Umbrella Tree Care Guide

Family: Araliaceae

Genus: Schefflera

Botanical Name: Schefflera actinophylla

Difficulty: low-maintenance

Light

They love indirect light and will tolerate medium levels of natural light. If your umbrella tree is kept inside, keep them out of those bright, sunny windows that can get kind of warm. Remember that your plant will not grow as fast if you keep them in lower, more medium levels of light.

Water

They would rather be underwatered than over watered. You want most of the top layers of soil to be dry before you water your umbrella friend. You should water from above the plant, and really try not to let any water get on the leaves or they will discolor.

Climate

Your umbrella plant will be so happy in your home if you like it on the warmer side. They love anywhere between 60°-77°F. They really like high humidity levels, which is why they do well outside in the warmer months. Ideal humidity levels for these guys are around 75% or higher. They love to be misted every now and then to maintain a higher humidity.

Soil

Keep them in a richer, well-draining soil composed of perlite, peat moss, and compost. You should fertilize them every 6 weeks during the growing season.

Pests and Diseases

Umbrella plants can attract aphids and spider mites. As far as diseases go, you should be on the lookout for leaf spot and sooty mold.

Tips

· You should check on your umbrella plants roots once a year to see if they need to be repotted.

· If you’re able to save rainwater to water your umbrella tree, it’s a good way to make sure you aren’t accidentally hurting them with tap water.

· Use filtered water regularly.

· Only keep your umbrella plant outside during the warmer months.

Signs your umbrella tree isn’t happy

· Droopy, yellowing leaves: under watering

· Bending stems: under watering

· Spotted leaves: under watered

· Light colored leaves: too much light

· Weirdly small leaves: not enough light

· Sudden leaves dropping: too cold

How to propagate

The best time to take clippings from you umbrella tree is during the growing season. You should cut the stem all the way down to the base. Place it mixture of perlite and peat moss and loosely cover it with plastic wrap to create a humid environment. They need to be kept in hot temperatures as close to 70°F as you can get. You can repot them once they start to show new growth!

Fun Facts

· Umbrella trees are considered lucky in some cultures.

· It’s nicknamed the Octopus tree.

· There are three varieties of umbrella tree.

· They usually have multiple trunks twisted together for support.

Hardiness Zones for umbrella trees is : 10-11

Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.

If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!