Schefflera (umbrella tree)
The Schefflera is a houseplant with a graceful and hip appearance that is native to Australia and New Zealand. The nickname of this hip houseplant is 'The Finger Tree', it owes this name to its leaves! The Schefflera is a houseplant with a graceful and hip appearance t...
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The Schefflera: a graceful, stylish houseplant
The Schefflera, also known as the umbrella tree, is a stylish, trendy houseplant that originally comes from Australia and New Zealand. It owes its nickname to its characteristic leaves, which grow in clusters and mimic the shape of a hand. That gives the plant a full, green look, perfect for brightening up your home.
Schefflera belongs to the ivy family (Araliaceae) and comes in several forms, including climbers, trees and bushes. Although the plant originally comes from Oceania, it is now found all over the world, with dozens of different species. Better still, the Schefflera is not only easy to care for, it is air-purifying too!
How much water does the Schefflera need?
The Schefflera is not a demanding plant when it comes to water. In the summer months it likes slightly moist soil, but make sure no water is left standing in the pot, because wet feet can harm the plant. In winter the soil can dry out a little between waterings. If you are in two minds about whether it is time to water, it is better to skip a turn. Once a week in summer and once every ten days in winter is usually enough. If the soil is already dry after three days, give a bit more water next time.
How much water the Schefflera needs depends on several things, such as the temperature, the size of the plant and the pot. Experiment a little at the start to find out what works best for your plant. And do not forget to mist the plant regularly: it removes dust so more sunlight reaches the leaves, and it also helps keep pests away.
The right spot for a Schefflera
The Schefflera prefers a bright spot without too much direct sun; three to five hours of direct sunlight a day is plenty. Lighter Schefflera varieties, recognisable by their paler leaves, need a little more light than the dark green ones. These houseplants like warmth, with a minimum of 14 degrees during the day and 8 degrees at night. Keep the plant out of draughts, because that makes it more prone to aphids.
The leaves of the Schefflera are changing colour
The Schefflera is easy to look after, but problems can crop up, and the plant makes them clear through its leaves. Too little sunlight can turn the leaves brown or yellow and make them drop. The fix is simple: move the plant somewhere sunnier and it will recover. Curling leaves can point to a lack of water. Do not give extra water when the leaves are brown, because too much water can lead to root rot. If the plant gets too much light, the leaves can take on a yellow cast and lose their bright colour. In that case a spot with less sun is better.
Repotting the Schefflera
The Schefflera grows slowly, so repotting is usually only needed after three years. If you want to move the plant into a different pot for the look of it, do that in spring, so any damaged roots can recover properly. Choose a pot at least 20% wider than the last one, so the plant has enough room to grow.
Giving the Schefflera extra plant food
Six to eight weeks after you buy it, the Schefflera will have used up the nutrients in its potting soil. Give the plant some extra liquid houseplant food during the growing season (spring and summer), but never more than the packaging says. Too much plant food can do harm.
Is the Schefflera a toxic houseplant?
The Schefflera is not toxic to touch, but the sap contains calcium oxalate, which can irritate the skin. If the sap is swallowed it can cause mouth irritation and vomiting. Bear that in mind if you have pets or small children.
Common diseases in the Schefflera
The Schefflera is prone to mealybug, especially when it stands in a draught. If you spot pests, try a jet of water first. If that does not work, you can use a biological or chemical treatment.
Pruning the Schefflera
Even though the Schefflera grows slowly, it is worth pruning it every autumn. That lets winter sunlight reach the heart of the plant more easily. Come spring, the plant will put out more shoots and branches, which makes for a fuller plant. Prune the shoots back to the crown to keep the plant in shape.
Propagating the Schefflera
The Schefflera can be propagated from cuttings, although success is not guaranteed. Cut a cutting of about 10 centimetres and remove the lowest leaf, so that two leaves are left. Put the cutting in water at a temperature of around 24 degrees. Cover it with a plastic bag to raise the temperature and the humidity. Once it has roots, the young plant can be carefully potted up.
The Schefflera in flower
Scheffleras can produce beautiful flowers, but they rarely do so as a houseplant, because conditions indoors are often less than ideal. The plant also needs to reach a certain size and age before it will flower. With a bit of luck, you might be one of the lucky ones who gets to see it!
Buying a Schefflera at Green Bubble
If you are looking for a beautiful, full Schefflera as a houseplant, you have come to the right place at Green Bubble! We work directly with growers to guarantee the freshness and quality of our plants. Order your Schefflera easily through our webshop and we will deliver it to your door free of charge.
Fancy bringing a beautiful Schefflera into your home? Join the Green Bubble!
