Umbrella Plants

Compare the selected pot size and plant shape as well as the variety. Dwarf types have smaller leaflets; Australian types make a larger-leaved feature. Moondrop offers cream variegation, while Ivory has broader, rounder leaflets with creamy markings. A small plant can begin on a stand or table, but pruning and room to grow may be needed as it matures.

Choose bright, filtered light for a fuller plant rather than a dim corner. Position it near a window and protect it from intense afternoon sun, especially when moving it from a shadier spot. Lower light can produce sparser growth, so check the light available before choosing a plant for a hallway or distant corner.

For plants in potting mix, let the mix dry partly between thorough waterings and allow excess water to drain. Check moisture rather than following a fixed weekly schedule. Umbrella on Lava is different: its porous rock draws water from the supplied tray, which needs topping up as the level falls. Do not apply a soil-drying routine to that rock-and-tray display.

No: the tropical Schefflera umbrella trees sold here are not winter-hardy Canadian garden trees. They can spend warm summer weather in a sheltered position after gradual adjustment, but need a suitable indoor home before cool nights. Plan that indoor space before choosing a large specimen.

Other garden plants also use the name umbrella plant, so check the botanical name when comparing outdoor options. Follow our summer outdoor transition guide for moving houseplants outside, and protect them from cold drafts indoors too.

No. Schefflera umbrella plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth when chewed and are toxic to cats and dogs. Place them where pets cannot reach the leaves, or choose from our pet-friendly plant collection if you need an alternative.