HOUSEPLANTS > genus Schefflera
IN THIS GUIDE
SCHEFFLERA GUIDES
Native to warmer regions of the globe , Schefflera are tropic evergreen plant plants that sum up a lively splashing of colour to any home or garden they ’re locate in , all through the yr .
Their main selling points are their broad - leaved leafage , which beam out from the key shank in an umbrella - like style , give them their soubriquet .
Although they do produce impressive blossoms in their raw habitat , you ’re unlikely to reproduce similar outcome in Britain .
Indeed , their preference for warmer climate means that they ’re most normally develop as houseplants in this country .
Even dwarf varieties can get through up to 3 yard indoors , making them one of the big shrub uncommitted , but they ’ll still go comfortably inside most room and give them a burst of life and zip .
Overview
PreferredBright , Indirect Sunlight
ExposureSheltered
Height0.5 - 1 M
Spread0.1 - 0.5 M
Bloom TimeSummer
PreferredLoam or sand
MoistureMoist but well - debilitate
pHAcidic to electroneutral pH
The shelter - feed nature of its foliage has inspired its common name of the ‘ Umbrella Plant ’ or , more aptly in its native climate , the ‘ Parasol Plant ’ .
However , smaller varieties of the species are commonly uprise as houseplants .
Although this practice is relatively new in the Western world , it ’s one that stretch back millennia in certain parts of Asia .
Common Varieties
in the main speaking , there are two common variety show of Umbrella Plant available in the UK .
Schefflera actinophyllais the original cultivar and can reach heights in excessiveness of 20 MiB when grown outdoors .
But as mentioned above , that rarely occurs in the UK due to the inclement climate on these shore .
Instead , its smaller twin ( S. arboricola ) is prefer as an attractive tropical houseplant .
This can reach 3 one thousand in stature .
Where To Grow Schefflera
genus Schefflera call for bright but collateral sunshine to flourish , so grade them underneath a patio sunshade if develop alfresco and move them at bottom in the wintertime .
lineal sunlight is a no - no since it can make the leaves to cauterise and chocolate-brown .
They ’re unfearing enough to the elements otherwise , but need plenty of watering and will appreciate fertile soil which drains well but can still retain wet .
A slightly acidic mixture ( sandlike loam which resemble their lifelike hobo camp environment ) is ideal .
They command similar stipulation indoors , so ideally you ’ll determine a spot for them near an eastern or northern - facing window .
A gauzy mantle can help to turn away some of the harshest rays of the sun .
Humidity is appreciate but not of the essence , so a bathroom location can work well if available .
Schefflera Houseplant Care
genus Schefflera like their soil to dry out out completely before rewatering .
For that reason , it ’s advisable to check the grime is entirely detached from moisture ( inserting a finger into the top 2 centimetre will do the trick ) before watering them .
When doing so , attempt to avoid getting the leaves fuddled and instead boil down on the land itself .
Give it a thorough soaking so that the water ladder freely from the drain holes in the great deal .
Strictly speak , schefflera plants do not require dress at all .
However , you might find that your specimen is becoming leggy , overgrown or unkempt , especially if it ’s not incur an adequate amount of sunlight .
When pruning , strip back unsightly office of the plant down to 2 - 3 leaf nodes above their stem to retain its shape .
You ’ll find that the industrial plant will reward your effort by redouble on its own to achieve a broad and more shiny tone in no time at all .
“ I discover that rationalise out straggly stems of Schefflera is primal to observe an attractive , compendious shape to the flora when used as a houseplant , ” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ In any other than the most perfect location , there is a tendency for them to pass a bit for the visible radiation in the home . They will respond with vigorous ontogeny , which cater a lush , more shapely show . ”
Fertile land is essential to ensure your Schefflera thrives , whether it ’s planted indoors or outside .
There ’s no need to bestow stones to increase drainage , but a compost with around 1/3 perlite to 2 portion soil in its piece of music is helpful .
Again , plant food is not 100 % necessary so as to keep a healthy and glad industrial plant , but it for certain wo n’t hurt .
As hungry works , they ’ll gain from a monthly practical software of liquid fertiliser in spring and summer and a bimonthly feed in winter .
In the huge majority of case , stake your umbrella plant is not required , since it ’s audacious and strong enough on its own .
If you find that it ’s set about to droop under its own weight or become unwieldy , pruning it is a better form of natural action than staking .
Schefflera plants must be repotted when they have release the space inside their be container .
you could inhibit their maturation by waiting until the last moment when antecedent set about to appear through the drainage holes or curl up around the side of the flowerpot .
When repotting , remove the industrial plant from the stack and gently bug asunder the rootage , soaking them in water to aid with the process if necessary .
Place the root formal in a larger weed which has between 2 - 3 cm of space on all sides of it , then fill it in with a 2/3 grime and 1/3 perlite mixture .
Do n’t squeeze the compost too much , then thoroughly piss once more .
You may be charm to upgrade your flora to a much larger pot at once to save repotting at a later particular date .
This is not advisable , however , since it will conquer the maturation of your schefflera and contribute to a less attractive specimen .
distribute umbrellaplants from cuttingsis a tricky occupation that is potential to bear mixed results .
To attempt it , take a cutting of a healthy bow about 15 atomic number 96 in length , making the prick at a 45 ° angle .
deprive aside all but the upper solidification of leaves ( around 5 - 6 in aggregate ) , then duck the cut end into a rooting hormone mixture .
Plant the cutting intopotting soil , submerging the tip deeply enough to leave it to digest up of its own accord .
Within around a calendar month , new root should have formed , and you may check whether they have by lightly tugging on the stem .
If there is no electric resistance at all , the propagation has not worked .
Common Problems
Although unfearing creatures , Schefflera do suffer from wrong , disease and pestilence at times .
Here are some of the most normally observed tell - tale signs , what they intend and how to counteract them .
If you incur your foliage are curl or wilt , it ’s most potential a foretoken that you ’re not water your works enough .
Remember to altogether hit it up the soil once it has become dried out to the tip that excess H2O runs freely from the bottom of the tummy .
Like wave leaves , swag stems are also indicatory of a thirsty flora .
Your schefflera plant may lose leaves for a routine of reasons .
If the leaf drop are accompanied by curling leave or droop stems , you ’re credibly not watering it enough ; if they ’re not , you may be water it too much !
In either case , take the appropriate legal action to see if it helps .
Alternatively , leaf bead can occur if the plant is located in too cold an environment or is n’t receive enough igniter .
Move it to a warmer , brighter surface area to test if that is the cause of the consequence .
If the leaf of your genus Schefflera is browning , light or otherwise discoloured , it could signify it ’s being burned by the sun .
put a tint nearby to protect it from the smart rays .
On the other bridge player , dark or discoloured leaves could be symptomatic of leafage spot .
plow the flora with a fuzz - based atomiser , then fertilise it more on a regular basis to regenerate optimum nutrient levels .
awkward clean residue on your flora point to the presence ofaphids , which can be rebuff with an insecticidal max aimed at houseplants .
If the development is dark and more powdery in grain , it might be jet-black mildew , which is a by - merchandise of an aphid plague .
Wipe the foliage sporty and undertake the rootage causa .
Meanwhile , webbing material on the foliage or stems is a certain sign thatspider mites are lash out your flora .
utilize neem crude oil or another horticultural merchandise ( rather an organic one ) to get rid .
