Gynura japonica, commonly known as Japanese Gynura or Japanese Velvet Plant, is a semi-deciduous herb native to a range of habitats in East Asia, including forest margins, grassy slopes, and open woodlands. It typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 1.5-3 feet (0.46-0.9 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). The plant is characterized by its velvety leaves and orange or yellow composite flowers that bloom in the summer, adding a splash of color to the garden. The flowers are somewhat showy due to their bright coloration.

Japanese Gynura is valued for its unique foliage texture and vibrant flowers. It is often used in border plantings, as a ground cover, or in container gardens. The plant prefers part shade to full shade, which makes it suitable for understory plantings and shaded garden areas. It thrives in medium draining loam or clay soils and requires medium amounts of water, making it relatively easy to maintain. While not commonly reported, it can occasionally suffer from pests such as aphids or spider mites.CC BY-SA 4.0