Heptapleurum arboricola
Common Name(s):
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 10-15 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 it with water. This plant likes high humidity and a well-drained potting medium rich in organic matter. The humidity around the plant can be raised by placing the container on a tray of wet pebbles (the water line should be below the surface of the pebbles so that the pot is not sitting directly in water).
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'
- 'Compacta', 'Dazzle', 'Gold Capella', 'Green Gold', 'Trinette'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Compacta', 'Dazzle', 'Gold Capella', 'Green Gold', 'Trinette'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heptapleurum
- Species:
- arboricola
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Taiwan, Hainan
- Distribution:
- South Florida
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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-
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
-
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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:
- Leaves are comprised of 7 to 9 individual leaflets, arranged in a circle like spokes of an umbrella. Leaflets are 2-4.5 inches long in terminal rosettes. They are obovate, entire, obtuse, stalked, and bright green and glossy.
-
-
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 results in excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Sap can be irritating to people with sensitive skin. Use gloves as a precaution.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice