Dwarf umbrella tree Care: How to grow schefflera indoors

Tropical houseplants are known for their unique aesthetic appeal that adds elegance to indoor spaces. However, many of these houseplants are hard to grow because of specific environmental conditions like high humidity or particular watering needs. The dwarf umbrella tree is a perfect choice because of its hardiness and adaptability, making it grow for 25 years or more with little care. 

This beautiful umbrella plant produces long, glossy green leaves that grow in circular groups from a single stem, making it a popular choice for adding greenery to indoor spaces. Its unique oval-shaped leaves have creamy variegation and plain green or lighter patterns. Growcycle offers helpful gardening tips to ensure the best growth for both indoor and outdoor plants.

Origin and History

The dwarf umbrella tree, also known as Schefflera arboricola, is a tropical plant native to Taiwan and Hainan Island in southern China. It grows naturally in forests and thrives in warm, humid climates with indirect sunlight. Over the years, plant lovers have developed many varieties, including those with unique patterns or variegated leaves.

This plant was introduced to the rest of the world in the 20th century as an easy-to-care-for houseplant. It is now widely grown in homes, offices, and gardens and is valued for its low maintenance and ability to improve air quality.

Botany of Dwarf Umbrella Tree

The dwarf umbrella tree belongs to the family Araliaceae. It is a small evergreen shrub or tree known for its unique, glossy, palmate leaves, resembling an umbrella's spokes. Here is an overview of its botany:

• Size: This plant can grow up to 10-15 feet tall outdoors in places like South Florida. However, when kept indoors in a pot, it usually grows to about 4-6 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide. Its height can reach up to 25 feet outdoors. 
• Trunk: The trunk of a young dwarf umbrella tree is green and soft. As it grows, the trunk becomes hard and turns gray. However, this plant can have multiple trunks and is sometimes sold with braided trunks, like Pachira aquatica.
• Leaves: Usually, it has oval-shaped, glossy, evergreen leaves with a leathery texture. Each leaf has 7-9 long, oval-shaped leaflets arranged like spokes on an umbrella.
• Flowers: This dwarf umbrella produces small, yellow-green flowers that bloom in panicles from midsummer to early autumn. Each panicle contains umbels with 5-10 flowers, ranging in diameter from 7-10 mm. The flowers are hermaphroditic and vary in color from yellow to green.
• Fruits: It produces small oval fruits about half a centimeter long. The fruits are orange when they first appear and turn reddish-purple when ripe. However, these fruits are unsafe for humans to eat, and the plant is toxic to animals if ingested.
• Growth Habit: The dwarf umbrella's compact and bushy growth habit brings elegance and beauty to indoor spaces. 
• Growth Rate: While it grows 2–3 feet per year, it reaches its full height in 5–10 years. This plant has a moderate growth rate and can live for 15–25 years with good care.

Benefits of Growing Dwarf Umbrella Tree

There are multiple benefits for growing dwarf umbrella trees that make it a perfect indoor tropical plant.

• Low Maintenance: It is an easy-to-grow tree plant with minimal care requirements, such as filtered water and well-draining soil, making it easy for gardeners with busy schedules.
• Purified Air: This plant helps to improve indoor air quality by removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene, as well as chemicals released by cigarette smoke. 
• Versatile Nature: These plants are versatile and can grow well in most indoor spaces. Hence, they require 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily.
• Protect from Allergy: This umbrella plant purifies the air by absorbing harmful VOCs, benefiting people with respiratory issues like asthma and allergies. However, it also reduces allergens and asthma attacks triggered by VOCs and strong odors.
• Low Stress: It helps improve mood by reducing stress levels, promoting relaxation, and creating a calm and peaceful indoor environment. 
• Aesthetic Appeal: The lush green foliage and umbrella-shaped leaves create an attractive indoor display, perfect for decoration. 
• Productivity Increase: The variegated creamy foliage and glossy leaves boost humans' productivity by creating a lush and smooth aesthetic experience. 
• Sleep Quality Improvement: It improves sleep by purifying the air, which promotes better breathing. However, even having this vibrant green plant in the bedroom can reduce anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep.

Different Varieties of Scheffelera Tree Plant

Scheffelera tree plant has multiple varieties, each offering unique color and growth habits such as: 

Dwarf Umbrella Care Guide 

The dwarf umbrella tree is an adaptable, low-maintenance plant, perfect for indoor use. However, for healthier growth, gardeners must follow certain factors such as:

1. Light

The dwarf umbrella plant grows well in bright, indirect light. It is best to place it near a window with filtered light. However, in summer, gardeners can move it outside, where it receives bright light but not direct sun. 

It is better to avoid placing the plant in direct sun, as it can scorch the leaves, or to use a sheer curtain to soften direct sunlight. If the plant is not getting natural light, gardeners can use a grow light to help it grow.

2. Soil

This plant needs well-draining soil to grow well. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is also best for this plant to drain well. For indoor plants, gardeners can use rich, loose potting soil. However, while grown outdoors, they need slightly acidic sandy loam soil. Gardeners must avoid planting in areas with wet soil, as too much moisture can harm the roots and stunt growth. 

3. Temperature and Humidity 

It thrives in warm, tropical conditions and needs temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C to 24°C). However, it is best not to expose this plant to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) or drafts, which can cause leaf drop or slow growth.

Although this umbrella plant can handle normal room humidity, it needs more moisture. In dry conditions, especially during winter, gardeners can use a humidifier or place the plant in a pebble tray. However, it is important to avoid misting too much, as it can cause fungus in the leaves.

4. Water

Dwarf umbrella trees require regular watering during their active growth season. However, gardeners are advised not to overwater the plant and to wait for the top inches of the soil to dry out before the next watering schedule. 

Plant growth slows down during winter, so it is best to reduce watering. Further, to avoid the stress of cold, chlorinated tap water, use “aged” water. 

5. Fertilizers

The plant needs a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer every two weeks during its growth season, which includes summer and spring. Gardeners are advised to always water the plant first before applying fertilizer, as this can prevent root rot. They can also use slow-release pellets but avoid feeding during the colder months.

It is best to use half the recommended strength liquid fertilizer to avoid leaf burn. As their growth stops, there is no need to fertilize the plants in winter and fall. 

6. Pest and Disease Control 

Dwarf plants can be affected by various pests and diseases. Proper care is important to control these pests. To do so, make sure that the plant gets enough water, light, and nutrients. Gardeners need to regularly check for pests or diseases to diagnose this issue early. 

Gardeners can handly remove scale insects using a water jet or pressure. They can also use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat aphids and mealybugs. Copper fungicide also helps manage bacterial leaf spots. 

How to Propagate a Dwarf Umbrella Tree?

Propagating the dwarf umbrella is simple; here is an easy guide. 

When to Propagate

The best time to propagate a dwarf umbrella tree is early spring when it is actively growing, making root growth easier. While spring is ideal, propagation can still work at other times, but it might require more patience and care. 

For the best results, gardeners must ensure that the cuttings receive enough light, are humid, and have proper airflow. 

Propagate Dwarf Umbrella through Stem Cutting 

• Choose a healthy dwarf umbrella tree that is free of pests and diseases.
• Use sharp, clean scissors to cut a 10 cm stem below a leaf node.
• Choose a stem with 3 to 5 leaves, and remove the lower leaves to reduce water loss.
• Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to help the root grow. (Optional)
• Next, place the cutting in a pot with moist, well-draining soil made for cuttings.
• If rooting in water, put the cutting in water and change it every few days to keep it fresh.
• Gently transplant the water roots as they are too soft.
• Keep the cutting warm, at about 20°C, in a humid place, such as under a plastic bag.

Propagate Dwarf Umbrella through Air Layering

• Choose a healthy branch and remove the leaves from the bottom few inches of the stem.
• Use a clean knife to make two small cuts around the stem, peeling off the bark between the cuts.
• Dip the exposed part in the rooting hormone or use honey or cinnamon to help roots grow.

• Now, soak sphagnum moss in water and wrap it around the stem where the bark was removed.
• Save the moss with ties and cover it with plastic to keep it moist.
• Make sure to check the moss regularly and add water if it gets dry.
• Once roots grow, cut below the roots and trim the top of the plant.
• Plant the rooted stem in a pot and care for it like a regular plant.

Aftercare for Propagated Dwarf Tree Plant

• Once roots form, move the cuttings into appropriately sized pots with well-draining soil.
• Keep the soil moist and place the cutting in indirect light.
• For air-layered plants, once the roots appear, cut carefully and plant in similar well-drained soil.
• Maintain humidity using a plastic bag and monitor for mold or excessive moisture.

Pruning Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Pruning this plant is not a complex process. It is only necessary to give it a clean look. Here is some important guidance about it. 

Best Time to Prune

The best time to prune a dwarf umbrella tree is in late winter or early spring, just before the plant grows actively. Pruning at this time gives the plant time to adjust and focus on new growth during the upcoming growing season.

Signs that Pruning Is Needed

There are a few signs gardeners need to keep a check before pruning the plant. 

• New buds
• Crossing branches.
• Dead branches or leaves
• Disease-infected leaves
• Overgrown stems
• Extra long branches or branches are coming out of the pot

How to Prune and Shape Dwarf Umbrella Tree

• Remove dead or damaged branches to improve appearance and promote healthy growth.
• Thin out the canopy to improve light and air circulation, ensuring balanced growth.
• Trim leggy stems to encourage denser growth and maintain a fuller, more compact shape.
• Make cuts just above a leaf node for a balanced growth and shape.
• Regularly check the plant from different angles to maintain an even shape.
• Prune younger plants by removing about one-third of the leaves. 

Repotting Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Repotting the dwarf umbrella plant ensures its quick, healthy growth. For faster growth, gardeners should follow the following steps:

• Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current pot to give the plant enough space to grow.
• Add a layer of drainage material, such as small stones, at the bottom of the new pot.
• Then, add fresh potting soil on top of the drainage layer.
• Gently remove the umbrella tree from its old pot and remove the old soil from its roots.
• Trim off any dead or damaged roots.
• After trimming, place the plant in the new pot and fill the rest of the pot with fresh soil.

Common Problems of Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Gardeners can face some issues while growing dwarf umbrella trees. Here are some of those problems that need proper solutions:

1. Yellow Leaves

Cause: Overwatering and poor drainage.

Solution: 

• Adjust the watering schedule and only water when the topsoil dries out. 
• In case of severe issues, move the plant to a new pot with well drainage holes. 
• Check the soil moisture level and provide nutrients. 

2. Leggy Stems

Cause: Lack of enough light. 

Solution: 

• Move the plant to a bright, indirect light area for better growth. 
• Remove any damaged or diseased leaves to avoid spreading the disease. 
• Avoid putting the plant in direct sunlight. 

3. Brown Leaves

Cause: Overwatering, improper light, poor soil drainage, and temperature changes.

Solution: 

• Only water the plant when the soil dries out.
• Move the plant into a new pot with well drainage holes and potting soil.
• In case of low light, move the plant into a bright, indirect area. 

FAQs

Can Schefflera grow in low light?

Schefflera can survive in low light but needs bright, indirect light for optimal growth. Slow growth in low light can cause leggy stems. 

Can Schefflera be grown outdoors?

Yes, Schefflera plants can be grown outdoors in tropical or subtropical regions where temperatures do not fall below 50°F (10°C) or remain between 12-16°C. However, it is best to keep them indoors in colder climates as houseplants.

Is the Dwarf Umbrella Tree toxic to pets?

Yes, the dwarf umbrella tree is toxic to dogs and cats. If pets chew on the plant, it can irritate due to harmful compounds, such as calcium oxalate crystals, saponins, and terpenoids. 

The Bottom Line

The dwarf umbrella tree is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that produces oval-shaped, glossy green leaves, making it perfect for adding beauty to indoor spaces. The versatility of this plant helps grow yellow-green flowers and small oval fruits for a longer period, with proper care. 

Proper repotting and propagation techniques can help this plant live for 10 to 25 years. Growcycle offers guidance on multiple tropical houseplant varieties that require minimal care. 

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.