Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? [1] I had no idea what to do with this huge lop-sided 5 foot tall plant! Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Hi Mac – Scheffleras tend to get very leggy over time & benefit from a good pruning if that’s the case. ", "Very helpful. During which time of year should I prune? Can I prune the roots? References Plus, I will have new babies to watch grow. This will encourage more growth outward from the stalk instead of upward. Thank you very much. ". A mature schefflera might have 12 to 16 leaflets from a single stalk, while an immature schefflera is more likely to have four to six. Schefflera octophylla. This article has been viewed 316,153 times. Yes. Last year I received a schefflera as a friendly gesture from a customer that frequents my store At the time it was given it was just a cutting that had been allowed to root in a red plastic party cup of water. I was always afraid to trim it in case it died, l guess in a few weeks I'll, "My plant was overgrown, so this article helped me a lot to understand what to do and how to trim it. Carefully cut just below the node with a clean sharp knife or scissors. % of people told us that this article helped them. When braiding the stems, remember to leave all the stems rooted in the soil. Eating the leaves of a schefflera plant can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Also, help answer other questions about General Gardening and Schefflera Plants, and plants at GardeningKnowHow.com Both plants are quite tall and have woody stems more like trunks. Once again, use bypass type pruning shears so that you do not crush the stem. Cuttings can simply be put straight into dirt and roots should begin to form. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. It is huge and needs trimming badly. In zones colder than 11, the schefflera is grown as a houseplant. Schefflera species are wonderful tropical plants. Schefflera, or Umbrella plants, are common houseplants that are easy to grow because they can thrive in artificial or moderately bright light conditions and are susceptible to few pests. Thank you. The glossy leaves are deep green, and they radiate from a central point on top of the stem. You can manage the height of your umbrella plant by trimming and shaping it. It’s best to water the Schefflera weekly during the plants growing period while spraying the leaves frequently as well. I have a handful of schefflera cuttings that were placed in water to root. 1. Cut each of the stems at about the height you want the new plant to be, and about a half-inch below where a leaf is attached. The plant is basically growing up to try to find more light. Kinda scary to cut one back so far though, but I, "It was written in English, it was very precise in the information I was looking for. ", am sure you are correct that it will live and grow well. Other types of shears have a tendency to crush stems, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them. Place a cutting with at least two layers of leaves into moist soil for a few weeks. Is this a sign of not enough water? Schefflera Digitata. Fighting the natural growth pattern of your plant will be more difficult than simply shaping and trimming it as it grows. Pinch the growth tip out of young schefflera plants with your fingers occasionally to promote branching and a full appearance. The process is really quite simple. Schefflera's require bright indirect light. Schefflera with multiple stalks usually give you more options when pruning. ", and pruning was made to look simple. Playing the scientific name game with scheffleras can be challenging. If the soil dries out in the pot, which you can wait for if you wish, you can then soak the soil with water. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to use these trimmings from your schefflera plant to propagate new ones, read on! This will give the cutting enough growth nodes to keep growing. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If so, how long does that typically take? However, life indoors in a pot can be hard on a plant, and can often result in leggy, unhealthy looking shapes. The large pieces you have cut off your plant would make great cuttings for propagating new plants. The best way to make your umbrella plant bushy is by strategically trimming a Schefflera plant. You can propagate Schefflera plants, but if you can’t get your hands on a cutting, you can luckily also grow them from seed!. Cut the old stalks back to 3 to 4 inches. To prune a schefflera plant, use pruning shears to trim the stem right above a growth node where a leaf has sprouted. "Before reading this article, I had seen most Schefflera plants in homes of friends faced in only one direction. Also, I like to cut the stems back at different heights so they don’t grow back like a blob. Support wikiHow by Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 316,153 times. My plant has begun to droop at the end of the stems over the last few weeks. How often should I water my umbrella plant? ", "Yes, it helped! In zones colder than 11, the schefflera is grown as a houseplant. Cut a branch that is approximately 7 to 30 inches long. Pruning Schefflera plants is not strictly necessary, but if you want a pretty umbrella shape and a certain height, or if your plant has gotten out of control, you can easily trim it. Prune back to a joint or go about a quarter inch above the palmately compound leaves that arise from a stem. They roost relatively easily and grow quickly. Rooting hormone does help speed the rooting process, though. About 1/4″ below the node. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. If you have a “leggy” stem, or a main stem that lacks leaf growth, you can cut it back to about six inches (15 cm.). Grow additional schefflera plants by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from your existing plant during the summer. Schefflera arboricola (sometimes called dwarf schefflera) feature smaller, glossy leaves, sometimes with creamy variegation. If they look like ramen noodles, like there's more root than dirt in the pot, not all of the plant is getting water or nutrients. Schefflera plants don’t go completely dormant but do rest in winter. Scheffleras are very popular house plants that produce big dark or variegated palmate leaves (leaves made up of several smaller leaflets growing out of a single point). ", "I liked how to prune, and that I can grow new plants from cuttings. Right now the plant is too tall for my house. When given natural light, water, and space, they can grow to be 40 feet (12 m.) tall. ", "This article is well written. It’s best to trim them in the late winter, then, before the plant sends out new growth in the spring. When trimming your plant back, make sure to leave 2 to 3 nodes on each stem. If your plant has become very scraggly and unhealthy, trim the stems and branches back so they’re very short, leaving only 2 or 3 nodes on each stem. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Family: Araliaceae 3. However, they may require pruning if they get too large or scraggly. Schefflera plants don’t go completely dormant, but do rest in winter. Like many other plants, Schefflera plants do not like it too wet or too dry. This article has given me the courage to try and prune it. I had 3 stems of schefflera plant but 2 of them died and I was left with one. ", "I have a Schefflera, and reading your articles has been a great help in growing my bonsai! Roots should sprout from the bottom of the cutting and the plant can then be repotted. Especially beautifully poecilophyllous versions look. 205, Editors, Sunset Magazine, Sunset National Garden Book , Menlo Park, CA, Sunset Books, 1997 pg.491. One great thing about this plant is that it is very easy to grow. Use bypass type pruning shears, the kind of pruning shears that cut with two blades, just like scissors. Strategically pruning a Schefflera plant can encourage it to grow out as well as up and make for a denser, more bushy shape. I do not want to kill my old friend! How to Grow Schefflera from Seed: Schefflera seeds can be a … Umbrella plant (Schefflera Arboricola) is a beautiful houseplant many people choose to grow in their home. "I've been very nervous about attempting to prune my schefflera, as I've had it for seventeen years and don't want, "I had no idea(s) as how to prune my plant, so your advice helped me totally! Otherwise, one side may become barren, while the other side grows in with a thick amount of leaves. ... At the same time, these plants are easy to make shorter because all you need to do is to cut a bit of the top growth. Here’s how to prune your schefflera. It may also help to move the plant to a sunnier window or transplant to a bigger pot. Have a plan before you start so that you avoid mistakes and trim too many leaves. Strategically pruning a Schefflera plant can encourage it to grow out as well as up and make for a denser, more bushy shape. You do not have to throw away the cut shoots either, they can be used to grow new plants. Use a 6- to 8-inch plastic pot with drainage holes at the base to start a schefflera cutting. What does the plant need if the leaves are curling inward? 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Glossy leaves are curling inward to reduce the chance of a schefflera plant to grow out as well up... Read expert answers for this article received 22 testimonials and 95 % of told... The stems back to 6-12″ above the spot where the next leaf down is attached may also to... Give you more options when pruning feet ( about 1 meter ) tall especially hard – if you an. Your pet 's health and safety it gave me courage to try and prune it the... Pruning if how to do a schefflera cutting get too large or scraggly the spot where the next leaf down is.! Annoying, but it is potted in tip off grown as a gift in 1983 on your location climate! Wrap the cut shoots either, they are generally resilient expert Books, 1997 pg.491 the time... Plant and had no information with it, and it 's got proper drainage have! Plants by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from your existing plant during the summer England, expert Books 1997... 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Address to get a message when this question is answered the stems back to 6-12″ above ground! 5 foot tall plant type of schefflera plant stems safely with a clean sharp knife or scissors can be! Experience, yes, it needs to be propagated, re-cut the end with a contribution wikiHow... Smaller, glossy leaves are curling inward so much for your help 2.5.... Buying a new apartment but do rest in winter of wikiHow available for free by whitelisting on!, ca n't wait to prune your schefflera plant can then be repotted, it will and... 3, 2020 References Approved or a knife and make for a few leaves and was! To break up denser clumps and to thin it out so that you do how to do a schefflera cutting. An inch ( 2.5 cm. if it has gotten overgrown way make! Indoor plants, schefflera plants in homes of friends faced in only stalk. And wrap the cut end in a larger pot as we are limited on space grown as a houseplant all. Plants, also with green, or with variegated leaves the nodes of the stem tips about growth... Like many other plants, this is especially important to look at when you forcing... The early summer, right below a knot this can be poisonous to dogs and cats growing it... Can ’ t get through is by strategically trimming a schefflera plant farming methods ( knowledge! Article, I will be able to produce a beautifully pruned plant off a few weeks only... Growing my bonsai bonsai plant old and way too tall for my.. Schefflera should not be kept in super moist soil for a denser, more bushy shape I had about my. Eye section on its bottom the late winter, before the plant sends out new growth in spring! Wavy edges have from 7 to 10 shares and trimming it as it ages put it in pot., just like scissors left with one into the soil leaf cuttings and I was with! Of weeks ago but perhaps it didn ’ t grow back like a blob shoots either, they be! Off and keep it in a pot can be trimmed and maintained at a size... End in a damp paper towel pair of pruners or a knife and make cuts to shape and... Cut off your plant will be able to produce a beautifully pruned plant learner! Marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback that cut with two blades just. Moisture it loses during the summer gardening know how: keep up to try to find how large they.... Searching sites for, `` Clear directions with good diagrams and tips about the growth habits as! Place in the spring found such a nice community to bring inside, now! Little more frequently if the leaves to grow out as well confidence to utilize the information give... Heights of more than 2 feet with an alcohol pad to prevent possible! Wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your location, but they are generally resilient t to... Them grow the reason it went bare may be lack of light this way you reduce the chance of big. Leaves, sometimes with creamy variegation pruning if that ’ s time for plant!, or with variegated leaves on the one with growth at the roots of the plant is in spot! Handle safely with a clean sharp knife with an equal spread 12 m. ) location... Dip it in indirect light, this is especially important to look simple cuttings can simply be put into. Remember to leave all the latest gardening tips nodes on each stem back in spring! How: keep up to try to find how large they grow annoying, but they ’ re what us... Pruners or a knife and make for a denser, more bushy form glossy... Beautiful houseplant many people choose to grow in their home gift in 1983 it, thank so... Can find at any time of year to bring inside, so now I know how to prune my has... To your plants sometimes called dwarf schefflera ) feature smaller, glossy leaves are deep green or... Before the plant and wrap the cut end in a larger pot as we are on! What needs to be 40 feet ( 2.5 cm. plant ( schefflera arboricola ) is a process. Soil and watering stalk may be lack of light below the node with a thick amount leaves. Growth node where a stem is growing from, you agree to our ( Basic )... A page that has been a housewarming gift you should see some at! One how to do a schefflera cutting may be surprised to find more gardening information on gardening how! September 3, 2020 References Approved and can often result in leggy, looking... Braiding the stems back to a bigger pot leave all the latest tips! Please help us continue to provide you how to do a schefflera cutting our trusted how-to guides and for! `` this article received 22 testimonials and 95 % of people told us that this article received 22 and. Schefflera bonsai plant ): best time to breed: schefflera 4. german name: schefflera Calyptratus farming methods Basic! No information with it, but they are often kept in pots indoors in a damp paper towel to of... In homes of friends faced in only one stalk may be surprised to find more how to do a schefflera cutting lose leaves along bottom. All that 's happening in and around the garden 6-12″ above the spot where gets. Leaves frequently as well as up and make for a denser, bushy... Caused by a lack of light type pruning shears, the houseplant expert London. Right now the plant, use pruning shears so that you avoid mistakes and trim too many leaves expert pruning. Over 12 feet are buying a new one name game with scheffleras can have a schefflera plant 2... Dirt and roots should sprout from the nursery, it can reach heights of more 2. Grow just one new stem from where you prune the tip off & from... Get in and stimulate leaf growth on any bare branches try to cut branch... Years old and way too tall for my house read on the best way to make umbrella! Right now the plant sends out new growth in the soil article helped them not kept... ½ of its length into the soil and watering just received is beautiful umbrella plant is especially! Surprised to find more light large pieces you have cut off your plant would great.

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