Umbrella plant care: pruning, watering & common problems

Caring for an umbrella plant is not difficult and, given a little TLC, this plant will grow well and produce lots of glossy leaves. Learn all about your Schefflera’s needs and concerns.

Water and nutrients are the umbrella plant’s (Schefflera arboricola) two most basic needs. The occasional pruning also benefits the plant and promotes bushy growth. Read on to learn more about umbrella plant care, including tips on recognising when it is time to repot your Schefflera.

This article focuses on the dwarf umbrella tree, also known as umbrella plant and dwarf schefflera. For other Schefflera species, such as the more demanding false aralia (Schefflera elegantissima), visit our overview article on Schefflera.

Schefflera care

In order for your Schefflera to grow strong, the right care and environment are important. Regular watering and fertilising are key to keeping your plant happy and healthy.

Umbrella plants tolerate the occasional dryness better than too much moisture. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and check if it is dry to the touch before watering again. Hard water can lead to calcium build up on a Schefflera’s leaves, hindering its ability to absorb nutrients. So, opt for soft water or rainwater if possible. Watering umbrella plants by the immersion method has been proven to be effective. To do this, briefly immerse the plant’s pot in a bucket of water until no more air bubbles rise up. Be sure to let the soil drain well before returning the umbrella plant back to its place.

Tip: To help your Schefflera retain its beautiful lustre, mist it with calcium-free water, and wipe the dust off the leaves from time to time.

Apart from during their dormant period in winter, umbrella plants need nutrients every two weeks for healthy growth. A liquid plant fertiliser, such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, works wonders and is easy to apply. Our organic fertiliser helps Schefflera plants to grow magnificent leaves and also supports the roots, ensuring that the plant stays strong and healthy. To apply, simply dilute some of the liquid fertiliser into water and water as usual. This ensures that the nutrients are evenly distributed in the soil and quickly available to the plant.

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Pruning umbrella plants

If your Schefflera gets too big, it can be cut back without a problem. The best time of year to prune umbrella plants is in spring, but it is also possible to prune later in the year. That said, we explicitly advise against pruning umbrella plants during the winter months. When pruning, remove crooked, leafless or troublesome shoots. Always cut just above a node or branch fork. If the cutting is healthy, you can go ahead and use it to propagate your Schefflera.

Schefflera branching: To encourage bushier growth, shorten the shoot ends to the desired height. Your umbrella plant will sprout more shoots from where the cut was made, which will give your plant a fuller look.

Repotting umbrella plants

Transplanting your umbrella plant to a larger pot with fresh soil in spring gives it a strong start to the active growth period. As Schefflera plants grow quickly, young plants usually need to repotting annually. We recommend repotting older umbrella plants every two to three years.

Prepare your umbrella plant’s new pot by adding a drainage layer and then a layer of soil. We recommend using a high quality soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. This soil retains its structure for a long time, stores water well and gradually releases nutrients to the plant.

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To encourage your Schefflera to grow larger, choose a pot one size up from the last when repotting. To repot, carefully lift the plant out of its old pot, and remove the old soil from its roots. Cut off any rotten or dead parts of the roots. To limit the growth of your umbrella plant, cut back the roots a little more generously. Either way, be sure to cut back the shoots to the same degree that you trim the roots. The ratio of the plant’s roots to its crown must be balanced so that the roots can effectively support the crown. Once trimmed, put the Schefflera in its new pot, and fill the pot with soil.

Schefflera leaf loss: causes and solutions

Is your Schefflera dropping leaves? This could be due to several reasons. Once you have identified the cause, take action to prevent further leaf loss and cut back the bare or damaged shoots the following spring.

• Temperature: keeping your umbrella plant somewhere too cold can cause leaf loss. Schefflera should never be exposed to temperatures below 10°C. To overwinter your Schefflera, place it in a spot with temperatures around 12°C.
• Draught: umbrella plants placed near open windows may also lose leaves. Protect your umbrella plant from draughts by placing it in a bright, sheltered place.
• Waterlogging: waterlogging can cause root rot in Schefflera plants. Root rot causes the plant to shed the leaves that are no longer getting water or nutrients. If the substrate is wet or if you notice a musty smell coming from it, your umbrella plant likely has root rot. To save your plant, repot it into fresh soil and remove rotten roots. In the future, water more sparingly and less frequently.
• Lack of light and heat: the combination of too little sunlight and too little heat can also cause umbrella plants to shed leaves. Schefflera need as much light as possible, especially in winter. In summer, on the other hand, when daylight hours are longer and the sun more intense, a semi-shaded spot will do.

Common umbrella plant pests

Improper care and a poorly chosen location are not the only things that can affect a Schefflera plant’s growth. There are also a handful of pests that are fond of umbrella plants, especially in winter.

• Spider mites: brown, orange and red spider mites can find their way onto the plant. They feast on the surface cells of leaves, leaving behind tiny silver dots and weaving fine webs.
• Scale insects: these armoured pests are found at the base of leaves and favour spaces with dry air. Scale insects produce sticky honeydew, and their larvae feed on plant sap.
• Mealybugs: these pests also feed on plant sap and form honeydew. Mealybugs are covered with white filaments and hide under leaves or in leaf axils.
• Aphids: aphids are typically found on fresh shoots sucking out the plant sap. This causes the leaves to curl or grow misshapen.

To prevent pests in the first place, ensure your Schefflera has a suitable environment. Follow the link to learn what is important when planting umbrella plants.