Schefflera, commonly known as umbrella plants, belongs to the Araliaceae family, which includes other ornamentals like ivy and ginseng. The genus, named after 18th-century German botanist Johann Peter Ernst von Scheffler, comprises over 600 species of evergreen shrubs, trees, and vines. Other common names include Australian ivy palm and starleaf, reflecting the star-like arrangement of their leaves that resemble an umbrella’s spokes, making them a favorite in indoor and outdoor settings.
Schefflera plants were first documented by European botanists in the 18th century during explorations of tropical regions, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Indigenous communities in these areas used some species for medicinal or structural purposes, such as crafting. Their rise as houseplants began in the 20th century, especially during the 1970s houseplant boom, due to their attractive foliage and adaptability to indoor conditions, cementing their place in homes and offices worldwide.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions, Schefflera plants are primarily found in Australia, New Guinea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Pacific Islands. They thrive in diverse habitats, from rainforests to coastal areas, often growing as epiphytes or understory shrubs in humid, shaded environments. This adaptability to varied light and moisture conditions makes them well-suited for cultivation as houseplants in a wide range of climates.
Schefflera plants are characterized by their glossy, palmate leaves, typically arranged in clusters of 5–16 leaflets radiating from a central point, resembling an umbrella. Leaves vary in size but are often broad, shiny, and evergreen, with a leathery texture. They can grow as shrubs or small trees, reaching 3–12 feet indoors, with slender stems and occasional aerial roots in some species. While they rarely bloom indoors, they may produce small, clustered flowers in the wild.
Schefflera plants are primarily grown as ornamental houseplants, valued for their lush, tropical foliage that adds greenery to homes, offices, and public spaces. They are air-purifying, removing toxins like benzene, and their versatility allows them to be used in pots, as floor plants, or even shaped into bonsai. In warmer climates, they’re planted in gardens or as hedges. Their low-maintenance care and attractive leaves make them popular for decorative displays or as gifts.
Schefflera (Umbrella Plants)
Amate Schefflera
The Amate Schefflera is a robust cultivar with large, glossy, dark green leaves arranged in wide, umbrella-like clusters. Growing 6–10 feet indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, needing water when the top inch is dry. Its bold, tropical appearance and resistance to pests like spider mites make it a popular choice for homes or offices.
Gold Capella Schefflera
The Gold Capella Schefflera features vibrant green leaves with golden-yellow variegation, creating a bright, cheerful look. Growing 4–8 feet indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain variegation and moderate humidity. Its striking, variegated foliage adds a splash of color to indoor spaces, ideal for decorative pots or as a focal point.
Alpine Schefflera
The Alpine Schefflera is a compact cultivar with smaller, glossy green leaves, reaching 3–5 feet indoors. It’s more cold-tolerant than other Scheffleras, thriving in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Its manageable size and dense foliage make it perfect for tabletops or small apartments.
Compacta Schefflera
The Compacta Schefflera has dense, dark green, glossy leaves in tight clusters, growing to 3–6 feet indoors. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and prefers slightly moist, well-draining soil. Its bushy, compact form is ideal for small spaces, adding lush greenery to shelves or corners.
Trinette Schefflera
The Trinette Schefflera is a variegated cultivar with green leaves splashed with creamy white and yellow, offering a soft, tropical aesthetic. Growing 4–6 feet indoors, it needs bright, indirect light to preserve variegation and moderate watering. Its colorful foliage brightens up indoor settings, perfect for modern decor.
Hawaiian Schefflera
The Hawaiian Schefflera, also called Schefflera ‘Hawaiian Umbrella,’ has small, glossy green leaves in dense, umbrella-like clusters, growing 3–5 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity, with well-draining soil. Its compact, lush appearance suits terrariums or small spaces, evoking a tropical vibe.
Moondrop Schefflera
The Moondrop Schefflera features green leaves with subtle cream or white variegation, resembling soft moonlight. Growing 4–6 feet indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, with moderate watering. Its delicate, variegated foliage adds an elegant, understated charm to indoor collections.
Arboricola Schefflera
The Arboricola Schefflera, often called the dwarf umbrella plant, has smaller, glossy green leaves and a bushy growth habit, reaching 3–6 feet indoors. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and tolerates lower humidity than larger species. Its versatility and compact size make it a staple for indoor gardening.
Variegated Arboricola Schefflera
The Variegated Arboricola Schefflera boasts green leaves with creamy yellow or white variegation, adding a vibrant contrast. Growing 3–5 feet indoors, it needs bright, indirect light to maintain its coloration and well-draining soil. Its bright, patterned foliage is perfect for adding visual interest to shelves or desks.
Actinophylla Schefflera
The Actinophylla Schefflera, or Australian umbrella tree, features large, glossy green leaves with up to 16 leaflets per cluster, growing 6–12 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil, preferring higher humidity. Its bold, towering presence suits spacious rooms or offices.
Nora Schefflera
The Nora Schefflera, a cultivar of Arboricola, has glossy, dark green leaves in dense clusters, growing 3–6 feet indoors. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and tolerates moderate watering, with well-draining soil. Its lush, uniform foliage makes it a reliable, low-maintenance houseplant for various settings.
Green Gold Schefflera
The Green Gold Schefflera features glossy green leaves with golden-yellow variegation, creating a striking, tropical look. Growing 4–7 feet indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil with regular watering. Its vibrant, two-toned foliage adds a bold accent to modern interiors.
Mini Arboricola Schefflera
The Mini Arboricola Schefflera is a petite cultivar with small, glossy green leaves, growing to 2–4 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity, with moist, well-draining soil. Its compact size and lush foliage make it ideal for tabletops, terrariums, or small apartments.
Renegade Schefflera
The Renegade Schefflera, a cultivar of Arboricola, has dark green, glossy leaves with a slightly wavy edge, growing 3–5 feet indoors. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and well-draining soil, tolerating moderate humidity. Its unique leaf texture adds a subtle, distinctive charm to indoor spaces.
Goldfinger Schefflera
The Goldfinger Schefflera is a variegated Arboricola cultivar with green leaves splashed with bright yellow, giving a radiant, sunny appearance. Growing 3–6 feet indoors, it needs bright, indirect light to maintain variegation and regular watering. Its cheerful, colorful foliage brightens up any room or office.
Schefflera Elegantissima
The Schefflera Elegantissima, also known as False Aralia, features slender, serrated, dark green to bronze leaves with a feathery texture, growing 4–8 feet indoors. It prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity, with well-draining soil. Its delicate, fern-like foliage adds an elegant, airy vibe to interiors.
Dazzle Schefflera
The Dazzle Schefflera, a cultivar of Arboricola, features glossy green leaves with vibrant cream and yellow variegation, creating a dazzling, multicolored effect. Growing 3–5 feet indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light to maintain its variegation and prefers moist, well-draining soil with moderate humidity. Its bright, lively foliage makes it a striking accent for modern interiors or office spaces.
Melanie Schefflera
The Melanie Schefflera, an Arboricola cultivar, has small, glossy green leaves with subtle cream variegation, forming a dense, bushy plant reaching 2–4 feet indoors. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and tolerates lower humidity, needing consistent moisture in well-draining soil. Its compact, variegated form is perfect for tabletops or small decorative displays.
Janine Schefflera
The Janine Schefflera, another Arboricola cultivar, boasts small, dark green leaves with creamy white variegation, giving a soft, mottled appearance. Growing 3–5 feet indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, with regular watering to keep soil slightly moist. Its delicate, patterned foliage adds elegance to shelves or mixed plant arrangements.
Schefflera Louisiana
The Schefflera Louisiana, a robust Arboricola cultivar, features large, glossy dark green leaves in dense clusters, growing 4–6 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and moderate humidity, with well-draining soil and moderate watering. Its lush, uniform foliage makes it a bold, low-maintenance choice for larger indoor spaces or offices.
Schefflera Gold Dust
The Schefflera Gold Dust is an Arboricola cultivar with dark green leaves speckled with fine golden-yellow variegation, resembling a dusting of gold. Growing 3–5 feet indoors, it needs bright, indirect light to maintain its unique pattern and well-draining soil with regular watering. Its subtle, sparkling foliage adds a luxurious touch to indoor decor.
Schefflera Moonlight
The Schefflera Moonlight, a cultivar of Actinophylla, has large, glossy green leaves with a slightly silvery sheen, growing 6–10 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers high humidity with moist, well-draining soil. Its luminous, expansive foliage creates a dramatic, tropical vibe in spacious rooms or conservatories.
Schefflera Amate Mini
The Schefflera Amate Mini is a compact version of the Amate Schefflera, with smaller, glossy dark green leaves in tight, umbrella-like clusters, reaching 2–4 feet indoors. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, needing moderate watering. Its petite, lush form is ideal for small spaces or as a tabletop accent.
Schefflera Nova
The Schefflera Nova, an Actinophylla cultivar, features large, glossy green leaves with slightly serrated edges, growing 5–8 feet indoors. It prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Its bold, slightly textured foliage adds a unique, tropical flair to larger indoor settings or patios.