How to Propagate Umbrella Tree (3 Ways of Schefflera actinophylla Propagation)

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Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla) is propagated during the growing season from stem cuttings, stem-tip cuttings or by air-layering. The cuttings require a rooting hormone to enhance root growth. They can be rooted either in water or in soil.

Schefflera actinophylla is called Octopus Tree, Australia Umbrella Tree, Queensland Umbrella or Amate. It gets its common name, 'umbrella Tree', from its large finger-like glossy leaflets radiating like umbrella spokes. The common name, 'Octopus Tree', is because of its spectacular, red-colored, tentacle-like flowers.

Schefflera actinophylla grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 15-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Umbrella Tree.

Umbrella Tree is easy to propagate. We have below outlined 3 methods of Schefflera actinophylla propagation. Keep reading for more on these propagation methods.

1. How to propagate Umbrella Tree from stem cuttings in water

1. Take a 6 inches Umbrella Tree stem or stem-tip cutting, ensure it has several leaf node as this is where new growth will come from.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Place in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.


4. When a good amount of roots have formed on the cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, quality, rooting soil.


5. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


6. Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.


7. Transfer the new Australia Umbrella Tree into a pot 1 size larger than the current one while ensuring that the soil is well-drained. At this point you can begin routine care as indicated here below.

2. How to propagate Umbrella Tree from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a 6 inches Umbrella Tree stem or stem-tip cutting, ensure it has several leaf node as this is where new growth will come from.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Insert about 2 inches of the lower cut end of the cutting into moist, quality, rooting soil.


4. Cover the set up with polythene to create a greenhouse effect to increase warmth and humidity to enhance rooting.


5. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.


6. Rooting should take about 3-4 weeks; new growth indicates rooting has taken place.


7. Acclimatize the new Umbrella Tree to normal growing conditions by opening the polythene cover a little bit everyday over a period of two weeks. During this period, keep the soil barely moist.


8. At the end of the two weeks, water moderately, apply liquid fertilizer monthly until a fine network of roots appear on the soil surface.


9. The new Octopus Tree should by this time have developed 2-3 new leaves. From this point, the plant is ready for repotting and you can begin normal Umbrella Tree care.

3. How to propagate Umbrella Tree by air-layering

1. Make a notch on the stem of a healthy Umbrella Tree and coat the notch with a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. Maintain the moss moist through out and allow some time for roots to develop in the notched area.


4. After the roots have formed and are about 2 inches long, the stem is now ready to be seperated from the mother plant.


5. Sever the stem just below the covered part with a sharp cutting tool like a sterlized knife or a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors. New shoots will sprout from the shortened stem of the mother plant.


6. Carefully remove the polythene and get ready to pot the rooted stem of the Umbrella Tree.


7. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.


8. Fill the pot with loose, free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the cutting.


9. Place the rooted cutting in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base of the stem while taking care not to bury it too deep.


10. Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

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