Plant care library / Schefflera Amate
How to care for Schefflera Amate
Shop this plantAbout Schefflera Amate
A stunning plant with a beautiful leaf structure, the Schefflera Amate is adored for its bright glossy green leaves that add a perfect touch of the tropics to any space. Potted in a premium quality self-watering pot with a soft matte finish, this exquisite plant can grow over 8 feet tall indoors and up to 65 feet tall in its natural habitat – the rainforest canopies in Australia and New Guinea!
Other common names
- Umbrella Tree
- Octopus Tree
- Australian Ivy Palm
- Australian (or Queensland) Umbrella Tree
- Amate
- Heptapleurum actinophylla
How Often Should I Water My Schefflera Amate?
With easyplant, watering your Schefflera Amate is simple. Make sure to check the easyplant reservoir once a month and water if empty. Utilizing a self-watering system will make it much easier to keep your Schefflera Amate watered appropriately.
If you don’t have an easyplant, you'll need to water your Schefflera Amate roughly every ten days. Allow the soil to almost completely dry out between waterings for optimal growth. Don't bother watering if the top of the potting medium is still moist from previous intervals.
Schefflera Amate Light Needs
Schefflera Amate 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.
For optimal health, position your Schefflera near a Northern or Eastern window where it will be exposed to medium levels of indirect light. Place this plant at least 5-10 ft away from any South and West facing windows to avoid leaf burn.
Schefflera Amate Plant Care
If you’re looking for a beautiful and easy plant to care for, the Schefflera Amate is an incredible option. Simple to nurture and only requiring a moderate amount of light, you should have no problem helping your plant thrive. This stunner likes to dry out significantly between waterings, so be sure to let the soil almost completely dry between waterings. 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 want to periodically prune the new growth tips with a sharp, sterilized blade.
How Big Do Schefflera Amate Plants Grow?
The Schefflera Amate is a wonderfully fast-growing tropical stunner that only needs moderate light to thrive. The exquisite plant will grow into a stunning lush tree that can reach over 8 feet indoors in the right conditions. In its natural environment, the shady undersides of the rainforest canopies in Australia and New Guinea, it can grow up to 65 feet tall!
Schefflera plants are renowned for their vigorous growth, adding up to 3 feet of height each year. To reach maximum size, though, it must have optimal growing conditions and the right nutrients from water and fertilizer. On average, a fully mature plant can take between 5-10 years to obtain its full potential, with approximately 20cm added annually during this time frame.
Temperature & Humidity
Your Schefflera Amate will thrive in temperatures between 60-80°F, the standard range for most households. To create an optimal environment for this plant to grow and flourish, it should be situated where the humidity is 75% or above. To keep your air at the desired moisture level, try grouping your Schefflera Amate with other plants, utilizing a pebble tray with water, or investing in a humidifier. These methods can make a huge difference in the health and growth of your Schefflera Amate.
Are Schefflera Amate Toxic for Pets & Kids?
While absolutely beautiful, the Schefflera Amate contains insoluble calcium oxalates that can be toxic and harmful if ingested. The plant can cause skin irritation, oral irritation, swelling, and difficulty swallowing. So, be sure to keep it away from curious children and pets.
Consuming any part of the Schefflera plant by your pets, dogs, and cats alike can cause vomiting, kidney damage, tremors, and even respiratory issues in some cases. Additionally, the calcium oxalates can penetrate the tissue causing irritation in both your pet's mouth and gastrointestinal tract; rarely leading to swelling of the upper airway, making it challenging to breathe.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the leaves from a schefflera plant, immediately flush their mouth and affected areas with clean water to help prevent potential issues.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Schefflera Amate
The Schefflera Amate is known as a fairly easy plant to care for. If you water it properly and provide the right temperature and light, you shouldn't have too many issues. However, if the leaves begin to brown or dry, try relocating the pot to a more indirectly lit location. If you see spots or dry stems, it may be a sign of pests, so make it a habit to regularly wipe off the leaves with any specks of dust and secretions.
Yellowing lower leaves can indicate that you are overwatering your plants; brown tips on the leaves, particularly younger ones, is another common symptom. Signs of root rot from overwatering include yellow leaves, a rotten smell, and black, mushy roots.
If you have overwatered your Schefflera Amate plant, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again, and reduce the frequency of watering.Ensure the plant is placed in a location with sufficient light, as it may affect the water consumption rate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Schefflera Amate Plant
- Does Schefflera like sun or shade?
Your Schefflera Amate will do better in a spot with plenty of indirect light. Direct sunlight might scorch the leaves; instead, look for a spot with bright but diffused sun exposure. Too little light can result in leggy stems, so find an area where your Schefflera Amate can get several hours of bright light daily. - Are Schefflera Amate easy to care for?The Schefflera Amate is an incredibly forgiving plant that’s very simple to care for. Just make sure to water it properly and give it plenty of indirect light, and you should have no problem keeping it healthy and happy.
- How do you take care of a Schefflera Amate?Your Schefflera Amate will flourish with proper watering and light. Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings, and give it plenty of indirect light. Dust the leaves occasionally and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month. You may also want to prune new growth tips with a sharp, sterilized blade. Additionally, create an environment with 75% humidity and temperatures between 60-80°F.
- How often do you water a Schefflera Amate?Generally speaking, aim to water your plant every 7-10 days but make sure to observe how the soil and leaves respond to your watering schedule. Choosing a self-watering method can help regulate the watering frequency and prevent potential issues. With easyplant's self-watering pot, you can ensure that your Schefflera Amate always gets the right amount of water.
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