Schefflera is a large genus of tropical plants that includes two species that make wonderful tropical houseplants. The larger Schefflera actinophylla(sometimes called the umbrella plant or umbrella tree) features long, shiny, oval green leaves that droop gracefully from a central stalk, resembling an umbrella. A mature Schefflera might have 12 to 16 leaflets from a single stalk, while an immature Schefflera is more likely to have four to six. Schefflera arboricola (sometimes called dwarf Schefflera) features smaller, glossy leaves, sometimes with creamy variegation. Other than the smaller size, it looks very similar to its taller cousin.
Hardy in USDA hardiness zone 10 to 12, Schefflera pants are usually grown indoors for most of the year in cooler climates but can be taken outdoors for the warmer months, where they will thrive alongside other tropical plants. However, Schefflera plants typically have to be grown outdoors to display their show of long red, white, or pink tentacle-like flowers. Plants grown indoors rarely produce flowers.
Schefflera plants are fast-growing plants, especially if planted outdoors, where they can add three feet per year. Indoor plants are slower-growing, especially if you keep them somewhat confined in a tight-fitting container. If you are planting a Schefflera in a warm climate garden, they are best planted in spring or fall when the weather is not blazing hot.
All parts of the Schefflera plant are mildly toxic to humans and more seriously toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
| Common Name | Schefflera, umbrella plant, umbrella tree |
| Botanical Name | Schefflera spp. |
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Plant Type | Broadleaf evergreen |
| Mature Size | 4 to 6 feet. tall, 3 to 6 feet wide (indoors); up to 25 feet tall (outdoors) |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light |
| Soil Type | Rich and moderately moist |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic (6.0-6.5) |
| Bloom Time | Summer (outdoors) |
| Flower Color | White, pink, or red (indoor plants rarely bloom) |
| Hardiness Zones | 10–12 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Taiwan |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic humans, toxic to pets |
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Watch Now: How to Grow the Schefflera Plant (Umbrella Plant)
Schefflera Care
Schefflera are not difficult plants to grow if they receive plenty of indirect light, warmth, and humidity. In very cold climates, bottom heat might be necessary. Leggy Schefflera can be pruned to encourage a fuller plant.
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Light
Schefflera prefers bright, indirect light. In the summer, move potted plants outside where they will receive bright light but not direct sun, such as under a patio cover. A Schefflera plant that gets leggy or floppy might not be receiving enough light.Never place a Schefflera in direct, full sunlight because the intense sun can burn the leaves.
Soil
If growing indoors, plant Schefflera in a rich, loose, well-drained potting soil. When grown outdoors, a well-draining, sandy loam soil with a slightly acidic pH is ideal.Avoid planting in an outdoor location where the soil becomes too wet or waterlogged.
Water
Water regularly during the growing season and spray the leaves with water frequently. Wait until the soil in the pot dries out and then give it a deep and thorough soaking. Cut back on water during the winter months. Overwatering a Schefflera plant will eventually kill it.Yellow and dropped leaves are a sign that you might be watering too much.
Temperature and Humidity
Because it is a tropical plant, Schefflera requires fairly high humidity and tropical temperatures; it will suffer in temperatures lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not expose these plants to drafts or dry heating vents. An underwatered or cold Schefflera will begin to drop leaves quickly, so take leaf-drop seriously and correct the issue if it occurs. If the plant loses all of its leaves, you can attempt to save the plant by moving it outdoors in the spring and watering generously.
Fertilizer
Feed Schefflera plants twice a week during the growing season with liquid fertilizer, or use two applications of slow-release pellets. They are heavy feeders and will benefit from the extra nutrients.
Types of Schefflera
Of the many species in the Schefflera genus, two are common houseplants:
- Schefflera actinophylla:This most common Schefflera has oval leaves that grow up to ten inches from a central stalk. It can be quite a large 50-foot specimen outdoors, but indoor potted specimens usually reach 15 feet tall.
- S. arboricola:This smaller version, popular in home gardens, has one- to two-inch leaves that grow in tight clusters; it is a variegated variety of this plant, with creamy blotches on its leaves. It can grow as tall as 25 feet outdoors, but houseplants are normally kept to no more than six feet. Popular cultivars include 'Dazzle', a variegated form with nearly white leaves; 'Gold Capella', a yellow and green variegated form; 'Trinette', a white and cream variegated plant; and 'Dwarf', which has dark green leaves and grows to only about four feet tall.
Pruning
Your Schefflera might need to be pruned occasionally, especially if it is not getting quite enough light. Cut off what you feel is overgrown or appearing leggy. Schefflera houseplants rebound quickly from pruning and will reward your efforts. The result will be a fuller and bushier plant.
Propagating Schefflera
It's best to propagate Schefflera in the spring: Doing so keeps your current plant from being too bushy, and provides you with new plants. Schefflera can be propagated by cuttings.
- Using sharp pruners, cut off a six-inch section of stem at a 45-degree angle, and remove all but four or five leaves at the top of the stem.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then place the cut end into a container filled with potting soil.
- Cover the pot with a loosely secured plastic bag to hold in humidity, then place the pot in bright indirect light.
- Check the container daily to make sure the soil remains moist, watering when necessary. Check for root development by lightly tugging on the stem.
- After about a month, if roots have formed, you can remove the plastic bag and continue growing the new plant. If roots don't form (success can be sporadic), discard the cutting and try again with a new cutting.
Potting and Repotting Schefflera
Repot the plants annually or as needed: if they've grown too big for their containers they need new soil and a bigger pot. (You can slow the growth rate and prevent plants from getting too large by prolonging the period between repotting and allowing them to get somewhat rootbound).
If you choose to repot Schefflera, remove it from its container and gently loosen up the roots; it might help to soak them in water. To repot, select a larger container (clay or plastic) that has drainage holes, fill it with a peaty well-drained soil mix.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Both bacterial leaf spot and alternaria leaf spot affect Schefflera. These diseases can easily be remedied by avoiding overhead watering, not watering in the evening, and if these watering practices don't work, applying a copper fungicide.
Indoors, Schefflera are prone to problems with aphids, which leave a honeydew excretion that leads to sooty mold; treat for aphids with a spray of insecticidal soap. Outdoors, the plant is susceptible to several pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects.
Common Problems With Schefflera
Schefflera is a low maintenance plant, but sometimes your plant can exhibit some problems. Here's how to determine what's wrong.
Yellowing Leaves
Overwatering is often the cause when your Schefflera's leaves turn yellow. Try watering less to see if this helps. If not, your plant might not be receiving enough light so move it to a brighter location.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Underwatering is likely the cause for spots on your Schefflera. In that situation, water your plant more regularly during the growing season. A best practice is to water the plant deeply and allow the soil to dry out before before giving it another deep watering.
FAQ
How long do Schefflera plants live?
Outdoor Scheffleras grown in the right hardiness zones can live for decades; indoor specimens can live for 25 years or longer.
(Video) Schefflera Plant Care: What to KnowWhere should I place Schefflera in my home?
A location with lots of bright, indirect light—and a temperature between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit—is the perfect spot for this tropical beauty.
Are there similar plants I can consider?
Money tree (Pachira aquatica) has a similar look to Schefflera, especially if you find a braided variety that will offer a bushier appearance. A native of Central and South America, the money tree is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12 but is commonly grown as an indoor houseplant.
Article Sources
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https://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_common_Name_659/
“Schefflera Are Toxic To Pets.”Pet Poison Helpline, 4 Oct. 2011, https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/schefflera/
“Schefflera Arboricola - Plant Finder.”Missouribotanicalgarden.Org, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276622&isprofile=0&letter=S
FAQs
How do you care for a Schefflera umbrella tree? ›
Water regularly during the growing season and spray the leaves with water frequently. Wait until the soil in the pot dries out and then give it a deep and thorough soaking. Cut back on water during the winter months. Overwatering a Schefflera plant will eventually kill it.
How do I encourage my umbrella plant to grow? ›If you want to speed up how quickly your plant will recover, place the plant outdoors during the summer months. The increased light and humidity outdoors will supercharge your schefflera's growth. You can even give your schefflera another light trimming by late summer to encourage further bushiness if you desire.
How do you encourage the growth of Schefflera? ›Schefflera plants respond well to pruning for height and fullness. As plants age, the lower leaves will fall off, leaving bare stems. To encourage new growth, simply snip off the top of the plant at the desired height. You can also pinch off the growing tips of the plant for bushier growth.
How often should you water a Schefflera? ›Let the soil almost completely dry out between waterings. Typically, you don't want to water your Schefflera more than once every 10 days. Do not water if the top half of the potting medium is still moist. The Schefflera can grow upwards of 8 feet tall indoors.
Why do the leaves keep falling off my umbrella plant? ›An Umbrella Plant dropping leaves is normally a sign of stress due to improper care. Over or underwatering, low light, temperature extremes, repotting, pests, diseases, under/overfeeding, low humidity, or a new location can cause dropping leaves. Old leaves will also drop naturally.
Why do Schefflera leaves fall off? ›Why is my Schefflera plant losing its leaves? If your Schefflera plant is losing its leaves, the soil may be too wet, or conversely, too dry. Additionally, if you frequently move your plant around or expose it to extreme cold or hot, it may also drop its leaves.
Can I cut the top off my umbrella plant? ›All you need to do is to cut a bit of the top growth to make your plant shorter. Making your umbrella plant shorter is easy: simply cut an upright stem just above a growth node. This means cutting right above the spot where the leaf has sprouted.
What kind of soil do umbrella plants like? ›Soil. Your umbrella tree will perform best in a well-drained, sandy potting soil. You can use a general purpose potting soil as well, but add perlite or sand to improve drainage.
How do you get schefflera to branch? ›If you want to promote branching on a Schefflera plant, you want to pinch the growth tip(s) every week or so. Doing this will encourage the new areas to form a branch rather than become stunted.
How do I make my umbrella plant bushy? ›Use a sharp pair of pruners or a knife and make cuts just above leaves. Make cuts to break up denser clumps and to make the plant appear more even. Strategically pruning a Schefflera plant can encourage it to grow out as well as up and make for a denser, more bushy shape.
Does Schefflera like full sun? ›
Not choosy as to light, this attractive plant can take full sun to full shade, and grows fast and lush. What is this? When it's grown in sun, a mature schefflera plant will bloom in late summer with huge funky red flower spikes that give it another common name - "Octopus Tree."
How long does a Schefflera live? ›A Schefflera will usually stay alive between 20 and 25 years, although this depends on how well you care for it. What is this? When it comes to growing Schefflera, you want to plant yours somewhere that gets plenty of indirect sunlight and in a location with moderate winters/year-round weather.
Are coffee grounds good for schefflera plant? ›Fertilize scheffleras regularly with a gentle organic fertilizer. Plants growing in reduced light will need less frequent fertilization than plants growing in bright light. Coffee grounds make an excellent fertilizer for this plant.
How do you know if your umbrella plant needs water? ›To know if your umbrella plant needs more water, check the soil with your finger. If it's moist about an inch down then wait a few days before watering. If the soil feels dry an inch down then you should give the plant a thorough watering.
Do Schefflera like to be root bound? ›Although Schefflera enjoys root-bound conditions to thrive, excessive root binding will slow down the plant's healthy growth. Repotting it to a larger container will ensure the roots expand further for the proliferation of foliage and prevent damage and decay to the root system.
Where do you put an umbrella plant? ›First, on our list on how to care for your Umbrella plant is to place it in a spot where it can receive bright indirect light. It can tolerate direct indoor light and medium-to-low light, but it will become leggy and grow more slowly. Avoid placing your plant under the intense, direct sun because its leaves will burn.
How do you prune an umbrella plant? ›How to Prune a Schefflera Plant : Gardening & Plant Care - YouTube
Will leaves grow back on Schefflera? ›Even young Schefflera can drop leaves when adjusting to a new environment. However, excessive unexplained leaf loss can be cause for concern, as Schefflera will not grow new leaves in the same place as old, dropped leaves.
How do you care for an indoor schefflera plant? ›How To Take Care of the Schefflera Arboricola | Donna Joshi - YouTube
What does umbrella tree symbolize? ›Symbolism: In China, the Umbrella Tree is one of the most commonly used plants in Feng Shui. Its leaves capture positive energy and the plant is said to attract wealth for the residents. The plant's 'umbrella' leaves also provide a protective effect. Includes care instructions.
What is the difference between an umbrella plant and an umbrella tree? ›
All You Need To Know About The Umbrella Tree (Schefflera ...
How often should I water my umbrella tree? ›Water every 7-14 days or as the soil becomes dry. This plant is flexible about watering but will be more tolerant of dry soil than overwatering. Yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering and drooping leaves are a sign it needs more water.
How do you care for an indoor umbrella plant? ›It can tolerate direct indoor light, but it grows well in bright, indirect light. Water thoroughly when the soil in the pot dries out. Be sure to empty the drainage saucer after watering. Humidity levels over 60% will make your indoor Umbrella plant thrive.
How much sun does an umbrella tree need? ›Light. Compact Umbrella Trees like filtered indirect light. Provide them with at least 4 hours of light a day. They will stay healthy and grow properly if they are getting the required light.
How do I make my umbrella plant bushy? ›Use a sharp pair of pruners or a knife and make cuts just above leaves. Make cuts to break up denser clumps and to make the plant appear more even. Strategically pruning a Schefflera plant can encourage it to grow out as well as up and make for a denser, more bushy shape.
How long does an umbrella plant live? ›A Schefflera will usually stay alive between 20 and 25 years, although this depends on how well you care for it. What is this? When it comes to growing Schefflera, you want to plant yours somewhere that gets plenty of indirect sunlight and in a location with moderate winters/year-round weather.
Do umbrella plants like to be root bound? ›You will want to repot your umbrella plant when the tree becomes rootbound, which is usually evidenced by roots poking out of the drainage holes. You may also need to repot in the event of root rot, at which point the emergency repotting may occur at any point in the year.
Should you Mist umbrella plant? ›Your umbrella trees come from a naturally-humid environment. They love moist air, and you can provide that indoors with a plant humidifier. Occasional misting of the leaves with warm water is fine too.
How do you know if your umbrella plant needs water? ›Watering Needs
Water when the top several inches of soil are dry. When watering, water the plant with fresh water lightly and slowly from above, then tip out any excess water. Avoid splashing the leaves when watering to prevent discoloration.
Once an umbrella plant reaches maturity, it will need to be repotted every three years or so. Once the roots start growing through the drainage holes in the pot, it is time to repot.
Why are my umbrella plant leaves turning yellow? ›
An umbrella plant is sensitive to changes in the temperature, humidity, and light. Moving it from one location to another may cause the lower leaves to turn yellow and fall off prematurely, notes Clemson Cooperative Extension. Plants that are root bound or that are not getting enough fertilizer may have yellow leaves.
How do you water Schefflera? ›Water – When growing schefflera, be aware that watering correctly will help to keep your schefflera houseplant healthy. To water correctly, wait until the soil in the pot dries out and then thoroughly soak the soil when you water. Often people will overwater their schefflera plant and this will eventually kill it.
How do you shape an umbrella plant? ›How to Prune a Schefflera Plant : Gardening & Plant Care - YouTube
Is schefflera a lucky plant? ›According to Feng Shui masters, the Schefflera Money Tree or Pachira is thought to bring good fortune and luck to those who place it in their home or office.
How quickly do umbrella plants grow? ›At maturity, umbrella plants can reach heights between 5 and 50 feet. These plants typically grow more than 13 inches each year. So, you'll likely need to prune them to control their heights.
Can you take a cutting from an umbrella plant? ›You can cut an umbrella plant pretty much anywhere to create a cutting. You need a leaf node – those brown spots on the stem – which is where the new roots will grow from. Umbrella plant stems are covered with them, so any cutting at least a few inches long will have several nodes!