Umbrella plant propagation: how to grow your own

Already own an umbrella plant and can’t get enough of its beauty? Don’t worry, scheffleras are very easy to propagate.

There is more than one way to propagate umbrella plants (Schefflera). We will show you how with these step-by-step guides on umbrella plant propagation.

Umbrella plant propagation: different methods

The umbrella plant is easy to propagate vegetatively, which means that no seeds are used. This method, also known as asexual propagation, creates clones of the mother plant from individual parts of the plant. Using cuttings has proven to be a particularly easy technique which gives you the best chance of success. Another way to propagate the Schefflera is by what is known as “air layering”, but this is a bit more time-consuming and has less promising results. In nature, the plant reproduces with its seeds.

Why sowing seeds is usually not worth your time: If you happen to get your hands on Schefflera seeds, growing them can be quite tricky. The seeds must be fresh in order to germinate, and fresh seeds are not easy to come by. Since propagation from cuttings is so easy, growing umbrella plants from seeds is a project best left to the more ambitious horticulturist.

Propagating Schefflera by air-layering

It is possible to form a new umbrella plant by air layering. Unlike cuttings, this method uses damp moss to stimulate root formation of the daughter plant while it is still attached to the mother plant.

It is best to do air-layering in autumn or spring. To do this, cut into the stem of the umbrella plant from the bottom upwards creating a flat flap. The cut should end just below a dormant bud or leaf. Insert a small stone or damp moss into the cut to keep it from closing up again. Wrap moist peat moss around the cut, then cover the moss with cling-film so that everything stays nice and moist. Seal the cling-film at the top and bottom with tape to make the wound airtight. You should begin to see roots forming over the next few weeks or months.

After a few weeks, check whether roots have developed and moisten the moss again if needed. A temperature of 15 to 20 °C and consistent high humidity are necessary for roots to form. Once roots have developed, it is time to separate the daughter plant from the mother plant and to place it into its own pot.

Taking umbrella plant cuttings

There are different types of cuttings suited for umbrella plant propagation. It is best to take the cuttings from the plant in summer, using a clean, sharp knife.

Terminal cuttings

The easiest way to propagate umbrella plants is by using terminal cuttings. This type of propagation can be done all year round, however, the plant needs a temperature of 15 to 20 °C to grow. Choose a healthy shoot and cut it off below the leaf node. It should be about 10 centimetres long, with three to five leaves. Remove the leaves closest to the bottom to reduce water loss through transpiration. Place the cutting into a pot of soil suitable for cuttings, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost. This compost is well-suited for propagating cuttings due to its low nutrient content that stimulates root growth in young plants. Our peat-free, loose soil promotes healthy root development and is safe for garden wildlife and pets.

Alternatively, place the Schefflera cuttings in a jar of water and plant in soil once they have developed roots. Change the water two to three times a week. This technique, however, produces more water roots, which are delicate and not of much use in soil. Therefore, growing in pots works better.

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Tip: When talking about umbrella trees, a “leaf” refers to a long stem with several small leaves. Together, these small, individual leaves form a leaf. The thick, slightly woody stem in the middle, the main shoot, is where you take your cuttings from.

Stem cuttings

You can also cut a larger part of the stem from the umbrella plant and divide it into pieces. The top part of the stem is a terminal cutting, so you can follow the steps above. Then, remove the leaves from the remainder of the stem and divide it into sections, each section containing a dormant bud. This is where the new leaves will later form, and the roots will emerge from the bottom. Place the stem cuttings horizontally in moist compost, with the dormant bud facing upwards. This technique can be done all year round, provided that the cuttings are kept in high humidity at a temperature around 20 °C.

How to care for your umbrella plant after propagation

Once the cuttings have formed roots, it is time to transplant them into their own pots. You can also tell when it is time to transplant them once the cuttings develop new leaves. It is important to create a drainage layer in the new pot, before adding the potting soil. This soil should be more nutrient-rich for the young plants than the cutting compost. For example, our peat-free Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost is ideal, mixed with expanded clay for improved soil structure. It is organically pre-fertilised, lasting for at least three months to encourage balanced, healthy growth. Place the young umbrella plants in a location that is not too bright and gradually introduce them to more light to prevent transplant shock. Keep the humidity high after repotting until even more leaves develop, and make sure to keep the soil moist at all times.

Pruning your Schefflera once more leaves have formed can encourage the plant to branch out with new shoots. For lush growth, we recommend fertilising regularly about three months after repotting, using a liquid fertiliser such as our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. The nutrients from this easy-to-use fertiliser are absorbed quickly by the plant.

For more helpful tips and tricks to keep your Schefflera happy and healthy, take a look at our article on umbrella plant care.