Schefflera arboricola 'Gerda'
Taiwan umbrella tree, Ivy tree
Also known as Heptapleurum arbicola 'Gerda'
- Height × spread
- 5.5m × 5.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A beautiful variegated form of the much-loved umbrella plant. This is a showy dwarf form with its leaves, long, leathery and whorled round the top of a stem. These are coloured dark green with a broad and irregular yellow centre to the leaf. It seldom flowers under cultivation but these are of little significance. Flowers are followed by black or orange berry fruits. It is generally grown as a houseplant, but it may be put out in the summer. In the very warmest parts of the country this may survive outdoors all year if grown as a shrub rather than a tree. General care: If grown indoors give it bright indirect light in a warm, always frost free environment. Water regularly as soon as compost becomes nearly dry. Water less often in winter. Feed monthly from late spring to end of summer with general houseplant fertiliser. It can be pruned in spring, taking the main stem back to a lower point where there is a node.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 5.5m
- Spread
- 5.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin allergen
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
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