Tips On How To Repot or Transplant Schefflera Trees

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Some plants are best represented by one or two species or (in the case of pothos) a plant that isn’t even part of the genus.

When it comes to the 600 to 900 species of Schefflera (shef-LER-uh), the umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) and its cousin, the dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) tend to rule the roost.

It’s also well-known by its common names:

women and child transplanting dwarf ScheffleraPin
  • Umbrella tree
  • Dwarf umbrella tree
  • Parasol plant
  • Octopus tree
  • Hawaiian schefflera
  • Dwarf schefflera

Schefflera plants are also native to Australia, New Guinea, Taiwan, and China and thrive in warm, wet climates in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12.


These fast-growing members of the Araliaceae family can quickly outgrow their containers and are known to be moderate feeders, so repotting these houseplants every three years (or when they become rootbound) is important.

In some cases, it’s also the perfect excuse to take these trees, which can range in height from 13 to 33 feet or higher, to the garden, where they’ll be able to reach for the sky.

How Do You Repot or Transplant Schefflera Plants?

Repotting Schefflera plants can be a painless process if you prepare ahead of time.

However, it’s important to do this to encourage your plant for root and foliage growth. 

The following steps will help ensure the process goes off without any incident.

When to Repot?

Before any new growth, late winter to early spring tends to be the best time for repotting (and maintenance in general).

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Photo Credit: Instagram @tlsullivan

You will want to repot your umbrella plant when the tree becomes rootbound, which is usually evidenced by roots poking out of the drainage holes.

You may also need to repot in the event of root rot, at which point the emergency repotting may occur at any point in the year.

Note that you should repot every 3 years even if the plant isn’t rootbound, to give it some fresh soil.

Preparation

You will need a few tools, as repotting a Schefflera is part of a bigger care regimen.



Thus, you should grab a sharp knife and either isopropyl or rubbing alcohol for sterilizing.

In the case of a root-bound plant, you may also need to grab a butter knife and a new pot one size larger if it is kept potted.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a second or third pair of hands to help with the process for larger plants.

Hands with black gloves repotting a plant, with soil spilling into an orange container and an empty pot ready for the plant.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @greenwindow2020

Also, make sure to use gloves when handling this plant, as all its parts, including the sap, contain toxic compounds like calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate.

You may also want to transplant the day after watering to help ensure the soil is nice and loose.

Preparing the Soil

Any tropical potting soil mix will work, although richer ones, such as African violet or orchid mixes, can provide a healthy boost.

You may need to amend the soil with perlite and an organic component, such as peat moss, sphagnum moss, coco coir, or organic compost. This will ensure your soil has good drainage and avoid excess moisture.

Remember that this plant likes slight acidity, so when using a base potting mix, check to make sure the pH level is between 6.0 and 6.5

If transplanting your Schefflera outdoors, you will want to till and amend the soil beforehand.

Potted plant with exposed roots next to an empty black plastic pot on a black sheetPin
Photo Credit: Instagram @ohiotropics

One of the best things you can do for any plant that needs good drainage is to add a substrate layer of gravel or coarse sand at the bottom of your hole.

This creates a buffer zone that will hold any excess rainwater away from your plant’s roots until the ground can absorb it.

Schefflera actually enjoys a clay component in the soil, but you shouldn’t use straight clay soils as they will compact too easily.

Instead, mix in some perlite and a decent amount of organic compost when tilling to ensure the plant will get everything it needs.

Orchid bark is another good choice for organic matter, as it stores some water but also prevents the soil from compacting.

Moreover, you can also add liquid fertilizer to the soil to add the required nutrients.

Preparing the Plant

Plants don’t like to be shifted from their soil and will suffer some degree of transplant shock.

Having everything ready ahead of time can help reduce the amount of stress your plant goes through, but you will also need to give it a physical to ensure it’s not sick.

Check for any signs of pest infestation – spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, scale insects – or disease on leaves and stems around mid-winter. 

Address those problems immediately with Neem Oil sprays or drenches so the plant will have a clean bill of health when it comes time to transplant it.

Person's hands holding a dense, soil-covered root ball of a plant during repotting.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @tinydancer010

Ensure to check physical signs on your plant, including wilting or yellowing leaves. This may also be due to poor soil conditions, such as poor drainage, pH imbalance, and compactness.

Overwatering, underwatering, lack of light, or diseases may also lead to this. Make sure to address these by improving drainage and providing proper lighting and pH levels.

You may also choose to prune the plant when repotting, although it’s best not to do an overly aggressive trim at this time if you want your Schefflera to make a quick recovery. 

Read: How To Prune Schefflera

Removing the Plant

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get the plant out of its old container.

Carefully tip the pot and slide your plant out.

You may need to use a butter knife to gently loosen the soil away from the pot edge if the plant is rootbound.

Person holding uprooted plant with roots exposed near a window with potted plants and blue glass bottles on the sill.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @ugdoesgreen

Examine the roots, gently shaking or knocking away old soil and looking for signs of rot or damage.

Using the sharper knife, carefully trim off any needed roots, remembering to sterilize after each cut.

Give the Schefflera a test fit in the pot to see how far down it sits.

For every inch of the base of the plant site below the rim, you’ll need an inch of substrate.

If you’re worried about drainage issues, you may wish to put a bottom layer of pebbles in before adding soil.

Finally, add a base layer of soil equal to the needed amount for your plant to sit at the proper height.

Replanting

Before planting, ensure your Schefflera will receive bright, indirect sunlight for at least four hours every day. Avoid direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

Lower your dwarf Schefflera into the pot on top of the substrate layer.

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Photo Credit: Instagram @anetteinnature

Make sure the plant stays upright (a good excuse to have some help present), reach into the pot, and adjust the roots to be more evenly distributed around the available space.

Once satisfied, add soil to the pot until the top level is ½ to ⅔” inches below the rim.

Follow this up with a slow watering to help the soil settle and give the plant a little recovery drink, stopping when you see the water begin to seep from the drainage hole.

For outdoor planting, the steps are identical, although you won’t have the benefit of seeing when the soil is properly saturated, so use your best judgment.

Aftercare

Scheffleras can take a couple of days to show signs of transplant shock and will need a couple of weeks to recover fully.

Person holding a plant showing its dense root system in their hands.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @sachet_bhartiya

During this time, avoid moving or feeding the plant and ensure it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.

In most cases, your plant will begin showing fresh growth after about a month and will be recovered enough to move around and/or go back to its normal feeding schedule.