When and How to Prune Umbrella Plants (Schefflera)

When and How to Prune Umbrella Plants (Schefflera)

I adore my umbrella plant, the groupings of umbrella-like leaves always catch my eye as I walk through my house.

Part of what I love about them, beyond the fabulous foliage, is that they need little maintenance.

Schefflera species have been reclassified into the Heptapleurum genus, but most of us still refer to them as “schefflera,” and you’ll commonly find them listed this way at plant nurseries and garden centers.

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If you want to learn more about how to care for umbrella trees, check out our guide.

In this guide, we’re going to cover when and how to prune your scheff – sorry, Heptapleurum plants!

It’s not difficult, a little bit of trimming now and then to provide the shape you want and to remove any damaged branches, and you can basically sit back and enjoy them.

Still, just because umbrella trees aren’t demanding, it doesn’t mean they never require some attention. Specimens that become leggy, misshapen, have broken branches, some thin areas, or just need a little opening up will benefit from a little pruning.

Here are the topics we’re going to cover to help you make your umbrella tree look its best:

The best time to prune specimens grown as houseplants is in the spring or summer.

Prune in spring or fall for outdoor umbrella trees. Make all your cuts right above a leaf bud or a branch using a clean pair of pruners.

It’s vital to clean your tools before you use them, or you run the risk of spreading disease. Wipe your tools down with one part bleach to nine parts water (a 10 percent bleach solution).

You might want to wear gloves, since umbrella trees will