Question
Dear Mr Creed,
I inherited a sheffelera plant when a neighbor left for Singapore six years ago. It is 19 inches tall from ground
level to top of crown. It sits inside a double pane sliding
French door and receives good southern sun all year round.
When it is very hot and dry I give it a bit of shade. I keep
the plant watered.  I do notice over the past five years that
the leaves do not grow as large as the once did.  The largest
leaf is approximately 9 inches long.

I have only trimmed away dead stems and leaves.  I have never
really "cut back" the plant in all these years.  Should I do
that for enhanced growth?  

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Eugene,

Pruning potted plants is more about aesthetics than it is about horticulture. Pruning does not "enhance" a plant's growth. It does alter its growth and its appearance. So asking if you should prune your Schefflera is like asking someone if you should get your haircut. In both cases, there is no right-or-wrong answer. It is a matter of personal preference.

As with many plants, when you prune a Schefflera stem, new growth will emerge just below the point on the stem where you make the pruning cut and grow upward from there. So you have to decide how far down on the stem you would like to see new growth emerge. If you prefer to keep a plant shorter and more compact, then regular pruning is recommended.

When you prune, stems should be cut just above a "node" - the slightly raised bump on the stem where a leaf stem attaches. The new growth will emerge from that node, so you don't want to leave an unsightly stump above the node.

When pruning, you can prune back a lot and alter the plant's appearance radically or you can take a more gradual approach by pruning back on or two stems every few months. The important thing to remember is that no matter where you prune, the plant will continue to grow, albeit in different locations.

The hardest part of pruning for most people is overcoming the fear that pruning will somehow harm or even kill the plant. That fear is not warranted. So plunge in a prune because you really cannot go wrong!

I have written an article on pruning that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to PlantCareExperts.com