The Schefflera, or umbrella plant, is a medium-size indoor shrub native to New Zealand and the Pacific islands. It has multiple smooth upright stems ending in divided, hand-like leaves, similar to that of the fatsia japonica. They almost look like towers of green flowers twirling around a trunk! Scheffleras have the potential to grow exponentially, but can also be kept small with regular pruning. My mom has had the same schefflera after moving 3 times across the span of 30 years and it just gets bigger and better each year!
Granting that you don’t overwater, scheffleras are generally easy, tolerant houseplants. They don’t need anything special, which makes them fantastic office and bedroom plants. We find they’re happiest in bright, indirect sunlight, but low light can be tolerated as well. Northern or eastern sun exposure is ideal and protects the plant from scorching sun rays. A generic indoor potting soil will suit them fine, what you’re looking for is something that drains well. Maintain a weekly to bi-weekly watering schedule, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out.
Because of their tropical origins, these symmetrical beauties do appreciate a bit of humidity. Pebble trays are the most maintenance-free avenues to increasing humidity. Fun fact, if you have multiple houseplants, clustering them together can actually increase humidity due to moisture released by their leaves. You can kind of create your own little greenhouse!
If you notice sparse stems with yellowing leaves and slow growth, you may need to provide more light. If your stems are limp, you may be overwatering. It’s a good habit to do a physical check up on your plant every month to monitor changes in coloring, growth and firmness. Think of yourself as a plant doctor doing a check up on your patient!
Like many houseplants, scheffleras do have the ability to flower. They produce multiple long spikes studded with cream colored buds that open up into energetic frilly little blooms. Don’t expect this to happen the day after you bring one home; they rarely bloom indoors. Your chances are higher if you have a greenhouse where it can be fully exposed to soft light, high humidity and an NPK fertilizer during the warm months. Regardless of whether they flower or not, your schefflera will surely bring you endless joy and add the perfect amount of texture and fun to your houseplant hoard.
If this article has made you want to bring one of these great plants to your indoor jungle then expect to find two options. The amate has a larger leaf that has a somewhat drooping nature and will have more exposed branching. They also tend to grow taller than the aboricola. The aboricola will have smaller perky leaves and an overall more dense growth habit. At times you can even find a variegated aboricola on our nursery shelves.
