The Schefflera—often called the Umbrella Tree because of those gorgeous, radiating leaves—is a real showstopper in any indoor jungle. When you find the perfect spot for it, it’s actually a pretty low-maintenance roommate. However, if things aren’t quite right with its environment or care routine, your Schefflera might start dropping leaves.
How worried should you be about leaf loss?
If your Schefflera only drops two or three leaves, there’s no need to panic just yet. Think of it as a little “check engine light”—it’s a sign to give your plant a thorough once-over and figure out what’s bothering it. If you ignore the signs, though, things can go downhill pretty quickly for your leafy friend.
Why is my Schefflera losing leaves in the first place?
Usually, it comes down to a bad location or a hiccup in your care routine. Overwatering is the most common culprit, followed closely by underwatering or a lack of nutrients. The good news? As long as the damage isn’t too severe, these are all easy fixes!
Common causes for leaf loss:
- Too much or too little water
- Lack of fertilizer
- Too much direct sun or too much shade
- Cold temperatures or drafty windows
- Diseases or pests
What can I do to stop the leaf drop?
If you want to keep your Umbrella Tree happy and full, it’s all about optimizing your care. You want to water regularly, but don’t go overboard. People often over-water because they’re afraid the plant will dry out, but Scheffleras actually need less water than you might think.
The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Generally, watering once a week in the summer does the trick. In the winter, you can usually stretch that to about every ten days. Just make sure the root ball never dries out completely.
Yellow leaves are often the first warning sign that your watering schedule is off. To keep the plant extra happy, try misting it with lukewarm water to boost the humidity. As for food, your Schefflera only needs fertilizer from spring through late summer—and even then, a light touch is better than overdoing it.
Pro Tip: Even a perfectly healthy Schefflera will shed an old leaf here and there. As long as it’s not losing a whole bunch at once, your plant is likely just doing its thing!
