The Simple Way To Turn A Schefflera Tree Into A Statement Houseplant

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Schefflera trees are already pretty iconic. Their interestingly-shaped leaves and grand height make them fantastic houseplants that add a touch of the exotic to any home. There are two schefflera tree varieties often grown as houseplants, and these are the umbrella tree (S. actinophylla) and the dwarf schefflera (S. arboricola). The former can grow to around 8 to 10 feet, with the dwarf variety staying at about 4 to 6 feet when grown indoors. If you have one of these schefflera trees in your home, you can transform it into a statement houseplant by using wire to give it interesting shapes. This technique is perfect if your larger houseplant has become leggy, but it is also a great way to train smaller ones.

To create fun, whimsical shapes with your schefflera tree, you will need to get some bonsai wire. Bonsai wire is usually made out of anodized aluminum or annealed copper, as these have the flexibility necessary for shaping trees. It may be a good idea to go to your local garden store to see if they have any or order some online, like the Mudder Aluminum Bonsai Training Wire, as a lot of other wire may not bend and hold shape for your schefflera tree. When selecting wire for your schefflera tree, consider the size and strength of the wire and the size of the branches. A helpful trick is to press a straight bit of potential wire onto the branch of your schefflera tree. If the wire bends, it is not strong enough, but if the branch bends, you can use the wire. If you don't have any wire strong enough, you can try doubling it up.

Once you have your wire and your tree, it is helpful to do a little tidying up before you begin. Remove any dead or damaged leaves with clean pruning shears. Decide if you want to prune your houseplant, too, as cutting it back to up to a third can encourage new growth and a more compact, bushier appearance. Then plan out how you wish to shape it and what branches you will be wiring. If there is more than one trunk, you could add wire to the different main stems, or you may want to stick with the central one. 

When you know how you will be shaping your tree, start applying the wire from the thickest point of the branch, securing it in place by either looping it around the stem or sticking it in the soil. Then, carefully wrap the wire around the trunk, ensuring that it is not too tight that it can damage the tree. When the wire is in place, you can gently shape your tree. Get creative here, bringing movement, shapes, and swirls to your schefflera tree to create something unique! Take your time and don't force anything — gentleness is key in order to avoid any breaks or damage. When done, place your statement houseplant somewhere where it will be happy (medium to bright light and away from drafts) and enjoy its fun, new shape!