Octopus Tree Heptapleurum arboricola
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Octopus Tree:
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'
- '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, 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
- Tree
- 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
