The tree can grow up to 15 meters. It is evergreen and has compound medium green leaves in clusters of seven. This tree depends for mechanical support on other rainforest trees. The tree is multi-trunked and flowers bloom at the treetop.

The umbrella plant is a multi trunk tree that can grows over 15 metres tall outdoors and has to be pruned and topped at some point to keep its size manageable within a home. Its close relative () Schefflera Actinophylla) has to carefully planted because of its invasive nature and is seen as a weed in certain places.

You will find three main varieties available including variegated (Gold Capella), plain green leafed and dwarf sized trees just named schefflera and umbrella plant on sale in garden stores). They are also grown as bonsai trees. If you want to purchase a plant but your unsure of whether it’s a S.arboricola or S.actinophylla and it’s just named schefflera; there are some slight differences, although care conditions needed are the same – so I would suggest you buy it if you like it.

They can grow with one trunk, but most likely with a two or more and multiple branches displaying palmate compound or whorled leaves (like fingers coming from the stalk) with four to twelve leaflets or more, giving it an umbrella spoke appearance. The glossy leaflets are near oval shaped and a few inches long and a couple of inches wide (depending on the age and size of the tree).

Grown in warmer climates outdoors – the umbrella plant produces bright red flowers like tentacles growing above the foliage on long stems (it’s where it gets the common name octopus tree). Unfortunately were not able to get these in flower when grown indoors.

We’ll be sharing more about this plant in future.