Schefflera is a tropical plant grown as an easy-care houseplant. The evergreen shrub is native to Taiwan and Hainan and thrives in warm, humid climates. It is a popular plant that comes in many varieties. The best known are the umbrella tree and the dwarf umbrella tree. One of the reasons the plant is so popular is because Schefflera care is so easy. Read on to learn more about growing the plant and keeping it healthy and lush.
How to Plant Schefflera
If you've just purchased your first Schefflera plant or when it's time to repot it, here's how to plant it:
1. Choose a location. Place the plant in a spot that doesn't get direct sun (like a south-facing window), or choose a spot with bright light (like an east- or west-facing window) and filter the light through one Curtain.
2. Choose the right vessel. When repotting your Schefflera for the first time, choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball. Excess soil retains moisture, which has a negative impactthe growth of the plantcan impact. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out and to prevent the soil from becoming too soggy, which can lead to root rot.
3. Prepare the soil. Your plant needs well-drained soil rich in organic matter to thrive. Fill the pot with a few inches of soil.
4. Squeeze the pot to loosen the soil around the roots, then gently turn the plant on its side and remove it from the pot. Carefully place the plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh soil.
5. Water your Schefflera immediately after planting to help the soil settle and the plant to receive moisture.
What is important about Schefflera care
Schefflera are not difficult plants to grow if they receive plenty of indirect light, warmth and humidity. In very cold climates, underfloor heating may be necessary.
Bright but indirect light
Schefflera prefers bright, indirect light. In the summer, place the potted plants outside where they will receive bright light but not direct sun, such as in a garden. B. under a patio roof. A Schefflera plant that becomes limp may not be receiving enough light. Never place a plant in full sun as the intense sun can burn the leaves.
Well-drained soil
If you are growing Schefflera indoors, plant it in rich, loose, well-drained potting soil. A well-drained, sandy loam soil with a slightly acidic pH value is ideal for outdoor cultivation. Avoid an outdoor location where the ground becomes too wet or waterlogged.
Schefflera care – Water regularly
Schefflera plants are drought tolerant, so they can tolerate short periods of little water. For best results, water the plant regularly as soon as the top two inches of soil are dry. Avoid overwatering; too much moisture can lead to root rot. During the growing seasonwater regularlyand spray the leaves frequently with water. Watering should be reduced in the winter months.
If you water a schefflera plant too much, it will eventually die. Yellow and dropped leaves are a sign that you may be watering too much. Every houseplant accumulates dust on its leaves over time, which can inhibit the photosynthesis process and damage the plant. Every month or two, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away dust from your plant's leaves.
Temperature and humidity
Since it is a tropical plant, the Schefflera requires relatively high humidity and tropical temperatures; it suffers from temperatures below 16°C. Do not expose these plants to drafts or dry heating ducts. An underwatered or cold plant will drop leaves quickly, so take leaf drop seriously and correct it if it occurs. If the plant loses all its leaves, you can try to save it by moving it outdoors in spring and watering it generously.
Schefflera care: how much to fertilize
Feed Schefflera plants with liquid fertilizer twice weekly during the growing seasonfor houseplantsor use two doses of slow-release fertilizer in the form of pellets. They are heavy eaters and benefit from the additional nutrients.
When should you prune the plant?
Your plant may need occasional pruning, especially if it doesn't get enough light. Cut off anything you think is overgrown or appears limp. Schefflera houseplants recover quickly from pruning and will reward your efforts. The result is a more lush and bushy plant.
Propagation of Schefflera
It's best to propagate Schefflera in spring: this will prevent your current plant from becoming too bushy and will preserve new plants. Schefflera can be propagated by cuttings.
- Using sharp scissors, cut a two-inch piece of the stem at a 45-degree angle and remove all but four or five leaves at the top of the stem.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and then place it in a pot filled with potting soil.
- Cover the pot with a loosely secured plastic bag to retain moisture, then place the pot in bright, indirect light.
- Check the pot daily to ensure the soil remains moist and water when necessary. Check whether roots are forming by gently pulling on the stem.
- After about a month, when roots have formed, you can remove the plastic bag and continue growing the new plant.
Tips for potting and repotting
Given the right conditions, Schefflera plants can grow quickly and benefit from being repotted once they have taken root. If you notice that your plant's growth slows significantly during the growing season and the roots seem to form a thick mass in the pot, it may be time to repot it.The houseplants shouldRepotted annually or as needed: If they have become too big for their containers, they need new soil and a larger pot.
(You can slow growth and prevent plants from becoming too large by extending the time between repotting and allowing them to become somewhat rooted). If you want to repot the Schefflera, remove it from the pot and carefully loosen the roots; soaking them in water may help. To repot, choose a larger container (clay or plastic) that has drainage holes and fill it with a peat-rich, well-draining potting mix.
Pests and plant diseases
Both bacterial leaf spot and Alternaria leaf spot affect Schefflera. These diseases are easily controlled by avoiding overhead watering and not watering in the evening. Indoors, schefflera are susceptible to problems with aphids, which leave behind a honeydew excretion that leads to sooty mold; treat aphids with a spray of insecticidal soap. Outdoors, the plant is susceptible to various pests, including mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.
Schefflera care for yellowing leaves
If your Schefflera's leaves turn yellow, overwatering is often the cause. Try lessto pourto see if this helps. If not, the plant may not be receiving enough light, so move it to a brighter location.
Brown spots on the leaves
The cause of spots on your plant is probably not adequate watering. In this case, you should water your plant more regularly during the growing season. It is best to water the plant deeply and allow the soil to dry out before watering deeply again.
