Umbrella plant care guide

The umbrella plant gets its name from its leaves, which spread out from a central point like the ribs of an umbrella. It is tough, grows into a small indoor tree, and bounces back from a hard prune.

Botanists now call it Heptapleurum arboricola. Stores still sell it as schefflera.

Light

Give it bright, indirect light, such as a spot near an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window. A little gentle sun is fine.

In low light, it gets leggy and drops leaves. Variegated types need bright light to keep their gold.

Turn the pot every few weeks so it grows straight.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

Too much water is the most common problem. Leaves turn yellow, then black, then drop. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a well-draining houseplant mix with some perlite.

Repot every two years in spring, one size up. A snug pot keeps it smaller. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. Keep it between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F). Keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip fall and winter.

Pruning

Umbrella plants take pruning well. Cut a leggy stem back to just above a leaf in spring. New branches grow from below the cut, and the plant gets bushier. You can cut it back hard, to bare stems, and it regrows.

Pinch the tips to keep a small plant compact. Some people train it as a bonsai.

Propagation

• Cuttings. Cut a stem tip 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long. Pull off the lower leaves. Set it in water or damp mix. Roots grow in three to six weeks.
• Air layering. For a tall, bare plant, root the top while it is still attached, then cut it free.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Yellow leaves that turn black and drop	Too much water
Leaves drop after a move	Shock from the change. It recovers.
Long, bare stems	Not enough light, or never pruned
Gold variegation fading	Not enough light
Sticky leaves	Scale or mealybugs
Brown, crispy edges	Dry soil or dry air

Pests

Scale and mealybugs are common. Look for sticky leaves and small bumps on the stems. Spider mites show up in dry air. Wipe the leaves and check under them every few weeks.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists schefflera as toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing causes mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting. Keep it out of reach.

Varieties

• Plain green is the toughest.
• ‘Gold Capella’ has green leaves splashed with gold.
• ‘Trinette’ has leaves with wide cream edges.
• ‘Janine’ has small, cream-marked leaves on a compact plant.
• The umbrella tree, Schefflera actinophylla, is a bigger cousin with long, glossy leaflets.