Schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla)

Schefflera houseplants, native to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, are often called Umbrella Trees because of their large, shiny, dark green leaves that drape down like the spokes of an umbrella. Each Schefflera leaf grows at the end of a long stem and consists of several smaller leaflets. Schefflera Plants usually have multiple trunks. The newer Amate variety of the Schefflera Plant, which is grown from a tissue culture, has larger glossier leaves. A Schefflera Amate houseplant requires less light, is more resistant to spider mite, has a better developed root system, and is very symmetrical and full. A Schefflera Amate Plant is a little more expensive than a regular Schefflera Plant, but well worth the extra cost.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Schefflera houseplants do well in medium light, but grow faster and develop more leaves in bright indirect light. The Schefflera Amate variety needs less light than regular Schefflera houseplants.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Allow the top 25-30% of the soil to dry out before watering Schefflera houseplants. Green leaves drop off and new growth turns black when Schefflera Plants are over-watered. Yellow leaves indicate a Schefflera houseplant is being under-watered.

FERTILIZER: Fertilize Schefflera houseplants monthly in the spring and summer when they are actively growing with a basic houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. During the fall and winter feed Schefflera plants every other month but only if the plant is producing new leaves.

TEMPERATURE: Schefflera houseplants prefer temperatures between 65-80 degrees. Schefflera Plants do not do well in temperatures below 55 degrees and should be kept away from cold drafts and heaters.

HUMIDITY: Basic household humidity or higher is fine for Schefflera houseplants. If the air is very dry, place your Schefflera Plant on a tray of pebbles and water. Be sure the plant is sitting on the pebbles and not in the water.

PESTS: Schefflera Plants are bothered by these houseplants pests: spider mites, Mealy Bugs, Aphids, scale, and Fungus Gnats. Insect prevention is always easier than treatment so examine the leaves of Schefflera houseplants every time you water.

DISEASES: The houseplant diseases Leaf Spot and powdery mildew develop if the soil of a Schefflera Plant stays too wet or water frequently gets on the leaves.

SOIL: Use a well-aerated fast-draining indoor potting soil for Schefflera houseplants.