Heptapleurum actinophyllum is a tree in the family Araliaceae. It is native to tropical rainforests and gallery forests in northern and northeastern Queensland coasts and the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as New Guinea and Java. Common names include Australian umbrella tree, Queensland umbrella tree, octopus tree and amate. This small tree is commonly grown indoors, but survives outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.
Schefflera has sturdy, woody stems that can grow quite tall if not pruned back. It has a tendency to grow upright but can become leggy without adequate light or pruning. The leaves are large and palmately compound, meaning they radiate from a central point like the spokes of an umbrella, hence the common name. Each leaf can have 7 to 16 leaflets, depending on the species (like S. actinophylla or S. arboricola). The foliage is glossy and typically dark green, though variegated forms with yellow, white, or cream markings exist.
Main Types of Schefflera
- Schefflera actinophylla (Queensland Umbrella Tree): This type has larger leaves with 7-16 leaflets radiating out from a central point.
- Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree): Often used indoors, it has smaller leaves and is more compact, making it ideal for home settings.
In some areas (e.g., Florida and Hawaii, USA), it is an invasive weed and therefore planting is highly unadvised. With a minimum temperature of 13 °C (55 °F), juvenile specimens are grown in temperate regions as houseplants. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Schefflera is toxic if ingested, so keep it away from pets and small children when growing indoors.
Cultivation
- Light: Schefflera prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage. In winter, reduce watering because the plant’s growth slows down.
- Humidity: It does well in normal room humidity but thrives with a bit more moisture in the air. Misting the leaves occasionally can help.
- Temperature: Keep at room temperature, ideally between 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid cold drafts.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. A mix for tropical plants or adding perlite to standard potting soil works well.
- Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer every month during the growing season (spring and summer).
- Pruning: Prune to control size and shape. You can also cut back leggy stems to promote bushier growth.
Pest and Disease Management
- Common Pests: Watch for spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. Regularly inspect the plant, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if pests are found.
- Diseases: Over-watering can lead to root rot. Ensure good drainage and avoid letting the plant sit in water.
Propagation
The plant may be propagated through air-layering, cuttings or seeds, if they are available. Commercial growers generally propagate through cuttings, but air-layering works well for the home gardener who wants to clone a single specimen.
Simple Layering of Stems
Young Schefflera plants are pliable and bend easily. You need another growing container filled with a soil mixture made of perlite, coarse sand or peat moss. A rooting mix made from an equal combination of the three works for propagation, as well. Bend the lowest stem down so the middle of the stem can rest in the second container.
Scrape the outer bark from the stem where it touches the soil in the container. Include at least one or two leaf nodes on the wounded section of the stem. Coat the scraped area with a rooting compound to encourage root growth. Bury the treated part of the stem in the soil mix, and anchor it in place with a piece of wire or a gardening staple.
Air-Layering Schefflera
Air-layering the Schefflera plant produces a clone without the use of a second container. You need sphagnum moss, a sheet of clear plastic and rooting hormone powder. Remove the leaves from a 3- or 4-inch section of the plant stem. Peel the outer bark from the cleared area to reveal the cambium layer: the white section of the stem directly under the bark.
Dust the wound with a thin coating of rooting hormone. Wrap the treated area with moist sphagnum moss, covering the entire exposed stem portion. Wrap the moss with clear plastic and seal the top and bottom of the plastic with tape to create a humid environment.
Types of Schefflera
Schefflera actinophylla – Queensland Umbrella Tree
- Appearance: Known for its large, palmate leaves that resemble an umbrella. Each leaf has 7-16 elongated leaflets.
- Growth: Can grow significantly tall, up to 40 feet or more in its natural habitat, but much smaller indoors.
- Care: Prefers bright, indirect light, needs regular watering, and benefits from high humidity.
Schefflera arboricola – Dwarf Umbrella Tree or Heptapleurum arboricola
- Appearance: Smaller leaves compared to S. actinophylla, with leaflets usually in sets of 5-7, giving it a compact look.
- Growth: More manageable size for indoor cultivation, typically reaching 3-6 feet tall. Can be bushier or grown as a small tree.
- Varieties:
- Variegated forms like ‘Gold Capella’ with yellow margins or ‘Trinette’ with creamy variegation.
- Miniature varieties like ‘Compacta’ which stays even smaller.
Schefflera digitata – New Zealand Umbrella Tree or Pate
- Appearance: Features leaves with 5-7 narrow, pointed leaflets. The leaves are more delicate in appearance than other Schefflera.
- Growth: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor planting in mild climates. It’s less common in cultivation but has a unique look.
Schefflera elegantissima – False Aralia or Dizygotheca
- Appearance: Slender, almost feathery leaves that are dark green with a serrated edge, giving it a more elegant, less broad look than typical Schefflera.
- Growth: Grows more slowly than other Schefflera, typically reaching heights of 3-6 feet indoors.
Schefflera taiwaniana – Taiwan Umbrella Tree
- Appearance: Similar to S. arboricola but with a more pronounced stem and slightly different leaf structure.
- Growth: Suitable for indoor environments, though less commonly found in cultivation.
Schefflera heptaphylla – Ivy Tree or Starleaf
- Appearance: Known for its star-shaped leaf arrangement with 7-9 leaflets.
- Growth: Can be grown into a small tree with a single trunk or as a bushier plant.
Schefflera octophylla – Eightfinger Palm
- Appearance: As the name suggests, each leaf typically has 8 leaflets, though variations can occur.
- Growth: Not as commonly seen in cultivation as other species.