Araliaceae
Schefflera Care Guide
Schefflera
Schefflera thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates medium light, needs its soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot, and prefers warm, humid conditions away from cold drafts.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
15° - 24°C
30% - 50%
Categories
What is Umbrella Plant?
Umbrella Plant (Schefflera) is a easy-care plant from the Araliaceae family. Schefflera is a genus of about 600 evergreen shrubs, trees, and vines in the Araliaceae family, prized worldwide as a resilient houseplant. The most widely cultivated member, Schefflera arboricola (dwarf umbrella tree), produces glossy, palmately compound leaves arranged like the spokes of an umbrel...
Umbrella Plant grows up to 2.5m, spread of 150cm, watering every 7 days, 15°C â 24°C, 30â50% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Umbrella Plant tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Umbrella Plant?
TLDR: Umbrella Plant needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-24°C with 30-50% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Umbrella Plant?
Let the top half to two-thirds of the soil dry out before watering thoroughly; always allow excess water to drain away since Schefflera is prone to root rot in soggy soil.
How Much Light Does Umbrella Plant Need?
Place in bright, indirect light near an east- or north-facing window; it tolerates medium light but grows leggy and loses fullness in low light.
What Is the Best Soil for Umbrella Plant?
Use a well-draining, organically rich potting mix (e.g., peat or coco coir with perlite) to prevent waterlogging around the roots.
What Pot Should You Use for Umbrella Plant?
A pot with ample drainage holes, such as terracotta, helps excess moisture escape and reduces root rot risk.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 7 days
Rotate
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Umbrella Plant and Where Does It Come From?
Schefflera is a genus of about 600 evergreen shrubs, trees, and vines in the Araliaceae family, prized worldwide as a resilient houseplant. The most widely cultivated member, Schefflera arboricola (dwarf umbrella tree), produces glossy, palmately compound leaves arranged like the spokes of an umbrella, giving the plant its common name. Native to Taiwan and Hainan, it has become one of the most popular low-maintenance indoor foliage plants thanks to its tolerance of a wide range of light and humidity conditions.
How to Propagate Umbrella Plant?
Stem Cutting
Use clean, sharp tools to prevent disease, keep the growing medium consistently moist but not soggy, and cover with a plastic bag or propagator lid to raise humidity.
- 1 Cut a 10-15 cm (4-6 in) stem section just below a leaf node using clean, sharp shears.
- 2 Remove leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting, leaving a few leaves at the top.
- 3 Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- 4 Insert the cutting into a moist, well-draining potting mix (soil roots more reliably than water alone).
- 5 Keep in bright, indirect light with high humidity until roots establish, usually 2-4 weeks.
Materials needed:
Air Layering
Keep the moss moist throughout the process by misting through the plastic wrap as needed; this method works especially well on tall or leggy stems.
- 1 Choose a healthy stem section and make a small upward cut through the bark.
- 2 Apply rooting hormone to the wound.
- 3 Wrap the cut area with moist sphagnum moss.
- 4 Cover the moss with plastic wrap and secure both ends with tape or twine.
- 5 Once roots fill the moss (4-8 weeks), cut the stem below the new roots and pot it up separately.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Umbrella Plant Grow?
TLDR: Umbrella Plant can reach up to 2.5m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
2.5m
Spread
1.5m
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Air Purifying
Improves air quality
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Umbrella Plant?
TLDR: Umbrella Plant is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Fun Facts
The genus Schefflera contains roughly 600 species of shrubs, trees, and vines, most native to tropical and subtropical regions.
Its palmately compound leaflets, which radiate out like spokes, are the reason for both its scientific epithet 'arboricola' and its common name 'umbrella plant.'
In the wild, some Schefflera species can grow into 12-meter (40-foot) trees, though indoor cultivars stay compact through pruning.
All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, a defense mechanism shared with related aroids like Philodendron and Dieffenbachia.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schefflera toxic to cats and dogs?
Why is my Schefflera dropping leaves?
How often should I water my Schefflera?
Can Schefflera grow in low light?
How do I propagate Schefflera?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | â |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | â |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | â |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | â |
