Scheffleras, or umbrella plants, are a great choice for bringing bold tropical green foliage indoors. These hardy plants can be a little neglected, but it’s not uncommon for their leaves to drop in response to stress. Let’s see why your umbrella plant is losing its leaves and how to get it back on track.
An umbrella plant that is dropping leaves is usually a sign of stress from improper care. Over or under watering, low light, temperature extremes, repotting, pests, disease, under or over feeding, low humidity or a new location can cause leaf drop. Old leaves also fall off on their own.
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Overview: Umbrella Plants (Schefflera arboricola) and Leaf Loss
arboreal schefflera, or dwarf umbrella plant, is a warm weather shrub that has become popular as a hardy evergreen houseplant. This fast growing tropical plant can grow to the ceiling, but can also be pruned to keep it compact. you like it bright indirect light and moist soil, but tolerates a variety of conditions.
Arboricola is an even faster growing dwarf version of Actinophylla. In addition to the standard all-green varieties, there are varieties with white or golden fur.
It’s normal for the umbrella plant to occasionally drop leaves, but active shedding usually indicates poor growing conditions or care errors. Correcting these factors usually stops leaf loss; the plant can rapidly develop new foliage if properly cared for.
The lower leaves are usually the most affected. Keep in mind that dead leaves don’t normally regrow in the same place and can give the plant an “umbrella” look prematurely. If you want a bushy style, address early leaf loss.
minor issues
Schefflera prefers bright indirect lighting. Not only can they drop leaves in low light conditions, but the growth will become long and spindly. If your variegated specimen loses its color and becomes uniformly green, it’s a sign that it needs more light.
Indoors, bright natural light is sufficient if you protect the plant from strong direct sunlight. Morning or late afternoon sun is usually good. If you see burning leaves, move the plant a few feet away from the window or increase the protection. The plant grows well outdoors in afternoon shade.
A Schefflera can tolerate low light, but remains alert. The plant may struggle with insufficient lighting for a while before it suddenly begins to rain leaves. If you don’t see healthy new growth, consider increasing your light to avoid potential problems.
Water problems are the most common cause of leaf loss
Overwatering or underwatering can stress the plant enough to cause leaf drop, but care should be taken to properly diagnose the problem. Scheffleras prefer a moist environment, but they are much more tolerant of drought than soggy soil.
The general rule is to water your Schefflera when the top centimeter of soil dries out. Water thoroughly, letting the excess run into the holes to flush out the soil.
a sign of give too much water the problem is that the leaves turn black before they fall. If this happens, remove the plant from its pot and inspect the soil for soft, smelly roots. Root rot is deadly and the upper parts of the plant may show no symptoms until it is too late.
Water less during the cold season. The plant should receive only enough water to avoid dehydration. Also make sure the water is at room temperature: its roots can be frightened by cold water.
While a Schefflera is more tolerant of dry soil than a soggy pot, it is not a cactus. Underwater can also stress the plant. Also remember that completely dry soil does not absorb water so easily. Always soak the plant thoroughly after prolonged drought. Stick a wooden stick or similar into the ground to check that the entire substrate has been moistened.
Learn more about How do you know when houseplants need water? Yes How often should houseplants be watered? For more information.
heavy ground
Compact soil is an indirect cause of stress and contributes to leaf loss. The ideal medium is one that drains well and has enough aeration to keep oxygen around the roots, even right after watering.
A quality potting soil is generally acceptable, but consider combining it with cactus soil or improving aeration with perlite or coarse sand.
Two factors can affect the underside of your Schefflera over time:
- Peat retains moisture, but eventually breaks down into smaller particles which can make the soil too dense. Bark, compost and other organic materials do the same.
- Salts and other toxins from fertilizers and highly mineralized tap water can build up in the soil and affect the roots, especially if drainage is inadequate. Avoid partial irrigation; always allow water to drain freely from the pot to remove any buildup. Water the soil thoroughly every one to two months during the growing season to keep it clean and fresh.
Read my guide to making and choosing soil for your houseplants to learn more.
cold temperatures
Scheffleras are tropical plants native to climates that rarely drop below 50ºF (10ºC). Cold stress can cause their leaves to drop. All-green varieties generally have slightly better cold tolerance than variegated cultivars.
Otherwise, umbrella plants benefit from a wide range of indoor temperatures, thriving between 60 (16) and 80 ºF (27C). Take care to protect them from low temperatures if they are kept near a window. The plant can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA zones 9b-12.
Checkers
Like most houseplants, Schefflera are averse to drafts. A hot or cold draft can cause leaf loss. If your plant is in the way of a draft, shield it or move the pot.
fertilization errors
Umbrella plants are not big feeders. Over-fertilizing can shock your system and cause leaves to drop. If you suspect you have overfed, mop the floor to remove the excess food.
You may also see leaf loss if the plant is severely malnourished. However, a malnourished specimen should show different symptoms: the new foliage will likely be sparse, pale and/or too small.
If the plant is healthy, Schefflera will respond to light feeds throughout the growing season. A semi-diluted dose of a balanced fertilizer once a month will help stimulate their growth. Stop feeding in late fall and winter.
Acclimatization
Changing Schefflera’s environment often results in temporary leaf loss. This often happens with new purchases or when introducing a summer plant.
To minimize the problem, try to match the light your Schefflera received before the move. A specimen arriving for the winter should be placed in the brightest spot available. With proper care, the plant recovers quickly… and the new leaves will adapt to the new location.
Humidity
Scheffleras are quite tolerant of dry air in our homes. Low humidity is not optimal, but it is more of a stressor contributing to leaf loss than the primary cause.
However, your plant won’t complain if you increase the humidity and you can increase its resistance. Humidifiers work well, but you can improve humidity levels slightly by placing waterers near the plant. Placing a saucer full of water filled with pebbles under a pot is a common solution.
Grouping with other plants will also slightly increase the humidity. Some growers spray their plants, but this is not an effective way to increase humidity. Learn more about how to effectively increase the humidity of your houseplants in this article.
Transplant Stress Can Cause Your Umbrella Plant to Lose Leaves
Scheffleras are likely to lose at least a few leaves after replant It’s a bit traumatic for them (much more than pruning). The plant doesn’t mind a little rooting and usually only needs repotting every two to three years.
Conversely, heavily rooted Scheffleras may drop leaves if the pot is too small; a narrow root system supports only a limited amount of foliage. Scheffleras can do well in a relatively small container… just make sure it is heavy enough to compensate for their heavy canopy on top.
Other transplant tips:
- If you need to water more than twice a week, it’s time to repot.
- Do not fertilize for several weeks after transplanting to avoid burning fresh, tender roots. Fresh soil is usually sufficiently nutritious.
- Schefflera roots may emerge from the soil as they grow…do not add new soil. This can choke the plant.
- Repot early in the growing season so the plant has time to recover.
- It’s tempting to repot a plant you’ve just brought in, but it’s best to let it acclimate to its new location first.
annoy
We’re not the only ones who love the foliage of an umbrella plant. The plant has some resistance to pests, but an infestation can weaken it and cause the leaves of the umbrella plant to drop.
Typical sap-sucking insects can be a problem, but the most common invaders are mites. They like dry conditions and can quickly colonize a distressed Schefflera.
Leaf cleaning is a good proactive measure. Pay special attention to the bottom where pests like to hang out. If you see an infestation, repeated treatments with horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps can control it. Learn more about how to recognize, treat and prevent common indoor plant pests here.
Fungal problems and leaf scorch can cause leaf problems – misting can actually help the environment in which they thrive. Prune infected leaves for safe disposal.
Leaf fall may be normal
An umbrella plant with droopy leaves can be perfectly healthy, as the old foliage will fall off on its own as the plant grows. Usually the tips and edges fade until the entire leaf turns yellow. You can slow the progression with optimal care, but occasional loss in old age is inevitable.