Tetrapanax papyrifer 'REX' Chinese rice-paper plant

Rex is a fast-growing cultivar of the rice-paper plant with enormous and strikingly exotic leaves. Depending on the climate zone, it can grow as a deciduous shrub or semi-woody perennial up to 2–2.5 meters tall in Central Europe, or as a small evergreen tree reaching up to 5 meters in subtropical regions. Its gigantic leaves are deeply lobed, up to a meter wide, held on long and sturdy petioles that rarely break. This cultivar is recognizable by the regular cutouts along the leaf edges, as if shaped with cookie cutters. The surface of the leaves and young shoots are covered with fine rusty hairs, which may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. In subtropical climates or greenhouses, it can bloom in late summer with creamy white flowers arranged in spherical clusters that are highly attractive to pollinators. After flowering, small black fruits develop.

In 2007, renowned British gardener Christopher Lloyd mentioned Tetrapanax in his book Exotic Planting for Adventurous Gardeners, describing it as a plant with a prehistoric look and dramatic effect. The Rex cultivar has become an icon of jungle-style gardens that mimic tropical vegetation. Interestingly, even young plants produce enormous leaves, which is unusual for woody species. In some regions, Tetrapanax spreads aggressively via underground runners, earning it the nickname garden Godzilla.

In the garden, Tetrapanax Rex acts as a bold focal point, adding an exotic and architectural character to the composition. It fits well in subtropical borders, alongside modern homes, or in urban gardens where it stands out against clean lines. It pairs beautifully with hardy bananas and hardy begonias, or with dark- or bold-leaved perennials such as ligularia, cimicifuga, or rodgersia. For contrast, it also works well with larger clumps of fine-leaved grasses like Pennisetum, Panicum, or Deschampsia. Due to its size, it is best suited for larger spaces, but it can also be grown in large containers. Due to its massive leaves, other plants may struggle to thrive beneath it, so it’s best used as a dominant feature.

Chinese rice-paper plant prefers sunny to partially shaded locations, sheltered from strong winds. The soil should be humus-rich, well-drained, yet evenly moist – this plant does not tolerate waterlogging, especially in winter. During the growing season, it benefits from regular watering and feeding with a general-purpose fertilizer for leafy plants. In autumn, it’s advisable to mulch generously and protect the root crown from frost using straw, conifer branches, or bark. Under ideal growing conditions the plant tends to form runners, which can create dense colonies. Young plants are best overwintered in a cool, bright space and planted outdoors only when they are strong enough. Verified root hardiness reaches down to –24 °C (–11 °F), while above-ground parts may die back at around –10 °C (14 °F). Depending on the severity of the frost, the plant will re-emerge in spring either from the tips of undamaged stems or from the roots, and we are happy to confirm that in Central Europe, not a single specimen has died so far. Tetrapanax is not toxic, but its hairs may be irritating, so gloves are recommended when handling. It can be grown in large containers, but these must be stored frost-free during winter.

Last update: 14-09-2025