Garden Care Guide

Umbrella Tree Care

Schefflera spp.

A popular foliage houseplant that likes bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. Regular pruning is important for a full, branching shape; overwatering leads to leaf drop and root rot.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Water when the top 5-7 cm of soil is completely dry (about every 3-4 weeks).
  • Plant protection: In dry indoor air, check the undersides of the leaves regularly for spider mites.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth and keep the plant away from heat sources.
  • Pests & diseases: Sudden leaf drop is usually a sign of cold drafts or overwatering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
  • Watering: Increase the watering frequency slightly (every 2-3 weeks).
  • Fertilizing: Toward the end of the month, you can begin a highly diluted (1/4 strength) balanced liquid fertilizer. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Prepare for pruning and repotting.
  • Plant protection: Check the stem and the leaf junctions for mealybugs and scale insects (brown bumps).
  • General care: Check the plant's overall condition.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
  • Watering: Increase the frequency; water when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried (every 10-14 days).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
  • General care: It is the best time for repotting. You can propagate by taking cuttings from the branches you cut.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: Pruning can continue.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Growth continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of disease.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, diluted according to label directions; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: You can prune unwanted extensions or weak branches.
  • Plant protection: Spider mites are its worst enemy. Check the undersides of the leaves often and mist with water to raise humidity.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Sticky leaves and black mold (sooty mold) are generally a sign of sap-sucking insects.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Pruning can continue.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: In summer it can be moved out onto a sheltered balcony or garden (protect it from direct sun).
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for pests.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Pruning can continue.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for pests.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Pruning can continue.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Requires maintenance.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for pests.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Reduce fertilizing to once a month and halve the dose; do not overdo it.
  • Pruning: Not necessary; only cosmetic corrections.
  • Plant protection: If plants are outdoors, check them thoroughly for pests before bringing them indoors.
  • General care: Acclimatize the plant to the bright, warm spot where it will rest through winter.
  • Frost risk: When night temperatures begin to fall, keep the plant away from open windows.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely.
  • General care: Remove the dust from the leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering. The risk of root rot increases during this period.
  • Frost risk: Protect it from cold drafts.
November
  • Watering: This is the minimum watering period. Let the soil dry out deeply (once every 3-4 weeks or less often).
  • Plant protection: In dry indoor air, watch out for spider mites.
  • General care: Keep it in a bright place away from radiators and cold drafts.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf drop can be a sign of cold, overwatering or low light.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
  • Watering: Continue watering, every 3-4 weeks.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for pests.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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