How to Care for a Dwarf Umbrella Plant
The dwarf umbrella tree is also called Schefflera arboricola, the parasol plant and the octopus tree. It gets its name from the vertical stems that have five to nine leaves growing from the top in the shape of an umbrella. A native of Taiwan, the dwarf umbrella tree is grown in the U.S. as an indoor potted plant. It is a hardy specimen that does not have special needs, other than adequate water and temperature control. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle
- Liquid plant fertilizer
- Hand pruners
Instructions
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Place the dwarf umbrella in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight, such as two to three feet away from a window. Do not allow sunlight to fall directly on the leaves, since this will burn them and cause them to die.
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Place a thermometer in the same location as the dwarf umbrella to ensure that it maintains a temperature between 60 and 85 degrees.
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Water the soil in the pot with warm -- not hot -- water once or twice a week until it is saturated. Allow the top of the soil to dry to the touch before adding more water.
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Pour 2 to 3 cups of distilled water into a bowl. Heat it up in a microwave until it is warm to the touch. Pour the water into a spray bottle. Mist the leaves of the plant every two days to increase the humidity level.
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Apply a liquid plant fertilizer once a week during the growing season, using the amounts specified on the fertilizer label. Stop fertilizing in October when the plant goes dormant for winter. Resume fertilizing in February.
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Prune the plant as needed to remove any branches that have started drooping to the side. Cut the stems off near the base of the plant with hand pruners. Remove other branches to shape the plant as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Although dwarf umbrella plant is not toxic, some people experience rashes when they touch its sap.
