Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
Umbrella Plant
Schefflera arboricola · Araliaceae
Easy
Toxic to pets
Low-light tolerant
Schefflera arboricola is a tropical woody shrub native to Taiwan and Hainan, where it grows as an epiphyte or terrestrial plant in forest margins. It is widely cultivated as a houseplant for its attractive, palmate compound leaves, each composed of seven to nine glossy leaflets arranged in a spoke-like pattern. In its natural habitat it can reach 4 metres or more, but as a container plant it is typically kept between 1 and 2 metres through pruning.
☀ Light
Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light
💧 Water
Allow top third of soil to dry between waterings
🌡 Temp
15 to 25 C
💦 Humidity
Moderate to high, 50% or above preferred
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, loam-based or peat-free multipurpose mix
🍽 Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks in spring and summer
Photo: Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Umbrella Plant
Light
Schefflera arboricola performs best in bright, indirect light, such as a spot a metre or two back from a south- or east-facing window. It will tolerate lower light levels, but growth will slow considerably and variegated cultivars may lose their colouration. Direct summer sun through glass can scorch the leaves, so use a sheer curtain as a filter if the plant is very close to a south-facing window.
Watering
Allow the top third of the compost to dry out before watering thoroughly, ensuring excess drains freely from the pot. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline; soggy compost leads to root rot. Reduce watering frequency in autumn and winter when growth slows, but do not allow the rootball to dry out completely. Always use room-temperature water, and avoid leaving the pot sitting in a filled saucer.
Soil and potting
A well-draining, moderately fertile mix is ideal. A loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 2 blended with approximately 20 to 30 percent perlite or coarse grit works well. Peat-free multipurpose compost with added perlite is a suitable alternative. Good drainage is the priority; heavy, compacted compost that retains moisture invites root rot.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser at half the recommended strength every four weeks from April to September. No feeding is necessary during autumn and winter when the plant is not actively growing. Over-feeding can lead to salt build-up in the soil and tip burn on the leaves; if this occurs, flush the compost thoroughly with plain water.
Humidity and temperature
Schefflera arboricola prefers temperatures between 15 and 25 C and will suffer if exposed to temperatures below 12 C. It benefits from moderate to high humidity (50 percent or above). Mist the foliage regularly, place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, or use a room humidifier. Keep the plant away from cold draughts, open windows in winter, and direct heat sources such as radiators, which dry the air and can cause leaf drop.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years in spring when roots begin to circle the base of the pot or emerge from the drainage holes. Move up one pot size at a time, typically 2 to 3 cm larger in diameter. Use fresh, well-draining compost and firm it gently around the rootball. Avoid repotting into an excessively large pot, as surplus compost holds moisture and increases the risk of root rot.
Pruning
Pruning can be carried out in spring or early summer to control size and encourage a bushier habit. Cut stems back to just above a leaf node using clean, sharp secateurs. The plant tolerates hard pruning well and will produce new growth from lower on the stem. Remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing growth at any time of year. Wear gloves when pruning, as the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Is Umbrella Plant toxic?
Pets: Toxic. Schefflera arboricola is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and other compounds that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if any part of the plant is ingested.
People: The sap may cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Ingestion of plant material can cause mild gastrointestinal upset; keep out of reach of young children.
People: The sap may cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Ingestion of plant material can cause mild gastrointestinal upset; keep out of reach of young children.
Common problems
Yellowing leaves, particularly lower leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged compost leading to root stress or early root rot Fix: Allow the compost to dry out more between waterings, check drainage holes are clear, and inspect roots for rot. Remove any blackened, mushy roots and repot into fresh, well-draining compost if root rot is present.
Leaf drop, often sudden
Likely cause: Cold draughts, sudden temperature change, overwatering, or underwatering Fix: Move the plant to a stable, warm location away from cold draughts and heat sources. Review the watering routine and ensure the plant is not sitting in cold water. Some leaf drop after moving the plant is normal.
Pale, washed-out, or bleached leaves
Likely cause: Too much direct sunlight causing scorch Fix: Move the plant away from direct sun or filter light with a sheer curtain. Remove severely damaged leaves and allow the plant to adjust to its new position.
Leggy, sparse growth with large gaps between leaves
Likely cause: Insufficient light causing etiolation Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with good indirect light. Prune leggy stems back to encourage branching and a more compact habit.
Sticky residue on leaves or visible insects on stems and leaf undersides
Likely cause: Infestation by scale insects, mealybugs, or spider mites, which are more common in warm, dry conditions Fix: Wipe affected areas with a damp cloth or cotton wool soaked in diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap solution. For heavy infestations, repeat treatment weekly. Improving humidity helps deter spider mites.
Brown leaf tips or margins
Likely cause: Low humidity, dry air from central heating, over-feeding, or fluoride sensitivity Fix: Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or a humidifier. Flush the compost with plain water to reduce salt or fertiliser build-up. Use filtered or rainwater if tap water is heavily treated.
How to propagate
Stem tip cuttings
Take a 10 to 15 cm cutting from a healthy stem tip in spring or early summer, removing lower leaves to leave two or three at the tip. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder, insert into a small pot of moist perlite or a 50:50 mix of peat-free compost and perlite, and place in a warm spot (around 20 to 22 C) with high humidity. Rooting typically occurs within four to eight weeks.
Air layering
Select a healthy stem and make a shallow upward cut partway through it at the desired point, dust with rooting hormone, and pack moist sphagnum moss around the wound before wrapping securely in clear polythene. Once roots are visible through the moss after several weeks, cut below the rooted section and pot it up independently.
Where Umbrella Plant comes from
Native to Taiwan, Hainan (southern China).
Story and origins
The genus name Schefflera honours Johann Peter Ernst von Scheffler, an 18th-century Polish botanist and physician based in Danzig (now Gdansk). The species epithet arboricola is derived from the Latin words arbor, meaning tree, and cola, meaning dweller or inhabitant, referring to the plant's habit of growing on or among trees as an epiphyte in its native habitat.
Schefflera arboricola was first described botanically by the German botanist Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler in 1900, based on specimens collected in Taiwan and the Hainan region of southern China. It was introduced to Western horticulture during the 20th century and rose to prominence as a houseplant from the 1970s onwards, valued for its tolerance of indoor conditions and its decorative, glossy foliage. In some East Asian cultures, the plant is associated with good fortune and positive energy, and is a common gift plant in feng shui practice, sometimes referred to alongside money trees and other auspicious houseplants.
Varieties to know
Schefflera arboricola 'Gold Capella'
A popular variegated cultivar with leaflets splashed and streaked in bright yellow and green.
Schefflera arboricola 'Janine'
Compact cultivar with heavily variegated foliage showing creamy white and green patterning.
Schefflera arboricola 'Trinette'
Widely grown variegated form with irregular cream and pale yellow markings on dark green leaflets.
Schefflera arboricola 'Nora'
Noted for particularly dense, bushy growth and attractively dark green, glossy foliage.
Fun facts
- In its native Taiwan, Schefflera arboricola commonly grows as an epiphyte, establishing itself on the trunks and branches of larger trees rather than in the ground.
- Schefflera arboricola is frequently trained as a bonsai specimen, particularly in Asian horticultural traditions, as its woody stems and aerial roots respond well to the technique.
- The species is often confused with the closely related Schefflera actinophylla (the full-sized Umbrella Tree), which is a much larger plant and a separate species originating in Australia and New Guinea.
- When grown outdoors in warm climates such as Florida and Hawaii, Schefflera arboricola has become naturalised and is considered an invasive species in some regions.
- The plant can develop visible aerial roots along its stems, especially in high humidity, which it uses in nature to anchor itself to host trees.
Umbrella Plant FAQ
Why are the leaves on my Schefflera arboricola turning yellow and falling off?
The most common cause is overwatering or waterlogged compost. Allow the top third of the soil to dry before watering and ensure the pot has adequate drainage. Cold draughts, a sudden change in location, or very low light can also trigger leaf drop.
How much light does a Schefflera arboricola need indoors?
It thrives in bright, indirect light but will tolerate moderate light. Avoid prolonged direct sun through glass in summer, which can scorch the leaves. Variegated forms need more light than plain green ones to maintain their colouration.
Is Schefflera arboricola the same as the large Umbrella Tree sold in garden centres?
No. Schefflera arboricola is a distinct, smaller species commonly called the Dwarf Umbrella Tree. The larger plant is Schefflera actinophylla, which originates in Australia and can grow very large indoors. The two are often confused but are separate species.
Can I put my Schefflera arboricola outside in summer?
Yes, once temperatures are consistently above 15 C and there is no risk of frost. Place it in a sheltered spot with bright but indirect light outdoors, as direct midday sun may scorch the foliage. Bring it back indoors before temperatures drop in early autumn.
How do I make my Schefflera arboricola bushier?
Prune the stem tips back to just above a leaf node in spring or early summer. This removes the apical dominance and encourages the plant to push out new lateral shoots, resulting in a fuller, more compact shape. Ensure the plant receives adequate light, as low light leads to leggy growth regardless of pruning.
Is Schefflera arboricola safe to have around cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA classifies Schefflera arboricola as toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It should be kept out of reach of pets, or an alternative non-toxic houseplant should be chosen if pets habitually chew plants.
How often should I repot my Schefflera arboricola?
Repot every two to three years in spring, or sooner if the roots are clearly pot-bound (circling the base or growing through drainage holes). Move up one pot size at a time and use fresh, well-draining compost. Avoid over-potting into a much larger container, as excess compost can hold moisture and encourage root rot.
