Schefflera
With its glossy, finger-spread leaflets radiating like tiny umbrellas, Schefflera brings effortless tropical drama to any bright indoor space.
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The Little Umbrella Tree
Schefflera arboricola - commonly called dwarf umbrella tree or dwarf schefflera - is native to Taiwan and Hainan, where it scrambles over rocks and up tree trunks as an epiphytic shrub. Indoors, it behaves itself considerably better, growing into a lush, multi-stemmed specimen admired for its distinctive palmate leaves, each composed of 7-9 glossy leaflets arranged in a whorl.
A close relative of the full-sized Schefflera actinophylla, the dwarf species is far better suited to home growing - staying manageable in size while delivering the same bold, architectural presence. Variegated cultivars, splashed with gold or cream, are especially popular and brighten dim corners better than their all-green counterparts.
Planting & care
Pot your schefflera in a well-draining mix - a standard potting soil cut with perlite works well. Choose a spot with bright, indirect light; a few feet back from a south- or east-facing window is ideal. Direct sun can scorch the leaves, while deep shade leads to leggy, sparse growth and loss of variegation.
Water thoroughly, then let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. Schefflera is far more forgiving of a missed watering than of soggy roots, so err on the dry side - especially in low-light conditions. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer, and hold off in winter when growth slows. Wipe dusty leaves occasionally to keep them photosynthesizing at full strength.
Pruning = Bushier Growth
Schefflera can grow tall and leggy if left to its own devices. Pinch or prune the growing tips in spring to encourage branching and a fuller, more compact shape. The stems you remove can even be rooted in moist potting mix to propagate new plants - a rewarding bonus.
How much sun does Schefflera need?
Schefflera grows best in bright indirect light.
How often should you water Schefflera?
Give it about allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings; roughly every 7-10 days.