The Season of Growth for Schefflera Amate or Umbrella Plant

Characteristics

• Umbrella plants are prized for their leaves and overall form. The leaves are frequently variegated and grow in clusters at the end of long stems, creating an unusual umbrella-shaped spoke pattern. The foliage is a deep, glossy green, with long, ovoid leaves that increase in size and quantity as the plant ages, reaching lengths up to 12 inches. Umbrella plants are perennial in favorable climates, and may be invasive if planted outdoors. Schefflera actinophylla Amate flowers in summer in sufficient light, but produces blooms much less frequently indoors.

Growth

• Umbrella plants are originally native to tropical rainforests, and are thus well-adapted to light levels and climatic conditions on the forest floor. They prefer mild to warm climates with full sun to partial shade, and grow for most of the year under the right conditions. Growth slows or ceases completely in winter, depending on local conditions. Growth patterns may be different for umbrella plants grown indoors, especially if they are located away from natural sources of light.

As a Houseplant

• The larger varieties of Schefflera are commonly used to decorate offices, malls and other public spaces. Smaller cultivars, such as Schefflera actinophylla Amate, are more frequently used as residential houseplants. Umbrella plants grown indoors require medium to high light levels; any area with enough natural light for comfortable reading will generally suffice. Locate them well away from heating or cooling vents and drafts, and fertilize regularly with a blend suitable for houseplants. Indoor umbrella plants require infrequent water and should only be irrigated when the top of the soil is completely dry.

Common Problems

• Umbrella plants are relatively hardy plants, not typically susceptible to insect pests or fungal and bacterial infections. Spider mites, however, are problematic for Schefflera grown indoors as houseplants. The plants grow leggy if deprived of sufficient light and are very sensitive to cold and overwatering. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit causes leaf loss, death of various plant tissues, and reduced resistance to disease. Leaf spot and mealybugs are occasional threats. Most problems stem from improper watering.