5 Responses to “Why Is My Schefflera Dying?”

1. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   November 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

   BJ

   I believe you have some type of insect damage occurring. Look for the following things a sticky substance on the leaves can indicate aphid damage; a white or cottony substance can indicate scale damage;small moving insects seen with a magnifying glass indicates spider mite infestation.
   All of these can be controlled with either a soapy water mixture or a houseplant insecticde from your local nursery & garden center.

   You plant, also, looks as if it is under going a water or temperature issue. If this plant was previously outside and then brought in that could be the cause of some of the problems. Check to make sure that an air vent is not blowing directly on the plant. As for water, make sure that the plant is allowed to dry slightly before you water it.

   Does the plant have any lower leaves? If so, I would trim the long thin stalks back to the lower green leaves. In a few weeks fertilze the plant and it should start to put on new growth.
   Good luck and keep me posted.

2. BJ Says:
   November 14th, 2008 at 9:47 am

   Thanks for your advice. I washed my schefflera with Safer brand Insect Killing Soap and it's actually looking better! Oddly, some of the brown tips "washed" off. I think I may lose a few more leaves, but it looks like the worst of the damage is over. I'll continue to wash it once-a-week for another couple of weeks, and then continue the treatment once-a-month.

   I don't have any leaves at the bottom, so I'm afraid to cut it back. Perhaps in the Spring I'll cut the stems down and hope for the best. Good idea?

   Thanks, again!

3. Jamie Jamison Adams Says:
   November 14th, 2008 at 11:22 am

   BJ,

   If you don't have any leaves on the bottom, I would definitely wait until spring to cut it back. I would experiment with cutting back only one stem when you do. Good luck and keep me posted.

4. milt Says:
   May 31st, 2011 at 4:41 pm

   I have a single stalk and want to trim it. If cut all the leaves off and the stem back half way will it die or can it survive. i don't want it in a large pot but it is unstable now. it is about 15 years old and surprisingly healthy. Thank you.

   Milt

   Attached Image: photo.jpg

5. Mandy Maxwell Says:
   June 8th, 2011 at 9:13 am

   Most likely if you cut all the leaves off it will die. One thing you might try if you are wanting a smaller plant is to propagate a new one. This is easy to do. Simply cut the top off with at least 6-8 inches of stem. Cut your branch at an angle and dip it in rooting hormone, which you can find at any garden center or nursery. Then stick your top into moist soil until it roots (be sure to keep the soil moist until then.) You can do this with the side branches as well, although they don't take as well as the top. But if they do, give them away as gifts! Watch your stalk, in about two weeks it will either leaf back out or die.