in late summer, mid-summer, mid to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Aralia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Aralia shows up in
Design with Aralia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
