Question
Schefflera
About six months ago, my mother gave us a beautiful, full Schefflera (about 3 ft tall, 3 ft in diameter) that she has had several years on her very well-lit four-seasons porch. We placed it on our enclosed, but not heated porch through the summer and fall and it thrived. We live in Iowa, however, so we moved it inside a couple of months ago when temperatures began dropping, as nights on the porch can get below freezing. I'm assuming that both its relocation and decrease in light intensity in its current location (partial/indirect sunlight in an east-facing window) have led to its decline, but we have very little light inside our home and our porch is freezing. I have only been watering it every week and a half or so ?whenever the soil is dry to the touch ?so I don't think it's been overwatered. The leaves are not yellow and do not have spots. It haven't even been dropping a lot of leaves; they just seem to be dying and I don't know what to do. The plant, sadly, looks nearly dead aside for three branches, which are greener than ever and look very healthy. My question is whether any of this plant can be saved at this point, and how to go about transplanting if so. I've considered getting a plant light, but I know very little about plants and want to make sure that if I try to salvage this thing, I do it correctly. Please help! This plant was gorgeous just months ago and I'd hate to learn after throwing it away that there was something I could have done to save it. Any help would be very much appreciated!!
AnswerHi Ashley,
Thank you for providing such detailed information.
Unfortunately, there is no substitute for good light. Your Schefflera arboricola is reacting to the sharp decline in light by shedding most of the older leaves so it can support some new growth. In reduced light, plants can support only fewer leaves.
Fertilizer and transplanting will not help. In fact, both will be counter productive. Special plant lights are fine, but expensive. A standard fluorescent bulb placed close to and immediately above the plant will help considerably and not cost a fortune to operate for 8 or more hours per day. The artificial light will help, but not enough to get your Schefflera back to where it was before.
Stems that have lost all of their leaves should be pruned back. Continue to water only when the top half-inch of soil feels dry. Do not fertilize or repot. Be patient and understand that light controls plant growth and in the light it is now in the light is barely adequate to keep the plant alive, but not enough for it to thrive.
I have written an article on Schefflera care that I will email for free to anyone who sends a request to me at my address below.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
