The Stunning Indoor Plant That Thrives Without Much Care (It's Perfect For Beginners)

If you're new to houseplants and nervous about jumping into growing them, you'll want to consider one of the best statement houseplants to own if you don't have a green thumb. While there are several options, this popular plant is not only stunning but also particularly easy to care for and great for beginner plant parents: Meet schefflera (Heptapleurum actinophyllum), a tropical houseplant that can grow to 8 feet tall and live for 25 years or more without much care. Through pruning, you can also keep it compact enough to display on a table or in a small space if the mature size is intimidating.

Schefflera experienced a bit of an identity crisis when its botanical name was changed from Schefflera actinophylla to Heptapleurum actinophyllum. But it is still commonly referred to as "schefflera," as well as the "umbrella plant" for the way its glossy leaves encircle the leafstalk like an umbrella. Though the plant flowers and puts out fruit outdoors in warm climates, it rarely flowers indoors.

You'll want to settle in your new tropical plant so it doesn't just survive, but thrive. Though it has firm light and water requirements, schefflera is a breeze to care for. Plant schefflera in an organically rich potting medium that drains well in a container with drainage holes, and place it in bright, but indirect, sunlight. If you notice the plant getting leggy, it's probably getting insufficient light. During the day, schefflera prefers temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooler temps around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Schefflera likes high humidity (ideally 40%), so check out ways to increase humidity for plants if your home is on the dry side. Keep the plant out of drafts to avoid dead areas on leaves.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry completely between waterings, giving schefflera a good soaking when you water. To avoid root rot, don't allow the roots to sit in water. Dropping leaves may indicate too much or too little water. Schefflera doesn't require fertilizer, but you can choose to give it an annual dose of water-soluble fertilizer in a half-strength solution. Prune occasionally, as needed, especially to deal with legginess. Make your cuts directly above leaves. Pest and disease problems are not significant, but the schefflera may be troubled by aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and scale. Spider mites are an issue in dry, warm rooms and can be controlled by boosting humidity.

It's important to note the toxicity of all parts of schefflera if ingested. Keep it away from pets and children. The plant's sap can also cause skin irritation.