Schefflera (Umbrella)

Schefflera (Umbrella) Care

Schefflera actinophylla

Other names: Schefflera, Umbrella Plant, Schefflera Arboricola, Umbrella Tree, Schefflera Plant

What is the plant

Schefflera is a decorative leafy plant. Its main external feature is palmately dissected leaves. One leaf can have 7 or more "fingers".

Schefflera belongs to the Araliaceae family of primarily woody and some herbaceous plants. It grows as a tree or a shrub with the ability to curl. Schefflera trees can reach a height of 16 ft (5 m) in the wild. Indoor specimens are no taller than 7 ft (2 m).
Schefflera leaves resemble an open palm. The Umbrella plant is evergreen, maintaining its attractive appearance regardless of the season. Leaves are intricate. The umbrella has 5-8 leaflets when it is young. Their number grows to 16 as the tree gets older.
Schefflera blooms more frequently in natural growing conditions in the wild. Sometimes it can bloom indoors, although it is an unusual occurrence. You can use a well-trimmed dwarf Umbrella tree for bonsai.
An important fact is that Schefflera is toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Be careful if you have a curious pet at home!

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 12

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Settled soft water will be the best option. You may want to water your plant when you notice that 50-75% of the top soil is dry. Pour the water slowly and thoroughly; stop when it starts coming out of the drainage hole. Please don't leave any moisture in the saucer as it can lead to root rot.
Pruning
To make your bush look more magnificent, you may let several plants sit in one flowerpot. To acquire a tree-like shape, provide regular trimming. Umbrella trees grow really fast. You can trim them any time – just remember not to cut off more than 30% of the plant.
Even if all of the leaves fall off the tree, the plant might be rescued by light pruning. This is only applicable if the root system is in good shape. Hydrate the stump and use moistened moss to cover it. If you do everything correctly, fresh shoots will appear in a while.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the Schefflera using a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. During the growing season (in the spring and summer), feed the plant slightly a couple of times per month. Fertilizers are applied to the soil only after young leaves develop after transplantation.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
This plant adores the sun. It will feel the best on a south-facing windowsill during the autumn-winter season. We highly recommend shading your Umbrella tree in the summer to avoid direct sunshine.
Soil
An Umbrella tree will thrive in well-drained, sandy potting soil. You can buy a ready general-purpose soil mix, but don't forget to add sand or perlite for better drainage. If you are mixing your soil yourself, use 1 part of garden soil, 1 part of humus, and 1 part of coarse sand. A 6.0-6.5 pH is advised.
Propagation
The Umbrella plant can be easily propagated by cuttings, sowing seeds, or air layering. Any method is great as long as you don't forget to sterilize your tools before cutting the plant.

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Temperature
Schefflera grows and develops well at room temperature. The air temperature can dip to 60-65°F (16–18°C) in the winter but not below 54°F (12°C).
Container
A perfect pot for the Umbrella tree will be 1-2 in (2-4 cm) wider than the root ball. It's advisable to keep your green friend in the same size container if you don't want to end up with a monster plant. If you are fine with letting the plant grow, make sure that each new pot should be 2-3 in (5-7 cm) bigger than the previous one.
Check for drainage holes and the ability to remove excess moisture. Clay and ceramic containers are the best when it comes to draining.
Fun fact
Feng Shui experts claim that this plant restores former trust in marriage and helps to strengthen it.