3 Responses to “Leaves Are Falling Off My Schefflera - Help!”

1. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   October 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

   Sue,

   Cold is one of the major factors when schefflera shed their leaves inappropriately. This can be caused by normal temperatures drops outside. The optimum temperature range for schefflera is 59 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below the 59degrees will cause the schefflera to drop it’s leaves. So if the temperatures are dropping where you live it is time to bring the plant in doors. Schefflera as a houseplant can have issues with cold coming from air vent or breezes from open doors. So if your plant is near an air vent or a doorway simply moving it may elevate the problem. Also be careful not to over water your plant during this time. You need to actually check the soil moisture before you water it. Good luck and keep me posted.

2. Gina Mims Says:
   October 28th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

   We have a schefflera plant we repotted it back in the spring and had it out on the deck it was doing great and so full. We brought it in cause of the cold weather at first the leaves started turning brown and then they began to fall off. It looks really bad is it dying and what can we do?

3. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   October 29th, 2008 at 7:35 am

   Gina,

   Your plant is going through transplant plant shock (shock from being moved). First check your light situation. It needs to be in a place that gets close to the same amount of light as it did outside. Then check for air draft from door or air vents. Keep the plant out of these pathways. Finally check your water situation. Most plant have reduced water needs in times of stress and going into the winter. Make sure your soil is moist but not soggy and don’t water it till the soil starts to dry out. After you have done all of those things check for insects. Often when you bring plants inside they will have insects and the warmth of the home will help them increase. If you have an insect problem go down to your local garden center and get a general purpose houseplant spray for insects. Now you must take a wait and see approach. Plants usually recover from transplant shock in a couple of weeks. You may lose a few more leaves until then but don’t panic. You should start to see new leaves as well.

   All of the above suggestions relate to plants that are potted and moved into the house. If you dug up the plant and moved it in to the house, there is one more thing that needs to be done. When you dig up a plant you often cut off some of the roots. As a result the plant may not be able to support all of the foliage. In this case you will have to prune back some of the foliage.

   Good luck and keep me posted.

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