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Heptapleurum arboricola

miniature umbrella tree

Araliaceae Taiwan and Hainan

Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Heptapleurum arboricola, long known as Schefflera arboricola, is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the ginseng family, reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall outdoors in frost-free climates and usually kept to 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) as a houseplant. The glossy, palmately compound leaves are divided into 7-11 oval leaflets, each 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, radiating from the leaf stalk like the ribs of an umbrella. Stems are green and pliable when young, becoming woody with age, and often produce aerial roots. Mature outdoor plants bear branched spikes of small greenish to red flowers followed by orange to dark red berries, though indoor plants rarely flower. Variegated forms with yellow or cream leaf markings are widely grown. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to pets and irritating to people if chewed. It tolerates low light, container life, and regular pruning but is damaged by frost and by cold, soggy soil.

Native Range

Native to Taiwan and Hainan Island in southern China, where it grows as an understory shrub and epiphyte in subtropical forests. It has naturalized in parts of Florida, Hawaii, and other warm regions, sometimes spreading into native woodland.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a houseplant, in interior plantings, and as a patio or container shrub in warm climates, and clipped as a hedge or screen in zones 10-11. Compact and variegated forms are also trained as bonsai.

How to Identify

Recognized by glossy, palmately compound leaves of 7-11 oval leaflets spreading like umbrella ribs from the tip of each leaf stalk. Young stems are green and flexible, and many plants carry yellow- or cream-variegated forms. The smaller leaflets and shrubbier habit separate it from the larger Heptapleurum actinophyllum, the umbrella tree.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 12'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Outdoor plants in warm climates flower in summer and fall, with branched spikes of small greenish to reddish flowers. These give way to orange to dark red berries. Indoor and container plants seldom bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish to red

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in bright, indirect light to part shade and tolerates lower light with slower, leggier growth. It needs well-drained soil kept lightly moist, at a pH of 6.0-6.5, and is grown outdoors only in zones 10-11, as frost kills the top growth. As a houseplant it suits average room temperatures above 55°F (13°C) and moderate humidity. Overwatering and cold, soggy soil cause root rot and leaf drop, while sudden light or temperature changes can also drop leaves. It is fed with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season and propagated from stem cuttings or air layering. Spider mites and scale are the main indoor pests.

Pruning

Prune in spring to control height and encourage bushier growth, as the plant resprouts readily from cut stems. Pinching the growing tips keeps indoor plants dense and compact. Remove leggy or damaged stems at any time.