Varieties, Benefits, and How to Care Guide
Are you looking for a unique plant to grace your indoor space? An Umbrella Tree would be an ideal choice. The Schefflera Umbrella plant provides a luxurious high-end look with its lush foliage. Besides, you can choose a plant variety that aligns with your needs and style. A dwarf Umbrella Tree variety will fit nicely in your home if you have limited space. On the other hand, if you want to make use of your large floor space, a large Schefflera plant would be a perfect choice. Keep reading to find out more.
What is an Umbrella Tree?
The Umbrella Tree is a popular tropical houseplant that adds texture to your home with its striking features. The plant gets its name from its foliage that resembles an umbrella. The Schefflera plant is available in several varieties large and small.
Umbrella plant varieties have oval leaves that can be variegated or solid-colored. This plant produces flowers when grown outdoors but rarely blooms indoors. A Schefflera plant is one of the best types of indoor plants that you can grow in your home.
The plant has unique foliage that enhances the beauty of your home. In the right conditions, your Schefflera plant will thrive and maintain its attractive appearance. Large Umbrella Tree varieties can grow up to 10 feet tall while dwarf Umbrella Tree varieties can be as short as 4 feet.
How quickly do Umbrella Trees grow?
How quickly an Umbrella Tree grows depends on its variety and growing conditions. A healthy Umbrella Tree grows pretty fast. With proper growing conditions, most Umbrella Tree varieties are can grow up to 3 feet annually outdoors. Indoor Umbrella Tree varieties remain smaller and can grow anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall.
Benefits of Umbrella Tree plant
Below are some benefits of growing a Schefflera plant indoors.
Adds ornamental value
Schefflera plants are attractive and distinctive plants that enhance the aesthetics of your home. The plant has lush foliage that adds a touch of elegance and class to your home. You can place your home at a strategic point in your home to enhance your décor.
Has air-purifying properties
The Umbrella plant is one of the best air-purifying plants you can grow in your home. This plant removes toxic pollutants from indoor air and produces oxygen. If you suffer from allergies and respiratory issues, a Schefflera plant would come in handy.
Schefflera Umbrella Tree Varieties
There are different types of Schefflera houseplants you can consider growing indoors. Below are several Schefflera varieties with pictures.
Dwarf Schefflera (Schefflera arbicola)
Also known as the Hawaiian Schefflera, the Dwarf Schefflera is a compact Schefflera tree variety suitable for small spaces. This plant has small oval green leaves that grow from a short trunk. This Umbrella Tree variety can grow up to 4 feet tall. This plant is also easy to maintain and will last long with proper care.
Alpine Schefflera (Schefflera alpine)
The Alpine Schefflera is one of the large Umbrella Tree varieties that you can grow in your home. Unlike other Schefflera types, this plant can tolerate cool temperatures. This plant has glossy ovate green leaves that add a luxurious feel to any space. The plant needs a lot of space indoors since it can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Gold Capella Schefflera (Schefflera arbicola ‘Gold Capella’)
The Gold Capella Schefflera is one of the dwarf Schefflera houseplant types with attractive foliage. This plant features lush dark-green oval leaves with golden-yellow variegation. The Gold Capella Schefflera plant adds color and beauty to your space.
Australia Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
The Australia Umbrella Schefflera is a unique Schefflera variety with eye-catching lush foliage. The plant features large oval glossy green leaves that add a bold effect to your home. This Umbrella Tree plant can grow up to 2 meters indoors.
False Aralia (Schefflera elegantissima)
The False Aralia is a distinctive Schefflera Tree variety that adds a tropical feel to your home. The plant has long narrow serrated burgundy leaves that turn green as the plant matures. The plant’s leaves grow from a long slender stem giving your plant an elegant look.
Janine Schefflera (Schefflera arbicola ‘Janine’)
The Janine Schefflera is a dwarf Schefflera Umbrella plant that brightens a dull space. This compact plant has small variegated leaves with green and creamy-white hues. The plant would be ideal for small spaces. You can place your plant on a tabletop or a shelf to display its attractive foliage.
Madame De Smet Schefflera (Schefflera ‘Madame De Smet’)
The Madame De Smet Schefflera is a variegated Schefflera tree variety with glamorous foliage. This plant has small dark-green leaves with golden-white variegation. The Madame De Smet Schefflera is a compact plant that would look great in your home.
Amate Schefflera (Schefflera ‘Amate’)
The Amate Schefflera is an eye-catching Schefflera variety with bold foliage. The plant has long oval glossy green leaves that add a bold and dramatic effect to your home. The plant’s lush foliage enhances your décor and acts as a focal point of your home.
Schefflera Trinette (Schefflera Trinette)
The Schefflera Trinette is a unique variegated Schefflera variety that adds a touch of luxury to your home. Its lush foliage adds a tropical feel to your home. The plant features green leaves with golden-yellow variegation.
Taiwanese Schefflera (Schefflera taiwaniana)
The Taiwanese Schefflera is a very attractive Schefflera variety that would make an excellent indoor plant addition. The plant has glossy green leaves that make a dramatic statement in your home. The Taiwanese Schefflera thrives indoors under ideal conditions.
How do you care for an indoor Umbrella Tree?
Most Schefflera plants are relatively easy to care for. Umbrella Tree care involves providing ideal growing conditions to encourage healthy growth. Below is how to care for Umbrella Tree.
Schefflera plant light
Like most indoor plants, Schefflera requires adequate lighting to flourish. This plant thrives in bright to medium indirect sunlight. While the Umbrella Tree can tolerate low-light conditions, it might grow slowly and appear stretchy. If you don’t have access to enough natural lighting, you can use artificial lights.
How much sun does an Umbrella plant need?
Most Schefflera houseplants require at least 4 hours of bright indirect light to flourish. The Umbrella plant can also survive in medium lighting indoors. Consider rotating your plant regularly to encourage uniform light absorption. Rotating your plant also promotes uniform growth.
Does Schefflera like full sun?
No. A Schefflera plant can’t tolerate long-term exposure to full sunlight. Full sunlight can scorch your plant’s foliage and damage your plant. instead, place your Schefflera plant near a window that receives bright indirect light. You can also use curtain sheers or window films to shield your plant from direct sunlight rays.
Umbrella plant water
The Umbrella plant has moderate watering needs. This plant is prone to overwatering and root rot and would rather remain dry than be too wet. However, you should not allow your plant to dry out completely. Just the right amount of water will keep your plant healthy.
How often do you water an Umbrella Tree?
How often to water Umbrella Tree depends on how fast the soil dries out. On average, the Umbrella tree needs watering about once every 1 to 2 weeks. The location of your plant, size of the pot, type of soil, and season are some factors that determine how often you should water your plant.
Your plant needs regular watering in the summer and spring and infrequent watering during winter. A plant in a bright spot dries out quicker than a plant in a dark spot. Some types of soil can also retain moisture better than others.
How long can a Schefflera go without water?
One Schefflera plant can go longer without water than another depending on factors such as its location, its size, the season, and the type of soil, among others. Most Umbrella plant varieties need watering every 7 to 14 days. Check the soil for dryness before watering your Umbrella tree.
How do you water an Umbrella Tree?
Using a watering can or container, water your Umbrella Tree uniformly at the base of its stems. Water your plant thoroughly until water drains out of the drainage holes. Allow the excess water to drain completely before returning your plant to its spot. Water your plant just enough to keep the soil moist but not wet.
What does an overwatered Umbrella plant look like?
An overwatered Umbrella plant begins to exhibit some signs that can help you diagnose the problem. Here is what an overwatered Schefflera plant looks like.
- Yellowing leaves
- Droopy leaves
- Mushy stems and leaves
- Wet soil
If your Umbrella plant is overwatered, you should stop watering it and allow it to dry out. In severe cases, your plant might develop root rot. When this happens, you can try to salvage your plant by examining its roots. If the roots appear brown or black, you might be dealing with root rot.
You can save your plant by removing the damaged roots and repotting the plant in fresh potting soil. Also, remove the damaged leaves and allow your plant to dry out
Should I bottom-water my Umbrella plant?
Yes. You can water your Umbrella plant from below and allow the roots to soak up enough moisture to sustain your plant. Allow your plant to sit in a vessel with water for some time. Allow excess water to drain off and return your plant to its location.
Schefflera plant soil type
Your Indoor Schefflera plant will thrive in loose soil with good drainage. Schefflera plants also do well in soil that is rich in organic matter.
What soil is best for Schefflera?
Umbrella plants thrive in rich fast-draining soil with good aeration. The soil should also be slightly acidic. A general-purpose potting mix with compost, sand, perlite, and peat moss would be ideal for your Umbrella plant.
Sand and perlite enhance drainage while peat moss improves aeration and retains adequate moisture. Compost provides the nutrients your plant needs to flourish.
Do Scheffleras like moist soil?
Yes. Scheffleras like consistently moist soil. The soil should just be slightly moist but not too soggy. Wet soil can cause root rot which might damage your plant. On the other hand, too dry conditions can dehydrate your plant making it lose its leaves and eventually die.
Umbrella plant humidity and temperature
Most Schefflera houseplants have tropical origins and require warm and humid conditions to survive. The ideal temperature range for your Schefflera plant is 65 to 90 degrees.
Don’t overexpose your plant to low temperatures as it might become stressed and begin losing its leaves. To increase humidity levels indoors, you can regularly mist your plant or use a humidifier. Try to keep your plant away from air vents and drafty doors or windows.
What temperature is too cold for an Umbrella plant?
Temperatures below 55˚C can be too cold for your Umbrella Tree. When you expose your plant to low temperatures for too long, it begins to lose its leaves and might die.
Do Umbrella plants like humidity?
Yes. Umbrella Trees are humidity-loving houseplants that prefer moderate to high humidity levels, preferably about 75% or more. You can maintain humidity levels indoors using a humidifier. Your plant might also benefit from regular misting. A humidity tray containing pebbles and water can effectively increase humidity levels indoors.
Schefflera plant fertilizer
Schefflera Houseplants require regular feeding to remain healthy. Consider regularly feeding your plant during the growing season to promote healthy plant growth.
What is the best plant food for umbrella Tree?
We recommend using a balanced liquid fertilizer to feed your Umbrella Tree. You can dilute a liquid fertilizer to half-strength and feed your plant 1 to 2 times weekly when watering. You can also use slow-release pellets to feed your Schefflera plant. Try not to over-fertilize your plant to avoid damaging its roots.
How often should I fertilize my Schefflera?
How often you should fertilize your Schefflera depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and its strength. We recommend feeding your Umbrella plant every 1 to 2 months during spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Alternatively, you can dilute your liquid fertilizer to half-strength and feed your plant every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. 2 applications of slow-release fertilizer during the growing season can also suffice.
Re-potting Umbrella Trees
Schefflera plants are fast-growers and can outgrow their containers. If your plant looks overcrowded, it. would be the ideal time to re-pot it
When should I repot my Umbrella Tree?
You should repot your Umbrella plant when it outgrows its pot. Some signs that can let you know when to repot your plant include roots protruding from drainage holes or on the soil’s surface. Your plant might also topple over easily.
On average, an Umbrella plant requires repotting every 2 to 3 years. The best time to repot Umbrella Tree is during early spring when it is more likely to grow. During spring, your plant is also likely to recover easily from repotting stress.
Do Umbrella Trees need big pots?
Yes. Umbrella plants are fast-growing houseplants that can outgrow small pots quickly. A pot that is one size larger than your plant’s root ball would be ideal for your Umbrella Tree.
The idea is to provide the ample space the roots need to expand. Your pot should also be big enough to support the weight of the Umbrella Tree. As your plant grows, you will need to repot it into a larger pot.
How to repot Umbrella Tree
Here is how you repot a Schefflera plant.
- Lift your plant gently from the old container
- Free up the roots carefully
- Select a slightly larger pot to re-pot your plant.
- Ensure your pot has enough drainage holes
- Use fresh fast-draining loose soil to plant your Schefflera houseplant
Pruning Umbrella plants
A Schefflera plant grows quickly and can become crowded. You should regularly prune your Schefflera plant to keep it looking its best. Cut off overgrown branches and remove dead or damaged leaves. Pruning at the main branch will encourage growth.
How do you make an Umbrella plant bushy?
You can encourage bushier growth by trimming the tips of your Umbrella tree. Cut the stems of your plant just above the growth nodes. If you want a tall and bushier plant, trim both upright and horizontal stems. For a shorter and bushier plant, trim horizontal stems.
How do I fix my leggy Umbrella plant?
If your Umbrella plant appears spindly, you can give it a trim to restore its appeal. Trim overgrown stems to make your plant neat.
Propagating Schefflera plants
You can add more Umbrella trees to your collection through propagation.
How to propagate Umbrella Tree
The easiest way to propagate a new Schefflera plant is using stem cuttings. Here is how you propagate a Schefflera plant.
- Cut off a stem at the base of your plant with 4 to 5 leaves.
- Place your cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in well-draining soil
- If you prefer using water, place your cutting in a jar with water
- Cover your cutting with a plastic bag if you prefer planting in soil
- Place your cutting near an adequate light source and keep the soil moist
- Wait for roots to develop and remove the plastic bag
- If your cutting develops roots in water, transfer your cutting to soil and keep it moist
Do Umbrella Trees grow from cuttings?
Yes. Umbrella plants can grow from stem cuttings. You can easily propagate the stem cuttings in water or soil. You will need to take your cutting from a healthy part of the stem. Your cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and include at least one leaf node.
Can you propagate Umbrella plants in water?
Yes. You can propagate your Umbrella plant in water. Below is how to propagate a Schefflera plant in water.
- Using a clean pair of scissors or pruning shears cut a section of a stem that is about 4 to 6 inches long
- Your cutting should include a growth node where the roots will sprout and a few leaves
- Remove the lower leaves and place your cutting in a jar of water
- Place your cutting in a spot that receives indirect bright lighting
- Roots should form in several weeks
- Transfer your cutting into fresh potting soil
Umbrella Tree pests and diseases
Your Schefflera plant is prone to pest infestations. Such pests include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. If you notice any pests, you can use insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
Schefflera houseplants are also susceptible to diseases such as Alternaria leaf spots and bacterial leaf spots. You can use fungicides to get rid of the disease. Avoid watering your plant’s leaves directly to prevent diseases in the future.
What diseases do indoor Umbrella Trees get?
Indoor Umbrella Trees are prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. You can treat your Schefflera plant by removing infected plant parts and applying the right fungicides. Below are some common diseases you can look out for.
- Leaf Blight
- Powdery Mildew
- Fungal Leaf Spot
- Root rot
- Bacterial Leaf Spot
How do you treat fungus on an umbrella plant?
You can treat fungal infections by removing the infected plant parts. For severe infections, consider applying fungicides. You can also transfer your plant from the infected soil and use fresh soil to repot your plant.
Schefflera toxicity
Before growing an Umbrella tree indoors, you need to know whether it is toxic or not. You don’t want your cat or dog nibbling on a plant that can affect their health.
Are Umbrella Trees poisonous?
Yes. Schefflera houseplants are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. The plant contains calcium oxalates which cause mouth irritation, vomiting, and respiratory problems when ingested. Try to keep your plant away from your pets or children.
Is Umbrella plant toxic to cats?
Yes. All parts of a Schefflera plant are toxic to cats and cause irritation when ingested. If your cat eats an Umbrella plant you might notice symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the mouth, throat, and tongue. Consider keeping your plant away from your cat.
Is Umbrella plant toxic to dogs?
Yes. The Umbrella plant is toxic to dogs. When ingested, the Umbrella plant causes gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and swelling of the mouth. If your dog eats Schefflera, you should consider seeking medical help. To prevent issues in the future, place your plant out of reach.
Schefflera plants are glamorous indoor plants that add a tropical vibe to any space. Solid-colored varieties make a statement in your home while variegated Schefflera varieties add a pop of color to your home. You can select a houseplant that adds some personality to your home from the many varieties available. If you own pets, try to place your plant out of their reach to prevent poisoning. For more information, reach out to us today.
FAQS About Umbrella Plant
How do I keep my Umbrella plant happy?
Providing proper growing conditions is the key to keeping your plant happy. Water your plant when the top few inches of the soil feel dry. Let the soil be slightly moist but not too wet. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright indirect sunlight to maximize growth.
Plant your Umbrella Tree in fast-draining soil and use a container with enough drainage holes. Try to maintain moderate humidity levels indoors and keep the temperatures consistent. Occasionally prune your Schefflera to keep it looking its best.
Why do Umbrella plants drop leaves?
Umbrella plants drop their eaves due to several reasons. Below is why your Schefflera plant might be losing its leaves.
Improper watering
Too much or too little water can cause leaf drop. When your plant lacks enough water, it responds by dropping its leaves to conserve energy. These leaves turn yellow or brown before dropping off.
On the other hand, if your plant is getting too much water, its roots begin to rot and the leaves turn yellow and brown before falling off. To save your plant, you should either water it or cut back on watering depending on the problem. Check the soil to be sure.
Lack of sufficient lighting
If your Umbrella Tree is losing its leaves, consider checking the lighting conditions. An Umbrella plant that grows in the dark might start shedding its leaves to preserve energy. In this case, moving your plant to a brighter location can prevent it from losing more leaves.
Low temperatures
Your Umbrella plant might begin losing its leaves when exposed to low temperatures for too long. This plant loves warm conditions and drafty conditions will make your plant lose its leaves. Consider moving your plant away from cold areas.
Why are the leaves of my Umbrella plant turning brown and dropping?
There are several reasons the leaves of your Umbrella Tree could be turning brown and eventually dropping off. Here are some of the reasons why your plant’s leaves are turning yellow and dropping.
Underwatering
A Schefflera plant can tolerate mild drought. However, when the plant becomes too dry, its leaves turn brown and crispy and eventually drop off. Give your plant a thorough watering to help it recover from under-watering. Don’t let the soil dry out completely before you water your plant. Instead, water your plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Low humidity
While an Umbrella plant can tolerate household humidity conditions, when the air becomes too dry indoors, the leaves might begin to turn brown. You can salvage your plant by increasing humidity indoors using a humidifier. You can also opt to mist the leaves of your plant regularly.
How long do Schefflera trees live?
The lifespan of Schefflera plants depends on the level of care they receive. On average, most indoor Umbrella plants can live anywhere from 20 to 25 years or more with proper care. If you want your plant to live long, consider providing ideal growing conditions. Provide enough water, lighting, humidity, and consistent temperatures.
Where do Umbrella plants grow best?
Most Umbrella plant varieties grow best in rich fast-draining soil. The soil should be consistently moist but not too wet. These plants do well in bright indirect lighting. Be sure to protect your plant from intense bright sunlight that can scorch its leaves. Umbrella plants also prefer to grow in warm humid conditions.
Is Umbrella plant good luck?
Yes. In some cultures, the Umbrella plant symbolizes good luck. In Feng Shui, the leaves of the Umbrella plant are believed to bring positive energy and attract prosperity and good fortune. The Umbrella-shaped leaves are thought to have a protective effect against bad energy.
To attract wealth, good fortune, and positive energy, you should place your Umbrella plant in strategic positions indoors. A spot near the front door protects from bad energy while a position near the left rear attracts prosperity.
How do I get my umbrella plant to flower?
An indoor umbrella plant rarely blooms. However, when grown outdoors, the Umbrella plant can produce beautiful blooms. To encourage blooming, you should consider taking your plant outdoors occasionally during spring or summer. Ensure your plant gets lots of indirect bright light. Water your plant regularly when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Is Umbrella plant good for my home?
Yes. An Umbrella plant would make a great indoor plant. This beautiful plant adds personality and charm to your home with its lush foliage. Large Umbrella plants make a bold statement in your home with their towering heights. Schefflera is also a low-maintenance plant that thrives with little attention.
What are common problems with Umbrella plants?
Below are some common problems that your Umbrella plant might suffer from.
Overfertilizing
Too much fertilizer can affect your Umbrella plant causing it to lose its leaves. You can get rid of the excess fertilizer by flushing it out through watering. Ensure excess water drains out of the soil to prevent another overwatering problem.
Low temperatures
Extremely low temperatures can damage your Umbrella plant. When exposed to low temperatures for too long, your Umbrella plant might begin to lose its leaves. Always ensure the temperatures are above 50 degrees indoors.
Repotting stress
Your Umbrella tree might suffer from repotting stress and lose its leaves. Try to repot your plant during spring and summer to increase the chances of recovery.
How do I know if my Schefflera plant is dying?
A dying Schefflera plant changes its appearance before it eventually dies. Your plant might die from overwatering, underwatering, frost, pest infestation, and more. You can look out for the following warning signs.
- Browning leaves
- Yellowing leaves
- Wilting leaves
- Stunted growth
- Loss of leaves
Once you recognize the signs, you can try to save your plant before it’s too late. You can adjust your watering schedule, move your plant to a better location, get rid of pests, apply fungicides, or repot your plant depending on what is causing its death.