How to Care for Schefflera Plants

Schefflera is a tropical wonder, known for its resilience and ease of care, making it a favorite among plant lovers. This versatile plant comes in both variegated and solid green varieties. The variegated version features clusters of striking gold and green oval-shaped leaflets, while the green cultivar has lush, deep green foliage. Both forms of Schefflera are often nicknamed 'Umbrella Tree' due to their leaf clusters that hang playfully to form little canopies. Native to the subtropical forests of Asia and Australia, this evergreen shrub effortlessly brings the jungle indoors and brightens up any room.

Getting your plant on a consistent watering schedule can be challenging, especially with multiple plants. However, with easyplant, watering your Schefflera is simple. Make sure to check the easyplant reservoir once a month and fill it when empty, and you're all set!

Schefflera grows best in a space with bright direct light, where the sunlight streams inside directly, and can also adapt to spaces with bright indirect light, where the sun rays are diffused. Avoid placing it in spaces with low light or spaces without natural sunlight.

On your Schefflera's first few days at home, you may see yellow or dropped leaves; this is no reason for concern. Simply shake off or cut the leaf, and look forward to new and better-adjusted leaves growing. To help it grow optimally and evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. To maintain its aesthetic shape and height, you may periodically prune it to your liking.

Schefflera is a tropical plant that has evolved to live under the cover of thick tree canopies, so it can adapt to the light conditions inside the home and thrive. Schefflera is a steady-growing plant when kept indoors and fast-growing when planted outdoors. There are two main species of Schefflera that are commonly used as houseplants, called Schefflera Arboricola and Schefflera Actinophylla. The first one is the more popular of the two and can grow as high as fifteen feet tall, three to four feet wide indoors, and up to fifty feet outdoors. Schefflera Actinophylla is the smaller of the two and reaches no more than six feet indoors and twenty-five feet outdoors. Depending on the species, it typically takes this plant between three to fourteen years to reach full maturity, adding between 13 and 24 inches to its growth every year.

The ideal temperature for the Schefflera is room temperature, between 60˚F and lower 70s (15˚C to 23˚C). Avoid placing the plant in locations that will be too cold or dry out, like AC or heating vents, near fans, space heaters, drafts, etc. If the Schefflera is too cold, it will start dropping leaves. Since this plant is native to tropical climates, the Schefflera enjoys fairly high humidity. You should be fine if you can maintain at least 60˚F temperatures in your home. To create a humid environment for your plant, try placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier. You can also group it with other plants or place it in a bathroom or kitchen where there is naturally higher humidity.

Some plants add a pleasing aesthetic to the home and can adapt well to the indoor environment but are unsafe to keep in a house with pets and kids. When considering a houseplant, it's important to know if there is anything toxic about the plant that could harm children or animals if touched or ingested. If ingested, Schefflera may be moderately toxic, so keep away from curious children and pets. Schefflera could cause mouth numbness, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues if ingested. The plant is equally toxic to both dogs and cats. In pets, you may also see excessive drooling, mouth irritation (including the lips and tongue), and difficulty swallowing. The sap of the Schefflera contains calcium oxalate crystals, a possible skin irritant. If you experience irritation when handling the leaves, try wearing gloves.

Part of plant care is observing how your plant is fairing in its environment so you can make adjustments if needed. Every houseplant will have different signs or tells when they aren't doing well. If you notice your Schefflera plant is overgrown or too leggy, you may want to prune it periodically to encourage fuller growth. If your plant has yellowing leaves, it could be a sign of overwatering or insufficient sunlight. First, make sure you're not over-filling the water reservoir of your easyplant. If that does not produce the desired results, consider relocating to a more brightly lit area. If you notice tiny brown dots, sticky residue, small holes, or webbing on your plant, you may have a pest problem. Treat the plant with neem oil, warm, soapy water, or insecticide soap.