Meet a Houseplant Which Does Not Mind Neglect
If you are like most active homeowners, you need your indoor plants to endure insufficient growing conditions and a few neglect and then. The umbrella plant, also called schefflera, delivers on this.
I reside in a subtropical climate in which nighttime temperatures rarely dip below freezing, therefore for me schefflera is also a excellent choice for the outdoors. Or I can choose to transfer my plants out in the spring and then bring them back in when winter approaches. I really have two big schefflera bushes which have been thankfully growing for years in containers. I loved the first one so much that after nine years that I could not resist buying a second.
Tamara Mack Design
Schefflera is different since it has leaves which are arranged in groups like spokes around a centre point; they are sometimes variegated or solid green. Additionally, there’s also a dwarf schefflera, which is generally the number sold as a houseplant.
While the dwarf variant is comparable in height to the standard schefflerawhen raisedindoors, there’s a noticeable gap between the two as far as foliage size — that the leaves of the dwarf schefflera are roughly half the magnitude of the regular schefflera’s. Outdoors and in the floor, the regular schefflera can reach a height of 40 ft, versus a maximum of 15 feet for the dwarf schefflera.
Two big plants are really much more difficult to care for than one, so why don’t you opt for symmetry in a massive space? The tall schefflera plants flanking the Arts and Crafts–style fireplace wall here add a wonderful green signature into the cheerful area, decorated with an eclectic beachy-jungle decorative due to the faux zebra skin and blue accents reminiscent of the sea.
Note: Scheffleras is on the tall and skinny side, so if you’re searching for something bushy, do not be afraid to buy two plants and weed them together in a very big container.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Schefflera can be a bush or a tree. I like them equally, but as an easy-to-care-for indoor tree is hard to find, you may try schefflera in its tree form. As you may see, thetree is not dumb like a ficus, for example, but what it lacks in greenery it makes up for on account of its forgiving nature.
J Rich Design
A small schefflera makes a wonderful companion to this classic wooden chest and abstract painting. While I am not personally a fan of blending red and green, green crops really do work nicely with reddish tones found in natural wooden furniture, a wooden flooring as well as decorative accents. Green and Red are, after all, colors that are complementary.
Urrutia Design
The schefflera in this comfy and tastefully decorated contemporary living area is just the right size to balance the lush greenery from the garden beyond and offer an original departure from all the brown tones in the room.
Logan’s Hammer Building & Renovation
Schefflera makes a great small plant also; it is simple to take care of and may be taken to the sink for watering. In a home with wooden floors, like this one, sink flushing prevents damage to wooden floors from overflow.
Dayna Katlin Interiors
A tall schefflera nicely fills the corner in this neutral-toned living area and also blurs the line between inside and out.
RLH Studio
A massive schefflera, using its relaxed shape, brings a playful tropical atmosphere to this conventional sunroom.
An entry foyer is an perfect place for a big houseplant, and also this schefflera appears to be thriving.
How to care for your schefflera:
Light: Bright diffused sun, however as a houseplant schefflera doesn’t tolerate direct sun unless it is acclimated. In most tropical and subtropical regions, schefflera is a garden plant, in which case it can be OK in direct sun. Infection: Approximately 35 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 27 degrees Celsius). If your climate rarely goes below freezing, then feel free to transfer your schefflera outdoors. Water: Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so proper drainage is a must. Ideally you need to set the plant on a saucer of stones to catch the runoff whilst keeping the roots warm and aiding in increased humidity in the disappearing water. Foliage that turns black is quite likely a indication of overwatering, whilst foliage which starts to wrinkle is a indication of underwatering. Soil: Utilize well-draining potting soil. Feeding: Fertilizer isn’t necessary. Pruning: Schefflera may get leggy, so in the event that you prefer a bush, prune it to maintain a compact shape. Schefflera bounces back even following a radical haircut, so don’t be afraid to prune heavily. Pests: Schefflera is known to become readily infested with spider mites. If you see infestation, the very best nontoxic choice is to make a soapy water solution and mist the plant using it at least once a week.
Other considerations:
Air purification: Known to be effective in the removal of formaldehyde and benzene airborne toxins. Cautions: Schefflera are poisonous to people and animals if consumed. It is not frequently fatal if ingested, but will cause a burning feeling, swelling, trouble swallowing and in acute instances trouble in breathing. Native habitat: Taiwan and Hainan Island, China.
More: 8 Houseplants You Can Not Kill