The Schefflera plant, commonly known as the umbrella plant, is a small tree that grows in tropical climates. If you are growing this plant for the first time, you may wonder if it blooms or not. We have researched the growing patterns and maintenance needed for the Schefflera plant, and in this post, we will share them with you.
Yes, the Schefflera plant does bloom. However, when grown indoors, it rarely does so. If you are looking for the Schefflera plant to bloom, it's best to either take it outdoors for the spring and summer months or provide it with more daytime light. You also want to ensure that you provide it with the maintenance needed to produce a summer bloom.
When grown properly outdoors, some Schefflera plants can produce small red, yellow flowers in compound clusters. However, it's more common to see the Schefflera plant blooming outdoors where it grows wild. This plant is native to Taiwan, and it reaches heights up to 3 to 6 ft tall both indoors and outdoors. Keep reading to learn even more about caring for this unique plant to promote beautiful blooms.
How do I get my Schefflera to bloom?
If you want your Schefflera plant to bloom, it may be best to grow it outdoors. However, these plants can bloom indoors, though it may be challenging to accomplish this. For this, arborists recommend providing the plant with as much sunlight as possible and placing it on a monitored maintenance plan.
The plan includes ensuring the plant has all of the sunlight, watering, and nutrients that it needs to stay healthy and produce a summer bloom. Let's take a closer look at some of the care tips for encouraging the plant to bloom.
Daily Sunlight
The Schefflera plant loves bright indirect sunlight daily. If you are growing the plants indoors and looking for summer bloom, move the plant to an outdoor location where it can receive full but not direct sunlight daily.
For example, a covered patio or partially covered garden will work well for the plant. Note that the extra sunlight makes the plant grow a bit faster than normal, so be sure to trim it if it becomes too tall for your covered space. Also, don't place the planet and direct intense sunlight, as it can cause the leaves to scorch and burn.
Soil Conditions
Like many plants of this variety, the Schefflera plant prefers loose, rich, moist soil. Make sure that the soil is well-draining. Additives such as sand and loan can help to produce slightly acidic soil, which is perfect for this plant. If planting the tree outdoors, be sure to avoid planting it in an often wet location or in a shady area.
Watering
The Schefflera tree only needs a weekly watering during the growing season. However, if the plant is grown outdoors, you can also mist the leaves to prevent them from drying out. During the summer months, it's best to test the soil before watering to ensure that the plant's roots don't become waterlogged.
To do this, simply place your finger about an inch into the soil. If it's dry and crumbly, be sure to water the plant. But if the soil is still moist, wait a day or two before the next water and session.
It's easy to overwater the plant during the winter, so to cut back on the watering sessions during this time. And if you notice that the leaves are beginning to drop are turn yellow, the chances are that the plant is overwatered.
Temperature
Remember that the Schefflera is a tropical plant. It thrives in high temperature and humidity areas. The ideal temperature range is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It's best not to place the plant near dry heating vents or especially drafty areas, as it can cause the leaves to wither.
Fertilizing
When it comes to fertilizing, the Schefflera plant is a bit demanding. Try to fertilize the plant once or twice a week during the growing season using a slow-release pellet or liquid fertilizer. This heavy feeder will definitely benefit from the additional nutrients, which will also encourage a summer bloom.
Find this fertilizer on Amazon.
Pruning
You may need to prune the Schefflera plant occasionally, especially if it doesn't receive sufficient light during the day. To do this, simply cut off any dead or dying branches and leaves. You'll also want to trim the plant when it becomes too leggy or overgrown.
Re-potting
As the Schefflera plant grows each year, it will eventually become too big for the original pot that it's in. Depending on how much sunlight the plant receives, you'll need to replace the pot every two to three years. It's best to re-pot the plant during the springtime while it is full of energy.
However, you'll want to make sure that the newer pot is bigger but not too big to where the roots will easily become waterlogged from overwatering. The pot should have at least one drainage hole on the bottom.
Remember, these plants prefer fast-draining moist soil. If you need to, add pumice or perlite to the soil, as it can help create aeration and prevent over-watering.
Quickly Treat Common Growing Issues
To encourage a full summer bloom, it's best to resolve any common problems that the plant may face and keep an eye out for common issues. Let's take a look at a few of them.
Dropping leaves
Leaf dropping is normal. However, if a lot of leaves are beginning to fall off within a relatively short time, it's likely that something is going wrong. A sudden drop will typically occur if the plant is exposed to too cold temperatures, overwatered, underwatered, or has a fungal infection.
Overwatering
It's very easy to overwater the Schefflera plant, especially during the winter months. Remember to let the soil dry out completely before each watering. It's best that the plant has a day or two to breathe before it's watered again. And if you move the plant from indoors to an outdoor location, you may need to water it more often.
The plant grows leggy or is lacks leave growth
If you notice that your Schefflera plant is becoming leggy or grows fewer leaves than it normally does, the chances are that the plant needs more daily sunlight. The new branches and leaves should start growing closer together with more sunlight instead of spaced out along each stem. Ensure that the temperature setting is ideal for the plant.
Yellow leaves
If you notice yellow leaves on occasion, this may not be a big issue. However, if you notice it occurring more often in addition to leaf droppings, there may be an issue with the plant.
A bit of investigation into the plant's soil condition, watering frequency, sunlight access, and temperature setting can help you determine why the leaves are becoming discolored.
Find this moisture meter on Amazon.
Leaves have brown or crispy edges
If the leaves start turning brown or producing crispy, dry edges, the chances are that the plant is receiving too much direct sunlight. Try moving the plant to an area where there is sufficient but indirect light. For example, a covered porch or south-facing window may be better.
Drooping leaves
Dropping leaves can also be a common issue with the Schefflera plant. If you notice the plant's leaves starting to droop or wilt, the first thing to do is check the soil. This issue is most often caused by either underwatering or overwatering the plant.
How often should you water a Schefflera?
Typically the plant requires a weekly watering session during its growing season. However, during its dormant winter season, you may only need to water the plant once every two to three weeks.
It's best to wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering the plant again. The best way to go about it is to simply test the soil hydration level using your finger.
Are Schefflera indoor plants?
Yes. Schefflera plants make for wonderful indoor plants and can grow well in these conditions. As long as the plant receives daily direct sunlight, weekly watering, and is maintained at a temperature above 60 degrees, it should thrive.
How much sun does a Schefflera plant need?
On average, the plant will need about four to six hours in direct sunlight daily to grow.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see, ensuring a summer bloom may be challenging for the indoor Schefflera plant, but it's not impossible. The most important thing to remember is to provide the plant with the sunlight that it needs by either moving it into a brighter location in your home or outdoors.
Check out some of our other posts before you go:
Why Is My Echeveria Dying? [With Tips On What To Do About It]