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Dwarf Umbrella Tree 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 10-15 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.

The dwarf umbrella may used as an indoor potted plant. In areas where the plant is winter hardy, consider using the plant as a specimen, accent, or hedge. All parts of this plant are seriously toxic to dogs and cats. 

Quick ID HInts:

  • evergreen shrub or small tree growing 10 to 25 feet tall when grown in tropical areas
  • 3 to 6 feet tall, smaller ornamental when grown as a houseplant 
  • the leaves are evergreen, glossy, compound, palmate and arranged in a circle on the leafstalks.
  • each leaf has 7 to 9 leaflets that are obovate, oblong, to elliptic
  • tiny red flowers appear in compound panicles
  • small round orange drupes become black when mature 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Red spider mites, mealybugs and scale can be a serious problem. If the soil is too wet or too dry the leave will drop off. No serious disease problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Bonsai Garden in Davidson County
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compacta'
    smaller plant with dense clusters of glossy green leaves
  • 'Dazzle'
    variegated, with some leaves almost completely creamy white
  • 'Dwarf'
    dark green leaves, grows to height of 4 feet tall
  • 'Gold Capella'
    variegated yellow or gold and green leaves
  • 'Trinette'
    variegated cream and green leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    leaves are medium green with cream to yellow variegation
'Compacta', 'Dazzle', 'Dwarf', 'Gold Capella', 'Trinette', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#houseplant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#woody#moist soil#well-drained soil#tropical evergreen#variegated#indoor tree#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#container plant#patio#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compacta'
    smaller plant with dense clusters of glossy green leaves
  • 'Dazzle'
    variegated, with some leaves almost completely creamy white
  • 'Dwarf'
    dark green leaves, grows to height of 4 feet tall
  • 'Gold Capella'
    variegated yellow or gold and green leaves
  • 'Trinette'
    variegated cream and green leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    leaves are medium green with cream to yellow variegation
'Compacta', 'Dazzle', 'Dwarf', 'Gold Capella', 'Trinette', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#houseplant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#woody#moist soil#well-drained soil#tropical evergreen#variegated#indoor tree#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#container plant#patio#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heptapleurum
    Species:
    arboricola
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The plant has been used as a medicine and has had environmental and social uses also.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Taiwan and Hainan Province
    Distribution:
    Bermuda, Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, Nansei-shoto
    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
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Irregular
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Orange
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are round, orange drupes about 1/4 inch in diameter that become black when matured.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    The flowers bloom during the summer and are tiny red blooms that appear in compound panicles. Indoor typically do not flower.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    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 Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Hedge
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • 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:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice