Schefflera amate

Common Name:
Umbrella Tree, Queensland Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree

Description:
Schefflera amate, commonly known as the Umbrella Tree, is a fast-growing, evergreen plant native to the tropical rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. It is prized for its large, glossy green leaves arranged in an umbrella-like fashion, providing a lush, tropical aesthetic. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade, making it suitable for indoor environments. It prefers well-draining, moist soil and benefits from regular watering, allowing the topsoil to dry out between waterings. In its natural habitat, Schefflera amate can reach heights up to 15 meters, but when cultivated indoors, it typically grows to about 3 meters. Flowering is rare in indoor settings; however, in optimal outdoor conditions, it produces red flowers during the summer months.

Form:

• Tree – Medium

• Tree – Large (in natural habitat)

• Shrub – Large (when pruned)

Mature Size:

• Height: Up to 3 meters indoors; up to 15 meters outdoors

• Width: Up to 4 meters

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

• Indoors / Well lit

Flowering:

• Flowers in Summer (rarely indoors)

Flower Colour:

• Red

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Disease Resistant

• Perennial

• Suitable for Topiary

• Suitable for Espalier

• Air Purifying

• Low Maintenance

Toxicity:

• Toxic to humans and animals if ingested; can cause oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing due to calcium oxalate crystals.

Companion Plants:

• Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant)

• Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

• Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree)

• Philodendron spp.