🌿 Species guide
🌳 Schefflera
🌳 In brief — Schefflera
Large size: Actinophylla Amate H100, Compacta H80 — living room, office · Compact: Charlotte, Gerda, Nora — shelf, individual office · Panaché: Gold Capella — good light essential · Enemy #1: overwatering → leaf drop · Toxic to cats and dogs
The Schefflera — umbrella tree or umbrella plant — is one of the most popular indoor plants for large spaces. Its palmate leaves arranged in a star around a central petiole give it a very recognizable and very decorative silhouette. Easy to care for, tolerant of partial shade, it comes in very varied sizes. This guide covers all varieties and the keys to successful care.
Schefflera varieties
The Schefflera genus includes several hundred species native to Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Indoors, two species dominate: Schefflera actinophylla (large architectural sizes) and Schefflera arboricola (compact sizes and Panaché varieties). They all share the same basic needs.
The Amate variety is the most robust of the large Schefflera — selected for resistance to indoor conditions. Its large shiny dark green leaves group up to 12 leaflets. Ideal for spacious entrances and living rooms.
See the Amate →
Very slow growth, dense and regular habit — the Compacta stays in its size for years without pruning. Its small leaves in compact umbrellas give it a very neat appearance. Ideal for office, reception, open space.
See the Compacta →
Palmate leaves splashed with yellow and green — the most common Panaché variety. To maintain its colors, it needs good indirect light. Very decorative in a bright interior.
See the Gold Capella →
Leaves slightly rounder than Nora, soft and natural look. At H45 cm, ideal on furniture, a low shelf, or a desk. Its naturally full habit requires no pruning to stay harmonious.
See the Charlotte →
The smallest size in the range — at H35 cm, it’s an ideal desk or shelf plant for very tight spaces. All the family’s qualities in a mini size. Perfect as a gift or first purchase.
See the Gerda →The complete Schefflera collection includes other available sizes.
Quick comparison
| Variety | Pruning | Light | Growth | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actinophylla Amate | H100 cm | Partial shade to light | Moderate | Large living room, entrance |
| Compacta H80 | H80 cm | Partial shade | Slow | Professional office, open space |
| Gold Capella | Variable | Good light | Moderate | Bright interior |
| Charlotte | H45 cm | Partial shade | Slow | Furniture, shelf |
| Gerda | H35 cm | Partial shade | Very slow | Individual desk, gift |
General care
Light
Schefflera tolerates partial shade well — it’s one of its great qualities. The green varieties (Amate, Compacta, Charlotte, Gerda) adapt to moderate indirect light. The panaché varieties (Gold Capella) need good indirect light to maintain their colors. Avoid direct sun which burns the leaves. See the light and humidity guide.
Watering — the critical point
Overwatering is the main cause of problems with Schefflera — it causes leaf drop and root rot. Water when the top 3–4 cm of substrate is dry, using the finger test. In winter, reduce to watering once every 2–3 weeks. See the complete watering guide.
Pruning
Schefflera is easy to prune — cut stems in spring to the desired length with a clean tool. Pruning stimulates branching and creates a denser plant. An etiolated or too tall Schefflera can be rejuvenated by severe pruning without any problem.
Repotting and fertilizing
Repot every 2 years in spring in a pot 3–4 cm larger. Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month from May to September. See the repotting guide.
- Water when the first 3–4 cm are dry — never excessively
- Partial shade tolerated — good light for variegated varieties
- No cold drafts, no temperatures below 12 °C
- Fertilize once a month from May to September
- Prune in spring to stimulate branching
- Toxic — keep out of reach of animals
Common problems and solutions
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Massive leaf drop | Overwatering (main cause) | Let the substrate dry completely, reduce watering |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering or lack of light | Check the substrate, improve exposure. See yellow leaves |
| Etiolated stems | Lack of light | Move closer to a window, prune etiolated stems |
| Variegated colors fading | Insufficient light | Improve exposure — essential for Gold Capella |
| Mealybugs | Air too dry | 70° alcohol on cotton, then neem oil. See the diagnosis guide |
| Leaves curling up | Draft or cold | Keep away from poorly insulated windows and cold sources |
Verdeia Collection
All Schefflera varieties
From the compact Gerda H35 to the Actinophylla Amate H100 — 7 varieties for all spaces and budgets.
Frequently asked questions
Bright indirect light (partial shade tolerated), moderate watering when the top 3–4 cm are dry, monthly fertilization from May to September, repotting every 2 years. The finger test is essential — overwatering is the main cause of problems. See the watering guide.
Almost always overwatering. Check the substrate — if it is constantly wet, drastically reduce watering and let it dry out. Lack of light, cold drafts, and temperatures below 12 °C can also cause leaf drop. See the diagnosis guide.
Yes — Schefflera prunes very well in spring. Cut the stems to the desired length with a clean tool. New shoots will appear below the cut point. Pruning encourages branching and results in a denser, bushier plant. Severe pruning is possible to rejuvenate a plant that is too tall or leggy.
Yes — all varieties are toxic to cats and dogs. Keep out of reach. For a home with pets, check our selection of pet-friendly plants — Calathea or Spathiphyllum offer a similar shape and are non-toxic.
Verdeia shop
Find your ideal Schefflera
From mini desk size to large umbrella tree for the living room — there is a Schefflera for every space.
