Dwarf Umbrella Tree / Schefflera arboricola

Heptapleurum arboricola

description

Dwarf Umbrella Tree is a branching indoor tree with glossy leaflets arranged like umbrellas.

benefits

Suitable for containers

warnings

Toxic to cats
Toxic to dogs

How to care for Dwarf Umbrella Tree

sunlight

In subtropical forests, Dwarf Umbrella Tree grows in filtered light beneath taller trees and along bright edges. At home, give it bright, indirect light for the fullest, bushiest growth.

Medium light - tolerated

It can live a few feet back from a bright window, but growth will be slower and more open. Move it closer if new stems stretch or leaves become smaller.

Bright indirect light - ideal

Place near an east-facing window, or set it back from a south or west window behind a sheer curtain. Variegated forms need the brighter end of this range to keep their markings; harsh afternoon sun can scorch leaves.

Rotate the pot about a quarter turn every week or two so the canopy grows evenly toward the light.

watering

Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry before watering. Dwarf Umbrella Trees handle slight dryness better than constantly wet roots.

Brighter, warmer months

Water thoroughly about every 7-10 days, when the top layer feels dry and the pot is noticeably lighter. Empty the saucer after draining.

Cooler or lower-light months

Water roughly every 2-3 weeks, checking that the soil has dried farther down before watering again. Growth slows in low light, so the roots use less water.

Lift the pot after watering and again as it dries. Its lighter weight is often a more reliable cue than a calendar.

Drying speed changes with light, temperature, humidity, pot size and material, soil mix, and root activity. Check the root ball rather than following a fixed schedule.

Do not leave this plant sitting in water. Persistently soggy soil can cause yellow leaves and root rot.

humidity

Dwarf Umbrella Tree comes from warm, humid forests, but it adapts well to average indoor air. Aim for steady conditions rather than making the air constantly damp.

Comfortable at home

40-60%

It will usually manage at around 40% humidity. Growth is happiest closer to 50-60%, especially in bright, warm rooms.

Crisp brown leaf tips or edges, frequent leaf drop, and spider mites can mean the air is too dry.

Dry-heated rooms

50%+

Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and air conditioners. In winter, dry heated air is more troublesome than naturally cooler air.

Group plants together or use a humidifier nearby for the most reliable boost.

Place it near other plants to create a slightly more humid pocket.
Use a pebble tray with water below the pot, not touching the roots, for a small local increase.
Do not mist as the main solution - the effect is brief and wet leaves can encourage spotting.

temperature

Preferred range

18-27°C (65-80°F)

Winter minimum

12°C (54°F)

Native to warm, sheltered subtropical forests, Dwarf Umbrella Tree is happiest in steady indoor warmth. Keep it away from chilly windows and heating or air-conditioning vents, which can trigger leaf drop.

Place it a little back from cold glass in winter, and move it if nighttime temperatures fall below 12°C (54°F).

Cold drafts and sudden temperature swings can cause leaves to yellow and drop.

nutrition

March - September

Feed about every 4-6 weeks while the plant is actively making new leaves, using a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to about half strength. Stop feeding in winter, or when growth has slowed in low light.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen supports the glossy leafy canopy. A balanced fertilizer provides enough when used lightly, while too much can cause soft, weak growth.

Apply fertilizer to already moist soil, then occasionally flush the pot with plain water to help prevent mineral buildup.

soil

Airy, moisture-retentive soil

Use a loose mix that holds some moisture but drains freely, so the fine roots get air and do not stay soggy. A good houseplant potting mix lightened with perlite and a little orchid bark works well.

pH 6,0 - 6,5

This is slightly acidic, a range most quality houseplant mixes naturally suit. Choose a peat- or coco-based mix rather than garden soil, which can compact and drain poorly in pots.

Always use a pot with drainage holes, and do not let the plant sit in collected water.