How to Propagate Umbrella Tree Plant

Umbrella tree plant or Schefflera arboricola is a popular houseplant that can grow up to 8 feet tall. It is easy to care for and makes for an attractive addition to any household. If you want to propagate your umbrella tree plant, there are three methods that you can use: stem cuttings, air layering, and division. In this article, we will be discussing each method and the steps involved.

Stem Cuttings

The first method is stem cuttings. This is the easiest and most common method of propagating umbrella tree plant. Follow these simple steps:

Choose a healthy stem from your umbrella tree plant. It should be at least 4-6 inches long and have a few leaves.

Make a clean cut below a node using a sharp, sterilized knife or pruning shears. Remove any leaves from the lower portion of the stem.

Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder.

Plant the stem cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.

Water the potting mix gently and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or container to create a humid environment.

Place the pot in bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist but not wet.

After a few weeks, check for roots by gently tugging on the stem. If there is resistance, roots have formed and the plastic bag can be removed.

Once the new plant has established roots and new growth, transplant it to a larger pot with fresh potting mix.

Air Layering

Air layering is a more advanced and time-consuming method of propagating umbrella tree plant. It involves creating roots on the stem of the existing plant before it is separated. Follow these steps:

Choose a healthy branch of your umbrella tree plant that is at least 1/2 inch in diameter.

Make a 1-inch vertical cut on the stem, about 1/3 of the way through the diameter of the stem.

Place a toothpick or a matchstick in the cut so it can hold open the wound.

Moisten a handful of sphagnum moss and wrap it around the cut, covering it completely.

Wrap the moss with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it in place.

Check the moss periodically to make sure it's moist and add water as needed.

After about six weeks, roots should have developed within the moss. Cut below the newly formed roots on the original plant and separate the new plant from the parent plant.

Plant the new plant in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix and keep it in bright, indirect light.

Division

Division is the process of separating the existing plant into smaller sections, each of which will grow into a new plant. This method is ideal for umbrella tree plants that have grown too large for their pot. Here's how you can do it:

Carefully remove the plant from its pot and examine the root ball.

Using a clean, sharp knife, cut the root ball in half or into smaller sections, making sure that each section has a few stems and leaves.

Repot each section in a fresh pot filled with well-draining potting mix.

Water each section carefully and place them in a bright, but indirect light.

Monitor the health of each section and water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Overall, propagating an umbrella tree plant is easy with the right knowledge and tools. Whether you choose stem cuttings, air layering, or division, the key is to choose a healthy plant, use a well-draining potting mix, and keep the new plant in bright, indirect light. Happy propagating!