Question
I have had my schefflera for over 10 years. 2 years ago I moved to my office.  Lately, it has been losing leaves, with some turning dark before falling.  It not as thick as it was a few months ago.  I repotted it about 3 years ago.  It has been in the same spot in at my office, about 20 feet from the nearest window (north side).  It has at least 12 trunks gowning out of the soil & is approximately 3 1/2 feet tall.  I don't want to lose it. Any suggestions

Answer
Hi Jane,

Sorry to hear of your problem with the Schefflera.  My first thought is that it is probably time to repot your plant; a healthy plant can need repotting annually.  You might also check to see if there is any sign of salt buildup.  This would be apparent as a white, crusty residue on the pot or on the top of the soil. A thorough watering is needed to reduce the salt concentration in the rootball.

If you should see yellowing (chlorosis) of the lower leaves, that could suggest an iron or nitrogen deficiency.  Leaf darkening is often associated with bacterial blight, but that is very evident as the leaves will show a definite leaf rot.

But as you describe, that is not your case; you have leaves that become dark green before falling off.  This could suggest a phosphorous deficiency, especially if the leaves appear to have a bluish hue.  

Since the plant is growing in a fairly low light environment (20 feet away from north window), there is no need to fertilize heavily, but you may add some balanced water-soluble "plant food" to your routine.

Keep me updated, and Good Luck!

John