How to Take Cuttings From a Schefflera Plant

Some houseplants, like the spider plant, provide their own offshoots that are easily removed and replanted. The schefflera, sometimes called an umbrella tree because of the leaves' resemblance to an umbrella, is a popular, easy-to-care-for herbaceous houseplant. With a little guidance and care, you can make cuttings from your schefflera and have all the plants you could possibly want.

Things You'll Need

• Knife or pruning shears
• Rooting material
• Small plastic bag
• 6- to 8-inch plastic pot

Instructions

1. Clean and dry your pot. Fill it with moist, but drained rooting material such as vermiculite, peat moss or sand.

2. Take a 1-inch cutting from a dwarf schefflera that is below the leaf and taken from below the two uppermost fully developed leaves, but above the lower oldest leaves. Make the cut just beneath a node, the place where the leaf is attached. Use a clean sharp knife or pruning shears.

3. Remove 1/2 to 2/3 of the leaves, all the buds, flowers and fruit, starting from the bottom. If there are large leaves, cut them in half.

4. Using a pencil, make a hole in the rooting mix and insert the cutting into the hole.

5. Press the rooting mix around the base of the cutting to secure it. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to collect additional cuttings.

6. Cover the pot with a plastic bag and place it in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves. If the bag risks touching the leaves, insert toothpicks or other support devices to keep the bag from falling in on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Mary Welch-Keesey and B. Rosie Lerner from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension advise that clippings can be taken from plants anytime they are actively growing. If you have a plant that stops growing in winter, for example, wait until it recommences growth before taking a cutting.

References

• University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
• Purdue University Consumer Horticulture