Australian Umbrella Tree

Heptapleurum actinophyllum aka Schefflera actinophylla
Regular price $136.00
Regular price Sale price $136.00
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Australian Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum aka Schefflera) is an easy plant to grow and just requires bright, indirect light. Keep your digital thermometer nearby and only water when he's nearly dry. Umbrella trees can live to almost 25 years and get up to 10 feet tall indoors. Enjoy the bushy tendency and width he requires as he grows, and give him a wide berth. His finger-like leaves appear like an open umbrella, hence the name. We imagine this was Mary Poppin's favorite plant since it kept her in check and guided her!

Heptapleurum actinophyllum aka Schefflera actinophylla Care Guide

    Keep your plant in bright to medium indirect light exposure and turn your plant each time you water to keep the plant from leaning in one direction.

    Let your plant dry out almost completely before watering.

    This plant will enjoy high humidity to low humidity.

    Keep this plant out of cold drafts near open windows or doors to prevent leaf drop.

    Outside: Keep it in part shade (morning sun) on a patio out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. Bring inside when nights are below 55°F.

    Apply a liquid fertilizer especially formulated for indoor plants.  Apply during the spring, summer and fall season. Let it rest during the winter.

    When receiving the Umbrella tree plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes.
    Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.)
    Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
    Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let it sit an hour.
    Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
    Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
    Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
    Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.   

     

    To shape your Umbrella tree, use pruners and cut right above the leaves. From here, the stem will fork and create two stems and produce more growth. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased leaves. Remove dropped leaves on the soil surface and replenish the soil if needed.

    Take a stem cutting between 4-6 inches long with leaves attached with sanitized pruners.
    Dip the cuttings in water, then in a rooting hormone.
    Use a pot with drainage. and place the stem 1-2 inches down into the  damp, well-draining, moist potting soil mix and tamp down around the stem securing it.
    Place a clear plastic bag over the cutting to mimic a greenhouse and mist the bag. Set it in bright, indirect sunlight while they are rooting.
    Check the moisture and humidity each day and add misting to keep the soil moist while the roots establish.
    After 6-8 weeks, roots will begin to establish. You can tug onto the stem to ensure the roots are secure.