Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella Tree) Care Indoors; Watering, Soil, Fertilizer, Problems
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Schefflera actinophylla also called Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, Australian Umbrella Tree, Queensland Umbrella or Amate is among tree-like plants, ideal for the large spaces in the home, office and other suitable places.
Schefflera actinophylla 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.
As the plant ages, it loses its lower leaves and therefore becomes leggy. Cut it back harshly to stimulate new growth and pinch off the growing tips to encourage a compact and bushy growth.
Botanical name: Schefflera actinophylla
Synonmy: Heptapleurum actinophyllum
Family: Araliaceae
Common names: Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, Australian Umbrella Tree, Queensland Umbrella, Amate
Origin
Schefflera actinophylla also called Heptapleurum actinophyllum is native to tropical rainforests in nothern and north-eastern Queensland coasts, Northern Australia, New Guinea and Java.
The common name, 'Queensland Umbrella', is due to its origins in the Queensland Coasts while the name, 'Australian Umbrella Tree', is due to its origins in Northern Australia.
Size
Octopus Tree can grow to a height of 6-8 feet placing it among the bold statement plants which create a great first impression in any space.
Related Plants
Australian Umbrella Tree is closely related to Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree), which is a more compact and smaller version of Umbrella Tree.
Is Schefflera actinophylla toxic?
Yes. Schefflera actinophylla is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It contains "sharp" calcium oxalate crystals which are insoluble and damage cells and tissues of animals if ingested. They cause swelling of the exposed tissue and the digestive tract which may be fatal to both animals and humans.
Where to Buy
Umbrella Trees are a great addition to any plant collection. You may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Schefflera actinophylla Indoors
To care for Schefflera actinophylla indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Umbrella Tree requires repotting every 2 years only when it becomes pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to minimize pest and disease infestation and to encourage a bushy, compact growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Schefflera actinophylla liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf loss and brown leaf tips.
Use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf edges. Water with room temperature because consistently watering with too cold water can result in stunted growth and leaf fall.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead in root-rot and the death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to discourage fungal diseases. Should you wet the leaves, wipe off the water with a soft cloth.
Light Requirements
Umbrella Tree grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light); put it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves
Australian Umbrella Tree can tolerate some shade but the growth will be much slower. If the natural lighting is not sufficient, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.
Once monthly, give the pot a quarter turn to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent lop-sided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Schefflera actinophylla thrives in a warmth of 15-280C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to avoid sudden temperature changes as it can cause stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop and brown leaf tips.
Umbrella Tree does need extra humidity, a normal household humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. However, when the indoor temperatures a very high which significantly reduce air humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good ventilation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Umbrella Tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter since growth is slowed and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Flush out accumulated salts regularly, by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat several times.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Schefflera actinophylla should be airy, rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. A combination of 2 parts potting soil (for nutrients), 1 part perlite or sand (for drainage) and 1 part peat moss or coconut coir (for moisture) is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Australian Umbrella Tree every 2 years during the growing season, only when pot-bound. A pot 1 size larger than the current one is ideal as it prefers to be slightly confined in its pot.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole as the plant does not like to be in soggy soil, which can lead to root-rot. The plant can get top-heavy therefore use a heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over.
A large plant that may be difficult to repot, replace the top 2-4 inches of soil with fresh soil annually. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Schefflera actinophylla requires removal of dead and yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. To encourage a bushy and compact growth, regularly pinch the growing tips and new growth will appear just below the cut.
If the plant becomes leggy, cut it back with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to the desired height to encourage new growth to sprout below the cut. The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used for taking cuttings to propagate new plants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust to expose maximum surface area for light absorption. It also helps to keep the leaves shiny and to discourage pests and diseases.
Umbrella Tree Propagation
Schefflera actinophylla is propagated from stem cuttings, stem-tip cuttings or by air-layering at the beginning of the growing season. Learn how to propagate Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla).
Schefflera actinophylla Problems & Remedies
Umbrella Tree problems are falling leaves, brown leaves, curling leaves, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Falling leaves
Falling leaves off Schefflera actinophylla is caused by low light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or sudden changes.
How to fix it
Low light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, radiators, AC units, windy doors, stoves and others.
Sudden changes: Gradually acclimate the plant over a period of time before moving it to a new location.
Brown leaves
The main causes of brown leaves on Schefflera actinophylla are inconsistent watering, exposure to hot sunshine, temperature stress, salts buildup among others.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out and do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Exposure to hot sunshine: Keep the plant away from direct sunshine or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunrays.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, radiators, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows and others.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out excess salts by thoroughly drenching the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.
Curling leaves
Curling leaves on Schefflera actinophylla are caused by dry air, inconsistent watering, drafts or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to raise humidity.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Drafts: Keep the plant from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, hot air vents, drafty windows, wndy doors, heat sources among others.
Salts buildup: Regularly flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Umbrella Tree are caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency among others.
How to fix it
Too little light: Place the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, windy doors, drafty windows, hot stoves, AC units and others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Pests
Common pests of Umbrella Tree are scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Seperate the affected palm to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions on the label.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to elevate humidity to reduce the pests infestations.
Diseases
Australian Umbrella Tree is prone to root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil. The disease is indicated by yellowing of leaves, stems turning brown-black and gradual wilting of the plant.
How to fix it
- Remove the plant from its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Disinfect the healthy roots and the entire plant with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.
- Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, well-lit spot.
- Do not water the plant again until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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