Schefflera Plant Care Guide: 5 Care Tips for Umbrella Trees

Schefflera is a tropical plant genus from the Araliaceae family, commonly grown indoors as a low-maintenance houseplant. Native to Taiwan and Hainan, the evergreen shrub thrives in warm, wet climates in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12.

The two most common Schefflera species grown as houseplants are Schefflera arboricola (the dwarf umbrella plant) and Schefflera actinophylla (the umbrella plant or octopus plant). The tropical plant is commonly known as the umbrella plant or umbrella tree due to its bright green or yellow leaves that grow in clusters resembling small umbrellas.

The two most common types of Schefflera houseplants include:

• Schefflera arboricola: Also called dwarf Schefflera or dwarf umbrella tree, Schefflera arboricola is the most common umbrella tree for sale at most garden centers. The plant has small, perky green leaves and can reach up to five feet tall. Cultivars include ‘Renate’ and ‘Gold Capella.’ The Schefflera arboricola is often sold under the general name “umbrella plant.”
• Schefflera actinophylla: Also called the umbrella tree or octopus tree, Schefflera actinophylla has large, drooping green leaves and can reach up to 15 feet tall.

The easiest way to propagate Schefflera plants is to use stem cuttings:

1. 1. Cut a stem. Cut a stem off the base of your mother plant, just below a leaf node (the joint where the leaves connect to the main stem).
2. 2. Root the stem. Place the cut stem into a container of water, or dip it in rooting hormone and plant it directly into a small pot with soil and drainage holes. After a couple of weeks, the cutting should begin to root in the water or potting soil.
3. 3. Repot. If you propagated your cutting in water, transplant it into the soil once the new roots are about three inches long. If you propagated your cutting in soil, you can continue growing it in the new pot until it outgrows it.

If you just purchased your first Schefflera plant, or if it’s time to repot, here’s how to plant it:

1. 1. Select a home. While Schefflera plants can survive in medium light, they prefer at least four hours of bright indirect light; too much light (especially direct sunlight) can burn the leaves, while not enough light will cause your plant to become leggy and malnourished. Keep the plant in a spot that doesn’t receive direct sun (like a south-facing window) or choose a spot with bright light (like an east-facing or west-facing window) and filter the light through a curtain.
2. 2. Choose the right container. When first potting your Schefflera, choose a pot that’s only slightly bigger than the root ball. Excess soil holds moisture, which can adversely affect the plant’s growth. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to run off and prevent over-soggy soil, which can lead to root rot.
3. 3. Prepare the soil. Your plant will need well-draining soil rich in organic matter to thrive. Fill the pot with a few inches of soil as you prepare to repot it.
4. 4. Repot. Squeeze the garden center pot to loosen the soil around the roots, and then turn the plant gently on its side and ease it out of the pot. Carefully place the plant in the new pot, and fill around it with fresh soil.
5. 5. Water. Immediately after planting, water your Schefflera to settle the soil and hydrate the plant.

Schefflera plants are low-maintenance houseplants that require only basic care:

1. 1. Water regularly. Schefflera plants are drought-tolerant so that they can handle brief periods of low water. For the best results, water your plant regularly once the top two inches of soil are dry. Avoid overwatering; excess moisture can lead to root rot.
2. 2. Clean the leaves. Any indoor plant will slowly accumulate dust on its leaves, which can inhibit the photosynthesizing process and harm the plant. Every month or two, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the dust off your plant’s leaves.
3. 3. Monitor for pests. Schefflera can become targets for mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, spider mites, and other pests. As you see pests, either pinch them off or treat your plants with natural pest control, like insecticidal soap or neem oil, in infestation cases.
4. 4. Prune occasionally. Schefflera can grow wild and benefit from occasional pruning—the plants are often used as bonsai trees. Using sharp shears, remove any branches that look sick, old, or withered, and then remove additional branches until your plant is the desired shape and size. New growth should sprout quickly.
5. 5. Repot every few years. Under the right conditions, Schefflera plants can grow quickly and benefit from being repotted once they become root-bound. If you notice your plant’s growth slowing significantly during the growing season, and its roots seem to be forming a thick mass within the pot, it may be time to repot. Choose a pot an inch or two larger than the current pot and give your plant fresh soil to refresh its nutrients.

Schefflera houseplants are toxic to both humans and animals due to high levels of calcium oxalate crystals. The sap can cause mild skin irritation, and ingesting the leaves, bark, or roots can cause nausea. Medical experts recommend wearing gloves when pruning Schefflera plants and keeping them out of reach of children and housepets.

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