Question
Hi Nick, I believe the plant I have is a tropical plant. Gold Capella. I bought it without any instruction. I live in south Texas and it was purchased as an outdoor plant. What I have read so far is that it is an inside plant. Can it be planted outside in this area? If so, is it to be planted in sun or shade.

Answer
Hi Lori, Nice plant for a beginner, it is very forgiving and easy to care for; Shefflera Arbicola is indeed tropical and normally used as a house plant because of that fact. Your probably in a zone 8 maybe 9a climate zone and that means it would need a little protection during the winter, for it is really only cold tolerant down to the high 30's, this simply means that if you are expecting lower temps, you probably will need to take some precautions to prevent cold damage. Your "Gold Capella" likes early sun, and afternoon shade and adequately irrigated; fertilize it 3 times a year with a 10-10-10 granular and it will do just fine. If you are going to put it in the ground, then do so keeping in mind what I said about cold protection; if you are going to pot it, then you can locate it where it will get the early Sun, and move it around when a cold snap threatens. Nick