How to Grow and Care for Schefflera

This popular, low-maintenance houseplant comes in many different varieties, sizes, and leaf colors.

A classic plant that makes itself at home in many places, including corporate offices and cozy living rooms, schefflera is a low-maintenance houseplant for anyone looking to add some green to their space. Plant breeders have brought new varieties to the market. If you haven’t perused the houseplant section of a local nursery lately, take time to check out the variegated scheffleras in all shapes and sizes.

Schefflera is toxic to pets.1

Where to Plant Schefflera

Schefflera is usually grown as a houseplant. Keep it away from air conditioning vents because the plant does not like cold air. The plant can spend the summer outdoors where it tolerates direct sunlight.

Schefflera Care Tips

Light

Schefflera thrives in bright indirect light. A sunny south- or west-facing window is an ideal location. Although it prefers high light, schefflera will also grow well in medium light—the process will just be slower.

Soil and Water

Plant schefflera in a rich, well-drained potting mix.

Wait to water schefflera until the surface of the potting mix dries out. Its tolerance of dry conditions is one of the factors that make it a favorite houseplant. Don’t water schefflera until the surface of the potting soil is dry. Shortly after watering, discard any water that collected in the saucer underneath the plant to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.

Temperature and Humidity

Schefflera prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees during the day and needs no less than 50 degrees at night. The plant does best in relatively high humidity of 60 percent. As an outdoor plant, it is winter hardy in zones 10 to 12.

Fertilizer

Schefflera doesn’t require fertilizer for good growth. If you would like your plant to grow faster you can fertilize it with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer. Be sure to follow package directions for application rates.

Pruning

Sometimes schefflera grows beyond the space available. These easy-to-grow plants put on many inches of new growth in a year; it is not unusual for plants to spend the summer outside on porches or patios to produce one to two feet of new growth. When a schefflera outgrows its interior space, you can prune it back. Clip plants back any time of the year, reducing the stems by as much as two-thirds of their height. The plant will regrow, producing a lush stand of new stems and leaves.

Potting and Repotting Schefflera

Choose a pot with large drainage holes, either plastic or terra-cotta, and fill it with well-draining potting mix.

Repot the plant when its roots fill the container. This can take a year or two depending on the growth rate. If you want to slow down the growth of the plant, you can also leave it in the container for a while.

To repot it, carefully remove the plant from the container. If the plant is rootbound, it might be difficult to remove, In that case, immerse the container in a bucket of water for about 30 minutes, Replant the schefflera in a new, larger pot with fresh potting soil.

How to Propagate Schefflera

Schefflera can be propagated from stem cuttings. Cut a stem that has several nodes (the points where the leaves attach to the stem). Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and insert the cutting about a couple of inches deep in a 4-inch container filled with damp potting mix. Water it well and keep it evenly moist until there is new growth and the cutting does not wiggle any longer, which is a sign that roots have formed. Once the cutting has developed into a healthy little plant, you can transplant it to a larger container.

Pests and Problems

Schefflera does not have major pest problems. Common pests include mealybugs, mites, and scale insects, which can all be controlled with insecticidal soap.

The most common problem of schefflera is overwatering and underwatering. Too much water or poor drainage may lead to root rot.

Types of Schefflera

Umbrella Tree

Schefflera actinophylla, also known as the Australian umbrella tree, is one of the two schefflera species that are common houseplants. It has large leaflets up to 10 inches long. To maintain their glossiness, wipe or dust them occasionally. The plant can grow into a large tree, but most often several are planted in one pot to provide a fuller, bushy effect.

Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Schefflera arboricola is a bushy plant with smaller, thicker leaflets, 2 to 4 inches long. It has a mature height of 3 to 4 feet. Like its larger cousin, Schefflera actinophylla, the leaflets radiate out from a central point, much like the spokes of an umbrella.

False Aralia

Schefflera elegantissima is indeed an elegant plant with its narrow, saw-tooth-edge green leaves and lean, upright plant form. Leaves emerge coppery red and mature to dark blackish green.

‘Gold Capella’ Schefflera

Schefflera arbicola ‘Gold Capella’ has dark green leaves variegated with golden-yellow accents.

‘Green Gold’ Dwarf Schefflera

Schefflera arboricola ‘Green Gold’ has leaves splashed with a broad central band of gold.