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Heptapleurum arboricola

Previously known as:

  • Schefflera arboricola
Phonetic Spelling
hep-tuh-PLUR-rum ar-bor-eh-KOL-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Although the dwarf umbrella tree may grow 10-25 feet tall when planted outside in South Florida, this tropical plant can be grown indoors and will only get from 4 to 6 feet high and wide in a container. It should be placed in a southern, western, or eastern exposure with filtered light (eg. sheer curtain) for 3 to 4 hours daily. While it can tolerate some full sun outdoors, as a houseplant, bright, direct light will burn the leaves. Allow the soil to dry out and then thoroughly soak with water. Misting the foliage to provide extra humidity is recommended, using a well-drained potting mix with extra peat moss and placing the container on a tray of wet pebbles.

The dwarf umbrella tree will rarely produce flowers when grown indoors but can safely be put outside in a sheltered location when temperatures will not dip below 60 degrees.

Red spider mites, mealybugs, and scale can be a serious problem.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compacta'
  • Dazzle
    variegated, with some leaves almost completely creamy white
  • 'Gold Capella'
    variegated yellow or gold and green leaves
  • 'Green Gold'
  • Trinette
    variegated cream and green leaves
'Compacta', Dazzle, 'Gold Capella', 'Green Gold', Trinette
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#woody#moist soil#well-drained soil#tropical evergreen#variegated#indoor tree#partial shade tolerant#container plant#patio#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compacta'
  • Dazzle
    variegated, with some leaves almost completely creamy white
  • 'Gold Capella'
    variegated yellow or gold and green leaves
  • 'Green Gold'
  • Trinette
    variegated cream and green leaves
'Compacta', Dazzle, 'Gold Capella', 'Green Gold', Trinette
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#woody#moist soil#well-drained soil#tropical evergreen#variegated#indoor tree#partial shade tolerant#container plant#patio#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heptapleurum
    Species:
    arboricola
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Taiwan, South China, Australia
    Distribution:
    South Florida
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Orange
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    orange drupes (to 1/4") that are black when mature
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    clusters of 7 to 9 individual leaflets, arranged in a circle like spokes of an umbrella.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    It is harmful to cats and dogs if leaves are chewed, intense mouth and throat irritation result in excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Use gloves to prevent skin irritation from sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice