The Umbrella plant also called Schefflera, is one of the most beautiful plants. The critical factor that will determine either this plant will make it in our homes is the right watering practice.
In this article, I will discuss how to water your umbrella plant the right way. Plus we will cover the factors that determine the watering frequency. And the right water type to use.
But before diving deep into the details I will put the answer for our main question as simple as this: how to water umbrella plant? umbrella plant requires moist but not soggy soil. Therefore it should be watered deeply only when the top two inches of its soil are dry.
Keep reading to know the factors that determine how often you should water your Schefflera plant.
Factors that determine the umbrella watering schedule
There is no accurate answer for how often you should water your umbrella plant. Because there are varying conditions that differ from location to another. The following are the factors that determine the frequency:
Pot size
Bigger pots contain more soil. It means it will retain more moisture when compared with the smaller pot. Therefore if your plant potted in a relatively large pot it will require less frequent watering and vice versa.
However, always make sure to plant your plants in a pot that suitable for their size. The pot should have that length that equals 1/3 of the plant’s length.
Season
Umbrella plant will consume more water during spring and summer. Because in such a period it is actively growing. Therefore it consumes more water to produce more energy for growth.
While in winter umbrella plant goes dormant. It just focuses on surviving and resting rather than growth. Therefore it will consume less water.
Location
Umbrella plants can grow either indoor or outdoor. In case your plant located outdoor it will consume more water because the evaporation rater and light intensity are higher outdoor. While indoor umbrella will consume less water.
The right way to water umbrella plant
As you might now know, there is no universal schedule for how often you should water your umbrella plant. The concrete approach for watering the umbrella plant is only watering them when the soil approaching dryness.
Umbrella plant needs little drought between waterings. But don’t let the soil to be completely dry. As such a thing will cause the leaves to wrinkle and curl.
Using your finger test the soil moisture. If you found the top two inches of the soil is dry water your plant. And when you do, do it thoroughly until the water drains from the drainage holes.
Let the water drains for a few minutes then empty the saucer from the drained water. Following this approach, you will have a 50% success rate.
The other 50% is to use a well-draining potting mix for your umbrella plant. An all-purpose potting mix will work well. Avoid using garden soil as it is very compacted and has poor drainage properties.
Also, make sure to use a pot with plenty of drainage holes. In order to drains the excessive water. By following the watering approach that I told you about. And having good potting soil and drainage holes. Your umbrella plant will have the best odds to flourish in your home or office.
Sings of underwatered umbrella
Umbrella plant which being neglected and underwatered will have wrinkled and curly leaves. In such a case don’t worry your plant will recover as long as you water it deeply whenever the top two inches of its soil dry out.
Signs of overwatered Umbrella
Those are the signs you don’t want to see. Because overwatering is hard to deal with. And the recovery is not easy. You know that your umbrella plant is overwatered when the leaves turn brown and black.
Also, it will drop relatively more leaves. The solution to this problem can vary according to the intensity of the overwatering. However, cut the affected leaves. And make sure the soil has good drainage ability and the pot have drainage holes.
Sometimes, if the overwatering was consistent your plant may suffer from root rot. I wrote an article about how to deal with root rot for more actionable information.
How to water umbrella plant in a pot without drainage holes
Potting an umbrella plant in a pot without drainage holes is not recommended and it is risky. By doing so you risk your plant.
However, some people insist to use pots without drainage holes for different reasons. In such a case the plan is to give your plant water that enough to keep the soil moist without extra water setting in the root zone.
Success is not granted, but by trial and error, I found that the amount of water that satisfies such an equation is equaled half the soil volume.
For example, if the soil fills X container. You should give your plant amount of water when the top two inches of the soil is dry water that fills half of the X container.
Can I mist my umbrella plant?
An outdoor umbrella plant will love misting. Because it creates humidity and mimics its natural habitat. Make sure to mist it during the morning in order for the water to evaporate during the day.
If the water set in the plant leaves for a long period of time it may cause rot. On the other hand, you should be cautious with misting indoor umbrella plants especially if the indoor environment has little airflow and low light.
Because the water may set for a long time. And it will harm your plant as I mentioned.
The right water to use
The best water you can give to your umbrella plant is rainwater. Because it has a good pH level. You can collect rainwater during the fall season. And using it throughout the year.
The second-best option if you don’t have rainwater is distilled water. You can also use purified water, it will work fine.
Avoid using tap water because tap water contains treated chemicals that will build up through time in the soil as salts.
Those salts will make some important nutrients unavailable for the roots to absorb. If you only have access to tap water only use it after you treat it.
You treat it by putting it in an open container overnight for some treated chemicals to dissipate in the air.
In conclusion
When it comes to watering umbrella plants remember that this plant loves moist but not waterlogged soil. Therefore water your plant only when the top two inches of the soil are dry.
And when you do, do it deeply until the water drains from the drainage holes. Then empty the saucer. And the best time to water your umbrella plant is during the morning.