Houseplant - Schefflera. Schefflera (Schefflera). Description, types and care of cheflera Optimal temperature for growing

"Schefflera arboricola" is a miniature version of "Schefflera arboricola". In nature, this evergreen plant reaches 8–9 meters in height (Radiate grows up to 15 meters). Young shoots are green and become brown as they become woody. The compound leaves consist of 7–9 parts, each of which can reach 20 cm in length and 4 cm in width.

In domestic plants it grows up to 2 meters. Breeders have developed many varieties of this plant, differing in the shape and color of the leaves. Among the popular ones are Gold Capella (with golden spots on the leaves), Hong Kong, Compacta and others.

Photo

The photo shows the plant with proper care at home:

Home care

Actions after purchase

Young "Schefflers" are usually sold seated in thin plastic containers with peat or other light substrate. You can give the plant a few days to get used to the new conditions, and then you need to transplant it into a larger diameter pot with a thick layer of drainage and suitable soil.

Temperature

"Schefflera" prefers cool weather; the best temperature range for it is 16–22°C.

In summer, they feel good outdoors; they can be taken out to the balcony, protected from direct rays of the sun.

Too high a temperature harms the plant and causes leaves to fall off, so even in the cold season you should not place a pot of Schefflera near a radiator or heater.

For wintering, it is better to choose a cool room 14–16°C, but do not allow the temperature to drop below 12°C.

Lighting

They grow best under diffused but bright light. Direct sun can cause burns on the leaves, so it is better to place the plant on the east or west side.

You can install adjustable blinds on your window to keep leaves and soil from drying out. If wintering takes place in a warm room where the temperature is above 17–18 C, additional lighting will be needed, preferably installing fluorescent lamps.

Watering

"Schefflera" requires uniform watering to maintain soil moisture during the growing season. In winter, watering should be reduced. The soil may dry out between waterings, but the roots should not be allowed to dry out or, conversely, moisture to stagnate - this can lead to root rot or infection of the plant.

Blackening leaves are a sure sign of overwatering. Lack of moisture can be identified by wrinkled or curling leaves.

Fertilizer

During the period of active growth (from April to October), you can fertilize with complex fertilizer for indoor plants every 10–15 days. If desired, you can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers.

Transplantation and soil

It is best to replant Schefflera in the spring; young plants require replanting every 2 years, and for older ones - every 4–5 years.

You will need light soil with a slightly acidic reaction.

Ready-made soil for palm trees or a mixture of turf and leaf soil, sand and humus (2:1:1:1) is suitable.

Particular attention should be paid to the drainage layer - it should occupy at least a quarter of the height of the pot. Expanded clay is suitable for drainage.

After transplanting, you need to give the plant time to get used to the new soil. After about a month, you can resume feeding.

Trimming

Its rapid growth can cause inconvenience when kept in small spaces. If the plant has become too tall, you need to prune it by removing the upper part of the shoot with the growing point.

This will give an impetus to the branching of "Schefflera" and prevent it from growing too large. The resulting cutting can be rooted. The optimal time for pruning is early March.

Interesting! By regularly trimming the tops you can get a round crown.

If you want to give the plant a tree shape, you need to remove the lower side leaves.

Reproduction

"Schefflera" grown at home usually does not bloom or produce seeds., therefore, it is propagated by semi-hardened cuttings or air laterals.

Cuttings cut with a sharp knife are placed in a soil substrate of equal parts sand and peat. To ensure a suitable temperature (about 22°C), diffused light and humidity, you need to cover them with film or place them in a greenhouse. After rooting, the temperature should be reduced to 18°C.

Young plants can be replanted when their roots envelop the entire earthen ball. The diameter of the pot should be no more than 9 cm. Low temperature, no higher than 16°C, promotes better growth.

Air layering can be obtained from a large mature tree by making a cut in the trunk. Place sphagnum moss soaked in a nutrient medium on the cut and wrap it with film. By maintaining the moisture of the moss, after a few months you can get roots on the tree trunk.

After this, you need to cut the trunk just below the cut point. The remaining part is also likely to produce new shoots if it is cut off at the root and watered regularly. In this way you can get two plants from one.

Diseases and pests

"Schefflera arborescens" is less susceptible to pest attacks than other species of this plant.

Most often, “Schefflera” is attacked by spider mites.

This happens at low air humidity, so for prevention it is enough to spray the leaves of the plant with a weak soap solution once a week.

Other insect pests that are partial to “Schefflera” are aphids, scale insects, and thrips.

All of them are sensitive to modern insecticides.

Overly wet soil can cause root rot.

To combat the disease, you need to reduce the intensity of watering and treat the soil with a fungicide solution.

Important! Schefflera leaves are a kind of monitor of the plant’s condition.

So, light spots on them indicate too bright lighting. If leaves fall in winter, you need to raise the room temperature and reduce watering. If they fall off in summer, on the contrary, move them to a cooler place.

Benefits and harms

"Schefflera arborescens" is a mildly poisonous plant. However, it is unlikely to cause harm to an adult. As a safety precaution, you can wash your hands after trimming the plant and avoid getting its sap in your eyes.

Attention! Owners of small animals and cats should treat Schefflera with caution.

At the first signs of poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness), it is necessary to take your pet to a veterinarian.

In a well-lit, spacious room, "Schefflera Tree" quickly grows into a beautiful tall plant. It’s worth paying a little attention to it to protect it from drought and pests, and the open palms of the leaves will delight the eye with their bright glossy green all year round.

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Description of the plant, some varieties, caring for shefflera in an apartment or office, tips on propagation and replanting, pest and disease control.

The content of the article:

Schefflera - the plant is classified as a member of the Araliaceae family, which includes up to 200 representatives. Under natural conditions, Schefflera most often grows in the countries of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, but is also found in many countries in the tropical zones of the globe. It bears its name in honor of the 18th century German botanist Jacob Christian Scheffler. Sometimes its second name is “umbrella tree” because of the unusually dissected leaf plates, which, like the object of the same name, are held on a straight petiole and emerge from one point.

Schefflera can take a wide variety of forms in nature: tree, shrub, climbing plant. If shefflera is a tree-like representative, then in apartment conditions it can reach 2 m, which is incomparable with its natural size - up to 20–40 m. Shefflera leaves are distinguished by their great originality - the appearance of an open palm. With age, the leaves of the plant become more intricate and interesting and never lose their color depending on the changing seasons. The “umbrellas” of young plants can have up to 8 leaves, and already mature schefflers include up to 16 pieces in such rosettes. The leaf plate itself may seem to be cut into pieces.

In apartment conditions, Schefflera almost does not bloom, but in nature its paniculate inflorescences or in the form of a brush produce small bottle-yellow flowers. But the color of the petals can vary greatly in the natural environment from white to a rich wine shade. It is possible to look at the flowering of shefflera and even its fruits only in specially equipped greenhouses.

Of the many representatives of this family, only a few varieties differ in decorative leaves, and they are bred indoors.

Types of Schefflera for home breeding


(Schefflera actinophylla). The most favorite variety among gardeners. Native habitat: Australian territories. Sometimes it is called star-leaved. Can reach up to 12 m in height in natural conditions. The plant has a tree-like shape and has a powerful trunk, which is distinguished by a wide base of a dusty brown hue. The petioles of the leaves are quite long and colored bottle-red. Each leaf blade is divided into 14–16 oval-elongated parts with a pointed apex. Half can reach up to 12 cm in length. The color of the leaves is rich malachite, with a glossy surface. There is a variety that is decorated with mustard-colored leaves - Green Gold. And the Nova variety is distinguished by a yellow-olive tint of leaves and teeth along the edges. The flowers of this shefflera are deep yellow or scarlet, collected in a raceme-like inflorescence.

Schefflera eight-leaved(Schefflera octophylla). It is sometimes called the “octopus tree” because of the structure of its leaves. The very long petioles have a milky tint and hang down strongly. There are up to 12 leaves on the petioles. Their shape is elongated along the entire length (up to 40 cm) and becomes pointed towards the apex, the base is rounded. The leaves are rough to the touch and glossy. When young they have a bottle-yellow tint, and with further growth they become richly malachite, and the veins on the leaf are clearly visible due to the difference in shades. The reverse side of the leaf blade is a dull, dull yellow-green hue. The color of the buds is bottle-yellow; when opened, there are usually 5 petals interspersed with stamens on long stalks.

Schefflera arborescens(Schefflera arboricola). Australian and New Guinea territories are considered to be their homeland. It is a low climbing form with an upright growing trunk with multiple stems and root shoots. Young shoots have a grassy color, and over time they darken and turn brown. The dark emerald leaves are divided into 16 parts, have an ellipsoidal shape with a point at the base and a rounded top. This species has complex unpaired pinnateness. The petioles are light yellow, not long. Flowering occurs in a paniculate inflorescence in which yellowish-green flowers are collected. There are also varieties that differ in the decorative coloring of their leaves:

  • Gold Capella - has palm-shaped leaf blades with yellow markings randomly scattered across them;
  • Amate - leaves of a bright malachite hue, a variety that shows amazing resistance to harmful insects and can grow in the shade.
Schefflera palmata(Schefflera digitata). Native habitat of New Zealand. They have the shape of a tree reaching 8 meters in height. The leaf blades have a palm-shaped shape, are divided into 10 parts, with a length of up to 35 cm. The parts have an oval-elongated shape with pointed ends on both edges, up to 6 cm wide. The leaves are thin, similar to a parchment plate, glossy. Young leaves have featheriness along the edges, which over time becomes sparsely serrated. The leaf petiole is in the form of a long, about 20 cm tube. Flowering occurs on umbellate inflorescences collected from 4–8 miniature flowers, which are only 6 mm in diameter. There are varieties of this variety that never shed their leaf mass and are distinguished by the variegated coloring of their leaves.

Schefflera the most graceful(Schefflera elegantissima). A plant characterized by highly decorative leaf mass. There are very few stems. The trunk is distinguished by its dusty brown hue and graceful shape. Each petiole grows up to 12 leaves of complex shape. They have elongated, very elongated outlines with a jagged edge. The plant when kept at home can reach 2 m in height.

Scheffler Veitch(Schefflera veitchii). The leaf blade has an oval-elongated shape, the edges of which have a wavy appearance. The leaf color of young plants will change from reddish to deep emerald with age.

Schefflera varieties are very popular, which are distinguished by the mosaic coloring of the leaf plates in various shades of yellow and green. Since young plants have good trunk flexibility, they can be formed into a bonsai style or intertwined stems. The crown is also shaped at your own discretion by regular pruning.

Caring for Schefflera at home

  • Required lighting. Schefflera loves bright light, but it requires good enough light, without scorching rays. If the plant stands for a long time unprotected from direct sunlight, burns may occur on the leaves. Windows that receive the non-scorching rays of dawn or sunset are suitable. Only if the leaves of Schefflera have a bright malachite color, then shady northern windows may be suitable for them. But in the months when daylight hours become short, the sheffler can be placed on a south window or supplemented with special lamps, this will be especially required if the temperature is above 18 degrees. As the air temperature rises, the shefflera is taken out into the open, but they choose a place where the rays of the sun do not fall during lunch hours.
  • Growing temperature. Schefflera prefers moderate temperatures, during the spring-summer period the indicators should not exceed 20 degrees, during the autumn-winter period they should drop below 12. It is preferable to lower the temperature at night. But for plants with leaf spotting, the indicators in winter should not decrease below 18 degrees. Schefflera does not tolerate elevated temperatures very well, and if you place it next to radiators, it may drop its leaves.
  • Air humidity. For shefflera, high moisture content in the air is very important, this is especially necessary if the plant overwinters at high temperatures. Schefflera likes frequent spraying. To do this, take warm, settled water, which can be boiled, rain or melt water. If this is not enough, then you can place the pot with the plant in a deep container, pour small pebbles or expanded clay into it and pour water. The height of the water should be such that the roots of the schefflera do not touch it. Sometimes moss or peat is placed on the bottom instead of expanded clay.
  • Watering the schefflera. Schefflera should be watered moderately, only when the top layer of soil in the pot dries out. Restrictions on watering are necessary as temperatures drop. In any case, waterlogging of the soil is detrimental for shefflera, which can lead to rotting of the root system. Water for irrigation is taken from soft water, which can either be settled for at least two days or collected rain or melt water. The water temperature is made slightly warmer than room temperature so that the earth is approximately the same temperature as the air.
  • Feeding Schefflera. When Schefflera begins to grow rapidly, and this begins with the arrival of spring, they begin to use fertilizers that contain mineral complexes - universal additives for indoor plants. The frequency of fertilizing is once every two weeks. In winter, fertilizers are not used. It is recommended to spray the leaf mass with bioregulators monthly. They begin to feed the Schefflera with fertilizers after transplantation, only after the appearance of young leaves.
  • Transplantation and soil selection. If the plant is young, then the transplantation procedure must be performed annually. In adulthood, Schefflera is transplanted only when necessary, once every few years. They try to choose a new pot much larger than the previous one, since the shefflera is very overgrown with roots. At the bottom of the pot, it is necessary to make high-quality drainage and pour at least a quarter of the volume of small expanded clay, finely broken broken shards or bricks. The acidity of the new substrate should be weak (not exceeding pH 6). The soil should be light; sometimes for schefflera they choose ready-made soil for palm trees. But if you make it yourself, then you need 2 parts of high soil, and one part each of humus and sand. Also, to increase the nutritional value of the soil, one part of the leaf soil is added to it.
  • Shefflera pruning. To increase the decorative value of a plant, it is customary to plant several plants in one pot. You can achieve the shape of a shefflera tree by regularly pruning the crown. But if you cut the plant too much, it will begin to shed its leaves.

Reproduction of Schefflera


There are several methods for propagating this beautiful plant:
  • cuttings;
  • air layering;
  • seed material.
Almost lignified shoots are suitable for selecting cuttings. For successful rooting, it is better to dip them in a root formation stimulator before planting, and then place them in a substrate based on sand and peat soil, taken in equal parts. The ground heating temperature should be at least 24 degrees, but it is not advisable to use a radiator for this. The container with cuttings must be covered with a plastic bag, but the seedlings must be sprayed and ventilated periodically. Lighting should be soft and without direct rays. As soon as the cuttings take root, the temperature is lowered to 18 degrees. As soon as the root system of the cutting has developed sufficiently and has mastered the entire soil, it can be transplanted into a separate pot with a diameter of up to 9 cm. A place for the pot can be chosen with more intense lighting and the temperature can be lowered to 14–16 degrees.

If shefflera has reached a large size, then it is possible to propagate it by aerial shoots. With this procedure, at the beginning of the spring months, the shefflers make a small incision on the trunk, and this place is swaddled with moistened sphagnum moss, which is saturated with stimulating nutrient solutions (for example, taking 1 g of complex fertilizer and diluting it in 1 liter of water). As soon as the moss begins to dry out, it is again soaked in the solution. After a couple of months, root shoots will begin to form at the operation site. After another two months, the leaf crown with root formations is removed below the roots and placed in another pot with a prepared substrate, as for young plants. The old tree is cut almost to the ground, covered with damp moss and continued to be moistened. With such actions, there is a possibility that the remains of the shefflera will produce additional shoots.

Scheffleras begin propagating by seeds at the end of winter. To sow seed material, take the same soil as for cuttings, but sometimes you can make another light soil mixture based on top soil, rotted leaves and sand, taken in equal parts. The soil is disinfected before planting seeds, for example, in an oven at high temperature. Seeds can be soaked briefly in a solution of water, epin or zircon before planting. The seeds are sown at a distance equal to the length of two seeds, the ground is sprayed and the conditions of a mini-greenhouse are arranged. The container with seeds can be covered with a piece of glass or wrapped in a plastic bag. Constant heating of the substrate to 24 degrees is required. The container is subjected to constant ventilation and the soil is sprayed.

When the shoots with the first 2-3 leaves appear, they can be planted in plastic cups and the temperature for them is already lowered to 18 degrees. When the root system of the seedlings has completely mastered the soil, it is necessary to change the pot to a container with a diameter of at least 9 cm and further reduce the temperature to 14 degrees. Young shefflers grow very rapidly, and by the autumn months there will be a need to increase the pot by 3–5 cm. To transplant grown shefflers, the part of the top soil in the substrate is doubled.

Fight against harmful insects and Schefflera diseases

Schefflera leaves can fall off for many reasons - the plant stood for a long time under the scorching rays of the sun or there was a draft in the winter months, the earthen ball was too wet, and rotting of the root system began.


If whitish spots appear on the leaf plates, the sheffler needs to be removed from bright light. The leaves have lost their rich color and the shoots have become very elongated - there is not enough lighting for the shefflera. If air humidity is low, the edges of the leaf plates dry out. The appearance of brown spots on the leaves indicates very dry air and drying out of the earthen clod.

For information on caring for shefflera at home, watch this video:

1. Growing temperature: throughout the year, fairly cool conditions at a temperature of 16 - 18 degrees Celsius are suitable for shefflera.
2. Lighting: Brightly lit location with shade from direct sun.
3. Watering and air humidity: in spring and summer, dry the soil 2 - 3 centimeters deep before each subsequent watering; in winter, simply protect the earthen ball from drying out completely if the plant is in a cool place. Air humidity is quite high.
4. Trimming: Regular pruning and pinching of the tips of young shoots to form a compact and bushy plant.
5. Priming: a well-drained and nutritious substrate that easily allows moisture and air to pass to the roots of the flower.
6. Top dressing: from spring to autumn, feed monthly with mineral fertilizers for decorative foliage plants.
7. Reproduction: rooting of stem and leaf cuttings, rarely by seeds.

Botanical name: Schefflera.

Schefflera domestica - family. Araliaceae.

Homeland of the plant. Australia and Oceania.

What it looks like. The genus consists of approximately 900 evergreen shrubs, vines or low trees. Most indoor plants are shrubs with erect stems. With age stems become lignified and covered with light brown bark.

Complex leaves Schefflers have very long petioles and are arranged alternately on the stems. The leaves consist of oblong-oval segments arranged in a circle, the number of segments varies from 5 to 14. In green-leaved species, the leaves are solid green; variegated varieties are distinguished by the presence of white or yellow spots on the leaves.

In nature, shefflera is thrown away flower stalks, bearing many small, often reddish flowers. After flowering, the plant forms rounded berries.

Height. In its natural environment, the Schefflera flower takes on impressive sizes and can reach 14 m. in height. In indoor conditions, plants are pruned or low varieties are grown.

The size of plants at home is also affected by the volume of the pot - in cramped containers, plant development slows down.

2. Schefflera care at home

2.1.Reproduction, growing from a leaf

Schefflera breeds stem cuttings under a cover made of transparent plastic or glass using growth hormones.

Rooting is quite easy, sometimes even in a simple glass of water in spring and summer. It is worth adding a small amount of crushed charcoal to the water for rooting.

It is advisable to treat the bases of the cuttings with growth hormones and cover the young plants with a transparent plastic cap or a simple plastic bag to maintain uniform humidity.

2.2.Transplant

Young plants are planted annually into fresh soil and a larger pot, adults - transplant every 2 - 3 years.

For tuber bushes, the replanting of which is difficult, the top layer of the mixture is replaced with fresh soil annually.

The plant should be given a fairly spacious pot to increase the feeding area.

2.3.When it blooms

At home, flowering occurs very rarely. In nature, plants bloom during the summer months.

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2.4.How to care for shefflera, pruning

The plant is very popular in culture due to its spectacular appearance and ease of cultivation.

Wipe occasionally leaves plants with a damp sponge to remove dust.

Trim the Schefflera in the fall to maintain a compact shape. The plant responds to pruning by the appearance of a large number of side shoots, which allows it to form a thick and lush crown.

Pinch apical buds of young plants to form a dense crown.

Provide long stems support for growth.

Periodically turn the pot with the shefflera on different sides facing the light source so that the plant develops symmetrically.

2.5.Diseases and pests

  • Yellowing and abscission leaves may be caused by stagnation of moisture at the roots.
  • With periodic flooding, the plant becomes sluggish and this behavior encourages novice gardeners to water, which further aggravates the situation.Unfortunately, this situation often leads to the death of the sheffler.
  • When there is a lack of light, plants become elongated.
  • As the plant ages, it may lose lower leaves and expose the stems - such plants should be subjected to radical anti-aging pruning.
  • Lack of moisture causes the plant drop leaves.
  • The leaves are getting smaller and fade due to lack of nutrients.
  • If there are cold drafts in the room or placed near heating devices, plants may lose leaves.

Among the harmful insects that can attack the flower are mealybugs, aphids and red spider mites, and scale insects.

Insects - pests

Insect name Signs of infection Control measures
The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with a fluffy, cotton-like white coating. Plants lag behind in development Folk remedies: spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Infusions of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, and pharmacy tincture of calendula have worked well. Chemicals: green soap solution, Actellik, Fitoverm.
Inconspicuous cobwebs on the leaves, yellowing and falling leaves with extensive damage. The surface of the leaf plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down. Traditional methods. Plants can be washed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Actellik.
Sticky droplets appear on the leaf blades, the leaf blades curl and become deformed, tender buds and young leaves wither. Colonies of insects can be seen on the tips of shoots, buds or the underside of leaf blades. The flowers of plants affected by aphids may become deformed. Traditional methods: infusion of nettle, decoction of rhubarb leaves, wormwood, soap solution, infusion of tobacco and dandelion, onion, marigold, yarrow, tansy, dusting with virgin ash. Chemicals: Sulfur powders, treatment of green mass with green potassium soap without getting into the ground, Decis, Actellik, Fitoverm.
Scale insect and false scale insect Sticky droplets on the leaves, small yellow spots on the surface of the leaf blades. When scale insects become widespread, they cause leaves to dry out and fall off. Flowers slow down their development Folk methods of struggle. Spraying with soap and alcohol solution. Scale insect larvae do not like garlic infusion; they also use pyrethrum-based products. Chemicals. Fitoverm, Aktellik, Fufanon.




  • 2.6.Soil

    Loose nutrient soil with good drainage.

    A mixture of garden soil with leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of coarse river sand and crushed charcoal is suitable.

    2.7.Watering

    The frequency of watering will depend on the ambient temperature.

    When kept in a room with a temperature above 20° C, maintain the soil evenly moist, but not swampy. At a temperature of about 16 ° C - dry the top layer of soil with a thickness of about 3 cm. between waterings.

    A few minutes after watering, excess moisture from the pan should be drained.

    2.8.Fertilizers for shefflera

    In spring and summer feed liquid fertilizers monthly. In autumn and winter, plants are given rest and feeding is stopped.

    2.9.Lighting

    A brightly lit area with plenty of reflected sunlight, but without access to direct rays.

    Plants also develop well in partial shade, but they can react to a lack of light by yellowing and dropping leaves.

    2.10.Temperature

    She prefers Schefflera at home cool conditions and does not like extreme heat.

    Throughout the year, it is advisable to keep plants at a temperature 16 - 18°C. At higher room temperatures, the frequency of watering and air humidity should be increased.

    During the winter months Not expose plants to temperature below 10°C.

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    2.11.Spraying

    Increase humidity with tray with wet pebbles or room humidifier, and also surrounding the pot with a layer wet sphagnum moss.

    Spray The plant can be washed in the morning with water at room temperature.

    Schefflera can be kept indoors without additional humidification, but will look healthier with increased air humidity.

    2.12.Purpose

    Suitable for landscaping spacious and bright rooms.

    2.13.
    Note

    All above-ground parts of the plant poisonous– be careful when handling schefflera and keep children and pets away from the plant.

    This species will grow indoors with proper care within many years.

    2.14.Hydroponics

    Grows well in hydroponics.

    3.Varieties:

    3.1.Schefflera "Gerda" - Schefflera arboricola "Gerda"

    A beautiful variety of tree-like schefflera with variegated, glossy leaves, colored greenish, yellow or white in the center of the leaf blade, and greenish along the edges of the leaves. The plant can reach a height of 2.5 - 3 m, so it needs periodic corrective pruning.

    3.2.Schefflera arboricola "Janine"

    A low tree-like variegated Schefflera, forming a very lush bush. The leaves are divided into 5 - 7 glossy, oblong-oval, entire-edged segments - fingers, colored in shades of green, white or yellowish. The main distinguishing feature of this variety is that many segments have a solid white, greenish or yellow color.

    3.3.Schefflera "Nora"

    An aerial variety of tree-like shefflera, characterized by its compact size. The leaves are uniform - green, glossy, divided into 5 - 7 very thin, oval fingers. Sometimes on sale you can find plants of this variety with beautifully braided trunks.

    3.4. Schefflera "Melanie" - Schefflera "Melanie"

    A variegated variant of the tree-like Schefflera, about 50 cm high, with very attractive compound, palmate leaves. The main shade of the leaves is light green or yellowish; standard green may be present only on some fingers or along the edges of the leaf blades in the form of a thin strip.

    3.5.Schefflera elegantissima "Bianca"

    Schefflera graceful is also called dizygotheca. A valuable ornamental foliage plant with tall, erect, often branched shoots at the base and complex leaves divided into “fingers.” This variety has very long fingers, and the edges of the leaf blades have large teeth. The leaves are dark green with a thin white border along the edges. The central vein is also highlighted in a light shade. Overall, the plant has a delicate, airy appearance.

    3.6. Schefflera "Louisiana" - Schefflera "Louisiana"

    Variety of tree-like schefflera. The plants are tall - they can reach a height of 70 to 150 cm. The stems are erect, branching abundantly, become woody with age and are covered with light brown bark. The leaves are compound, palmate, green, glossy. The fingers are oblong-lanceolate, thin, giving the entire appearance of the plant an openwork appearance.

    3.7.Schefflera actinophylla

    In the natural environment, this species often grows as an epiphyte on other trees, although it reaches impressive sizes - up to 12 m in height. It has erect, branched shoots that become woody with age and become covered with smooth greenish-brown bark. The leaves are compound - consist of 7 - 16 fingers, with drooping long, dark green, glossy fingers, reaching a diameter of 60 cm. Often the edges of the leaf blades are slightly corrugated. In nature, this species has the most gorgeous flowering - large inflorescences with many small pinkish flowers are formed at the tops of the shoots.

    3.8. Schefflera "Amate" - Schefflera "Amate"

    A variety of palmate schefflera, a tall plant, easily reaching 2 m in height even in indoor conditions. The leaves are compound, consisting of dark green, glossy, relatively wide fingers. It differs in that even mature plants do not expose the lower part of the trunk, in addition, leaf fall does not occur even in low light conditions.

    3.9.Schefflera “Gold Capella” - Schefflera “Gold Capella”

    A variegated version of the tree-like schefflera. Evergreen perennial plants up to 3 m high with dark green palmate leaves. The stems are thick, erect, and become covered with smooth greenish bark with age. Plants with intertwined trunks are often found on sale. A striking varietal feature is the presence of yellow spots of various shapes and sizes on the leaves of plants.

    3.10. Schefflera "Charlotte" - Schefflera "Charlotte"

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If you want to have an original small tree in your home with unique leaves that will attract attention with its grace and beauty, then get a houseplant called a shefflera, which will not be difficult to care for at home. Today we will advise you on how to properly care for the plant and tell you what to do if the leaves of the Schefflera turn black.

We will introduce you to varieties of indoor plants that are especially famous among gardeners. You can choose from them and buy the one you like. You can not only buy the plant, but also propagate it using seeds or cuttings.

Grows in natural conditions in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia. It is characterized by finger-dissected leaves, consisting of 8-16 lobes, emanating from 1 point, as if the spokes of one open umbrella.

The tree species includes an amazing variety “ Gerda" It has bright green-yellow leaves. Does not tolerate direct sunlight, but in partial shade it may lose its brightness and turn pale. The leaves look like open rosettes.

The tree-like Schefflera variety also has rosette-shaped leaves. Janine" The foliage is bright, openwork. Green leaves are interspersed with large white spots and streaks. It can also grow in partial shade, but the color of the leaves will not be affected.


Schefflera varieties with bright malachite flowers can also be placed on northern windows in the shade in the summer, without fear that the foliage will fade. But at a time when daylight hours are decreasing, the plant needs to be moved to the south side or illuminated with special lamps.

There is no need to keep varieties with variegated leaves in an apartment where there is little light, because they will become monochromatic and the pattern will disappear.

The temperature in winter should be 16-18 degrees, but not lower than +12. In summer, the temperature for growing shefflera should be 20 degrees, because it does not like heat and prefers moderate temperatures.

Watering

This tropical beauty is demanding on the quantity and quality of water. The water you use to water your indoor plant should sit for several days.

Watering should be done with water at room temperature or 2 degrees higher. The earth ball in the pot should always be kept moist; dried soil will slow down the growth of the plant and can lead to the dropping of leaves.

Watering should be done moderately. Stagnation of water will lead to rotting of the root system. Therefore, it is better to use root watering in a deep tray with gravel.

The humidity of the air where the shefflera stands must be high, so the plant must be frequently sprayed with settled water: boiled, melt or rain.

If dust has accumulated on the leaves, you should wash it in the shower or wipe with a soft, damp cloth. In winter, when the heating radiators are turned on, it is necessary that there is always water in the trays with gravel and expanded clay, but the roots should not touch it. Sometimes you can use moss or peat instead of expanded clay.

Shefflera fertilizer

From March to August, Scheffler needs to be fed with complex mineral fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants 2-3 times a month.

A tablespoon of eggshells can also be used as a top dressing, alternating with fertilizers. There is no need to feed the plant in winter.

To get a beautiful flower shape, cut off the top. After this, side shoots begin to grow, giving the plant the shape you want. The lush spherical tree looks very impressive. You can also trim the bottom and side shoots.

How Schefflera reproduces

A houseplant propagates in three ways:

  1. seeds;
  2. cuttings;
  3. air layering.

The soil should be heated to a temperature of 22-24 degrees. It is good to place the crops on a heating pad with a thermostat. Cover them with glass or polyethylene and put them in a warm place.

Regularly ventilate and moisten crops. As soon as sprouts of 2-3 leaves appear, make a pick and reduce the temperature to 20 degrees. By autumn, transplant the plant into clay pots.

Shefflera transplant

The plant should be replanted once every two to three years. If the shefflera is young, then any interference in the development of the plant will entail a negative reaction on its part: it will shed its leaves.

A young indoor plant is transplanted using the transshipment method. It is taken out of the pot, the roots and the ground are inspected so that there are no pests on them. The lump of earth is not touched or removed.

Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pot, which is slightly larger than the previous one, new soil is added, the plant is turned over, and then more soil is added.

Shefflers finish replanting by watering. If the plant is mature, then you need to remove it from the pot, remove the soil from the roots, and inspect the rhizome to ensure there is no rot.

If everything is in order, place drainage at the bottom of the pot, preferably expanded clay. Fill with soil, place the flower, straightening the roots, add the remaining soil, and water generously.

Land for replanting the plant: 2 parts turf, 1 part leaf, 1 part humus, 1 part sand.

Difficulties in growing Schefflera

While caring for your shefflera, you may encounter a number of difficulties:

Why does Schefflera shed its leaves?


The leaves turn black.

This occurs due to excessive and frequent watering. The water does not have time to leave and its excess leads to rotting of the rhizome, and then to the blackness of the leaves.


Pest Control

Pests that appear on a flower can destroy it. The following pests grow on the sheffler:

When a plant is infected with scale insects, yellow and brown plaques appear on the underside of the leaf. Sticky dew, yellowness of leaves, their falling, drooping, flaccid top of the plant indicate infection.


Thrips.
Their appearance on the flower is indicated by brown and gray spots. Small pests move quickly, so they can harm other plants located nearby. It is urgent to isolate the shefflera, and wash off the insects with soapy water or treat them with an insecticide.

You found out what kind of plant this is - Schefflera. Caring for it at home will help you not only grow a beautiful indoor plant, but also enrich the air with ozone and neutralize the effects of cigarette smoke.

Follow the rules of care, and the Schefflera flower will delight you with its beauty, elegance and originality for a long time.

Schefflera is a colorful ornamental plant prized for its showy leaves. Named after the famous German botanist Jakob Christian Scheffler. Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii are considered its homeland.

Schefflera leaves have a complex structure. Each of them consists of 4-12 separate leaves. So, one sheet vaguely resembles a palm with outstretched fingers. Represents the Araliev family.

Types and varieties

The genus includes about 200 plant species. The most common are:

  • - the most common type. The trunk is powerful, dark brown, the petioles are long, the leaves are palmate with 7 lobes. Depending on the variety, the color of the leaves varies from golden yellow to olive yellow-green. Grows at home;
  • Tree-like– is a low tree with complex odd-pinnate leaves up to 20 cm in length. Depending on the variety, they can be bright green or with yellow spots. Grown at home;
  • – elongated leaves up to 40 cm long, each leaf is cut into 8-10 lobes, color – green;
  • – leaves up to 35 cm in length, with 7-10 leaflets on each petiole.

Dimensions of an adult plant

Representatives of the Araliaceae family are bushes, vines and trees. In nature, the height of the plant can reach 40 meters. At home - about 2 meters - to the ceiling.

Schefflera lends itself well to shaping: depending on your desire and imagination, you can get a bush or a tree. Shefflera also makes an excellent bonsai!

Lifespan

Schefflera can live up to 10 years with proper care.

Under natural conditions, the age of shefflera is measured in decades. At home, exotic grows and develops more slowly. However, with good care it will please you for more than 10 years.

With age, the lower leaves fall off and the trunk becomes bare. Therefore, to maintain the aesthetic appearance, you can replant young plants. Schefflera blooms extremely rarely at home. Under favorable conditions and skillful care, flowering is possible after the eighth year of life.

Schefflera is not considered a capricious and demanding plant. Subject to simple growing conditions, it pleases the grower with the lush beauty of its foliage. But often inexperienced lovers of exotic plants have problems caring for them. Most often, this plant suddenly begins to drop its leaves.