Houseplant, evergreen and rustic, easy to grow and with an attractive ornamental value due to the very rich foliage. It is an erect, well-branched shrub or tree with palmate, glossy foliage. The most cultivated is the Schefflera Arboricola, high up to 2, 5 m., composed of several shiny green or variegated cream leaflets; the Schefflera Actinophylla has oblong shiny and leathery leaves. The specimens that grow naturally produce red flowers gathered in spikes.
EXPOSURE
It requires light, in fact, in a situation of low lighting, the leaf color can fade up to the fall of the same ones. Do not expose to direct sunlight.
BLOOMING
Usually specimens living indoors are not flowering. The inflorescences of the different species gathered in panicles of varying colors (blue, lilac, red).
CARE
FERTILIZATION: No special fertilizers required. Use a fertilizer for green plants.
IRRIGATION: In the summer keep the soil slightly moist and absolutely avoid water stagnation. Watering should be regular but modest. This plant likes high humidity, so spraying on the foliage can be of great help. It is advisable to use water with few salts.
PRUNING: When the plant becomes too high you can remove the upper part with no problem. It is advisable to do so in early spring. For the grooming of the specimens living in the apartment, you must use a damp cloth to remove dust on the leaves.
DISEASES: They may be subject to mites, mealybugs and aphids, in all cases must be treated with specific products. Excellent preventive action can be carried out with adequate moisture. Excessive watering can instead cause yellowing of the leaves and their subsequent fall.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Put in a place free from drafts, watering with water at room temperature. Discard the damaged leaves.
TEMPERATURE: You should not drop below 12 ° C, it tolerates high temperatures as long as the humidity remains high.
POTTING: When necessary, in spring, about every 2-3 years.
