Umbrella trees originated from China but, some other varieties and species originated from Australia. Umbrella plants have been known to grow to over 80 feet in their native habitats. Schefflera actinophylla comes from the forest of Australia, New Guinea, and Java. They can handle direct sunlight outdoors, but indoor plants will quickly become burned and discolored if left too close to a window. Schefflera. Plant in a pot with a drainage hole, ideally in a peat-moss-based potting mix. In the growing months of Spring and Summer, good light levels, regular watering and feeding along with warmth will give your plant a cheetah speed of houseplant growth. As tropical plants that only survive outdoors in USDA zones 10 and up, Umbrella plants prefer warm temperatures. Schefflera plant / Octopus Tree care. Some people also report success with rooting stems in water before planting in soil. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We're committed to showcasing the best in floral and plant design, sharing our experience and recommendations on the best blooms and greenery for every occasion, season, and living environment, and spreading our love of the enchanting world of flowers and plants. Schefflera (AKA Umbrella plants) are relatively large shrubs or small trees that make great statement pieces as house plants. It is accustomed to the dim light of your home and cannot adapt to bright sunlight outdoors. However, Umbrella plants grown indoors will typically reach 4 to 6 feet in height. A native of the forests of Taiwan, Schefflera arboricola can get 26 to 30 feet tall (8-9 m) outdoors, though it will generally top out at 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m) tall indoors. Enjoy! There are two very important parts to proper schefflera care. Repot every few years in the spring. Keep it in indirect light and warmer than 70 degrees F and give it a few weeks to root. A common complaint about schefflera plants is that they get leggy and floppy. Use a soil mix comprising two parts peat moss to one part perlite and one part compost. On a schefflera the growth nodes, the place on a stem where new growth can develop, are located at the point on the stems where the leaves sprout. Some Eastern religious groups also use it as a symbol of ordered and methodical energy due to the clustered arrangement of its leaves. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Umbrella element of its various names comes from the leaflets that grow on top of the tall stems which (wait for it) look like the spokes of an Umbrella, giving an overall attractive and novel appearance.. With age the leaves and stems eventually form a grass-like clump, and this look is distinctly different to the other commonly grown Umbrella Plant i.e. Umbrella Plants need to be kept in a location free from bright direct sunlight where the ambient air temperature remains between to 60F and 75F throughout the day and night, year-round. The two species often look very similar, and need virtually identical conditions indoors, so the following recommendations refer to both plants, unless stated otherwise. Oversized pots may seem like they’ll save you time, but the Umbrella plant won’t grow as well when buried in a huge amount of soil. Be careful though as the plant won’t enjoy the leaves to become saturated and stagnant water is a breeding ground for fungal infection, pests, and diseases. Humidity is generally not a concern, but the plants can be more susceptible to pests like scale and spider mites if the air is too dry. In warm, high-humidity conditions, outdoor plants may even flower, but don’t expect flowers indoors. It’s possible to take perfect care of your Umbrella plant with no special tools aside from a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Place plants in bright, indirect light or grow outside in bright sunlight in zones 10 to 12. Indoor Umbrella plants stay much more compact naturally, reaching a maximum height of 4 to 6 feet in most cases. Umbrella plants need plenty of water, yet they need to dry out thoroughly between waterings. Indoors, indirect light is best. Umbrella plants aren’t topping the lists of trendy houseplants these days, but they’re a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for plant that can add graceful foliage to a room. Umbrella plants typically don’t require extensive pruning. Aim for the texture of rich forest loam that is fluffy and quick draining. Schefflera Plant Care Instructions. Schefflera arboricola (sometimes called dwarf schefflera) feature smaller, glossy leaves… However, smaller dwarf umbrella plants tend to be associated with good luck and wealth. The main concern about Cyperus houseplants is the moisture level and consistency. It can reach 2 to 3 feet in width depending on how its pruned and allowed to spread. Fertilize your dwarf umbrella plant every two weeks (except during winter). Make sure the pot or vessel you use has plenty of drainage holes. Aim to keep the plant around 70F if possible for healthy growth and disease resistance. Water the tropical umbrella plant when the top layer of soil dries, mist the leaves occasionally, and … House Plant Shop Schefflera Arboricola in 4-In. Or Else, Umbrella Plants take pleasure in a charitable variety of interior temperatures and prosper in between 60º (16º) and 80ºF (27ºC). If I don’t know how to do something myself, I can probably learn... We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Although umbrella plants do best in bright, indirect light, they can usually tolerate direct indoor light, and will just grow more slowly and become leggy in medium-to-low light. This encourages bushy growth to emerge from what’s left of the stems. Put it in a pot of peat moss mixed with perlite and cover it with a loose plastic bag to keep humidity high. Outdoor Care. Cut an entire stem near the base where it meets the soil and dip the last half-inch in rooting hormone. Here we’ll take you through everything your need to know about Umbrella Plant Care including how to plant, water, fertilize, prune, and propagate your Schefflera at home. Crotons are very susceptible to change in temperature and location. A Schefflera plant can live for years or even decades with the right care. They can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA zones 10-11. Rainwater or distilled water is best in order to avoid mineral accumulation and salinity that’s often present in water sourced directly from the faucet. Umbrella trees are an invasive plant in warm, frost-free climates, so employ control measures if growing them outdoors. Since umbrella plants grow so fast, they might require pruning. The plant can be expanded outdoors year-round in USDA Zones 9b-12. Look for a mix that is at least two parts peat moss to one part perlite. Due to their toxicity, Umbrella plants aren’t generally used as food or medicine anywhere in the world. Old leaves will also drop naturally. These plants are considered a smaller version of the S. Actinophylla species, … Useful Products When Growing Umbrella Tree: Garden Safe Neem Oil Extract; Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap; Monterey Liqui-Cop Fungicide Common Umbrella Plants Pests & Diseases Aphids: Look for white sticky deposits on the leaves. However, it is fair to say that Dwarf Umbrella trees are slightly hardier than Crotons. Today, my passion has led me to further explore the world of horticulture, botany, and floristry and I'm always excited to meet and collaborate with fellow enthusiasts and professionals from across the globe. Cut an entire stem near the base where it meets the soil and dip the last half-inch in rooting hormone. So much so you could potentially grow an average sized Umbrella Plant to a very tall one in the space of just one growing season. Indoors it prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with indirect sunlight. Take care to protect them from reduced temps if they’re maintained near a home window. In order to provide the necessary drainage, pot your umbrella plant in sandy potting soil.