How to Transplant Schefflera Arboricola

The Schefflera arboricola is a dwarf variety of the schefflera, or umbrella tree. They are native to tropical climates, and make ideal low-maintenance houseplants. The arboricola variety thrives in indirect sunlight and will live for many years. When you bring the plant home, it may have an odd smell due to fish emulsions used at the nursery as fertilizer. You can transplant the tree to a new pot to get rid of the smell. You will also need to transplant it if the existing pot is too small.

Plant container
General-purpose potting soil
Newspaper
Hand spade

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the new pot halfway with general-purpose potting soil. The pot itself should have drainage holes in the bottom and come with a removable saucer that sits underneath the pot.
- 2
  Place the new pot and the original pot that still houses the plant on a piece of newspaper so you can collect dirt later. Insert a hand spade between the pot and the soil to loosen the plant.
- 3
  Tip the plant on its side and gently pull it out of the old pot by its base. Knock the old soil off the roots.
- 4
  Lower the schefflera into the new pot. Fill the pot the rest of the way with the potting soil, until it is planted at the same depth it was in the original pot.
- 5
  Water until the soil settles. Set the plant in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Throw away the newspaper and the soil that spilled onto it.

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