Schefflera actinophylla

When Do You Transplant An Umbrella Plant?

January 21, 2011 by Neal Adams

Ask the Expert: best time to transplant an umbrella plant it’s starting to get top heavy? Danielle

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: You can transplant Umbrella Plants (Schefflera) basically anytime they have outgrown their pots. However, if you can’t re-pot your plant indoors wait until a warmer season to do it. Schefflera don’t like cold temperatures and transplant shock will be much worse if the plant gets cold.

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Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Plant Transplanting, Schefflera actinophylla

Ask The Expert: What Is This ‘Uniquely Twisted’ Houseplant?

November 3, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 2 Comments

Ask The Expert: This woody, palmate, rounded lance-shaped leaf plant grew out of a viney, heart-shaped alternate-leafed pathos. More than once. This is the only one I saved. My friend has one about six feet tall, and she said it was an “elephant- bush”, or something, but I can’t find anything like it. The trunk is uniquely twisted, or meandering. The other identifying info on the trunk is that it is layered, like some palms, like a grass. -David

Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: David, what I believe you have there is a Schefflera actinophylla (also called Brassica actinophylla), also know as “green Schefflera” or “octopus tree.” A hardy, evergreen shrub that is popular as a houseplant. It can withstand tough conditions making it perfect for any living arrangement. A green Schefflera in good condition looks more like this:

You said your friend’s green Schefflera tree is ‘uniquely twisted’, this is not surprising. This type of tree is easy to shape and lends itself well to bonsai art.

This plant flourishes in a lot of light. Green Schefflera require an evenly moist environment. Water moderately during growth and keep only moist to the touch in winter. For more, go to Green Schefflera House Plant Care and Information.

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Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Dwarf Umbrella Tree, Houseplant, Schefflera, Schefflera actinophylla

Brown Seed On Schefflera Could Be Brown Soft Scale

July 30, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: schefflera problem
I have a schefflera plant which I take outside during the spring and summer months. It grows like crazy. Last year i noticed these brownish seed like things on many of the leaves. I cut it way back, and again this year thoughs seed like things are covering a good portion of it. I don’t know if its a bug or disease problem and haven’t been able to find anything that describes this problem. Stephanie

Plant Expert Reply:

Brown Soft Scale

It sounds like you might have an insect called brown soft scale. I found this picture of Brown Soft Scale From University of Florida” Does the brown scale look like the brown seed on your schefflera?

You will need to spray an insectide on your plant to kill these insects. You will need one that is safe to use on houseplants. Your local garden center should have one. You can also try insecticidal soap which can be found at your local garden center.

Filed Under: Insect Identification Tagged With: Houseplants, Insect Identification, Scale Insects, Schefflera actinophylla

Your Plant Clipping Is A Schefflera

March 24, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 4 Comments

Schefflera

Ask the Expert: I would like to know what kind of plant this is. this clipping was given to me and I’m not sure how to care for it or ever what kind of plant it is. Jimmy

Reply:

What you have is a Schefflera actinophylla (sny Brassaia actinophylla). This plant has many common names: octopus tree, Australian ivy plam, Queensland umbrella, umbrella plant.

It makes a good houseplant. This plant can become quite large and may out-grow the typical home environment. However, this Schefflera won’t reach extreme heights fro some time. In the mean time, it will make a nice addition to your home. It will need a room with lots of light and the soil will need to be kept moist to the touch. You might want to read our Caring For Schefflera page (the plant care will be towards the bottom of the page).

Good luck with your new plant and keep me posted.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification, Schefflera, Schefflera actinophylla

Jack Frost Bit My Schefflera!

December 4, 2008 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: What do I do with my schefflera?
I left my schefflera outside and it was cold, I brought it in and all the leaves are brown and droopy. I don’t think it is completely dead. What can I do to insure that it will survive? Barbara

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Cold Tolerance of Plants, Plant Care Questions, Schefflera actinophylla

Why Is My Schefflera Dying?

November 11, 2008 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: My Schefflera is Dying
I have a 22-year old schefflera that stands about 4 feet high. It\’s leaves started to get hard with a whitish tint about 6 months ago. Now the leaves are slowly browning at the tips and are either falling off one-by-one or the entire stem is falling off. Can I save it?

I repotted the plant and I mist it daily, but my once full, healthy plant is now thin and bare.

Please help me save it. Thanks. BJ

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Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Care Questions, Schefflera actinophylla

How Green Schefflera Houseplants Beautify Your World

October 14, 2008 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

I get lazy around the holidays and very much enjoy the chance to relax with my family and friends. This is probably the biggest reason why I chose to highlight the Green Schefflera plant this month. Schefflera plants (Schefflera actinophylla or Brassia actinophylla) are easy to care for and easy to love. Ask almost anyone and you’ll hear the same resounding praises about buying Schefflera houseplants for beginners or sending Schefflera as gifts.

The world is such a green place to live right now with a rise in eco-friendly activism. Certain members of my family have bounced onto the environmentally friendly bandwagon. It’s very hard to shop for someone who is so particular. The great thing about houseplants is that you cannot find a more green gift—literally! Beginners or seasoned houseplant experts love Green Schefflera plants and can always find fun new ways to decorate their homes with the wonderful houseplant.

Though I prefer a different kind of green gift, there is one thing that strikes my fancy about my Schefflera plants. They flourish in my home with little effort from me. I’ll put that in a way that deserves more fanfare. Green Schefflera plant care is simple enough for everyone. Schefflera plants require only very basic attention. Water occasionally, make sure it receives adequate light, repot in the spring and you’re done!

Green Schefflera plants add an unparalleled ambiance to any room. Going to work is just a bit more fun when you are able to look forward to gazing at Schefflera plant all day. The rich green color of Schefflera houseplants adds pep to boring rainy days. It’s almost a certainty that whatever your mood, Schefflera plants make it better. Easy care and a more fulfilling environment. What more can you want from a houseplant?

Green Schefflera plants make great gift ideas!

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Plant Suggestions Tagged With: Brassia actinophylla, Gift Ideas, Plant Profile, Plant Suggestions, Schefflera, Schefflera actinophylla

2 Mystery Plants Need Identification

December 10, 2007 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Ask the Expert: One plant has multiple thin palm-like shoots that come up (they have sections like palm tree but are fairly smooth) and the leaves have pinnate veins and are palmate compound that have 7 or 8 on each apex. The shape of the leaves is are elliptical oblanceolate and the margins are entire. They are tough, dark and shiny green in color but not thick like a fig leaf.

The other plant has a thick green shiny stem with a petiole that is longer than the distance between each petiole. The leaves are about the same color as the stem (medium green) and are simple with pinnate veins and entire margins, but the younger leaves are ovate while the older leaves are elliptical with a cordate base. All the leaves have a tendancy to curl in towards the midrib a bit and the petioles are alternating up the stem.

I would love it if you could help me with this or even refer to someone else who might be able to…

Thanks,

Tami

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Australian Ivy Palm, Heartleaf Philodendron, Philodendron cordatum, Plant Identification, Schefflera actinophylla