The Schefflera, also known as the Umbrella Tree, is a majestic tree in its native tropical habitat. Even in your living room, this plant can easily reach heights of over six feet! If things start getting a little too crowded, don’t worry—the Schefflera handles a haircut quite well.
Does my Schefflera need regular pruning?
While the Schefflera is very tolerant of pruning, it’s not a plant that *requires* a regular trim to survive. However, if you leave it to its own devices without any pruning, it tends to grow straight up with very little branching. This can make the plant look a bit sparse or “leggy” over time. Plus, it can become top-heavy and lose its stability, potentially even tipping over.
Why should I trim my Schefflera?
These plants are relatively fast growers, adding up to 12 inches of new height every year. Before you know it, you’ve got a six-foot-tall houseplant on your hands! Trimming it back keeps the plant at a manageable size and encourages it to grow fuller and bushier with plenty of side branches. You can even train a Schefflera into a bonsai if you’re feeling creative.
Great reasons to prune:
- Diseased or frost-damaged shoots
- Heavy pest infestation
- The plant is getting too tall
- Not enough branching
- Sparse or leggy growth
How do I prune my Schefflera correctly?
Since the Schefflera is so resilient, you can be quite bold with your cuts. If you want to slow down its growth a bit, the best time to prune is in the fall. You can cut the plant back to about 12 inches if necessary. Also, when it’s time for repotting, you can give the roots a light trim as well to keep everything in balance.
When is the best time to prune?
It’s pretty rare for a Schefflera to bloom indoors, but if it does, it puts all its energy into that flower. Avoid pruning during this time. If you have frost-damaged stems, wait until spring to cut them back. Spring is also the perfect time to prune if you want to encourage the plant to branch out. However, if you spot diseased shoots, you should remove them immediately, no matter the season.
Pro Tip: If you trim your Schefflera in the spring, don’t let those cuttings go to waste! You can use them for propagation to grow brand-new baby plants.
