- 1). Combine in the pot two or three of the plant medium -- perilite, vermiculite, peat moss or sand. The plant medium provides support and moisture for the stem while it forms roots. Moisten the plant medium, though it should not be soggy. Let the water drain out.
- 2). Take a 6- to 8-inch long cutting from a green growing tip of schefflera. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end into the rooting hormone. Stick the stem cutting into the plant medium 1 to 2 inches.
- 3). Place the pot in a warm bright space. Keep the plant medium evenly moist at all times. When you water the cutting, pour the water slowly so as not to displaced the stem and its roots. It takes several weeks for schefflera to develop a root system. Gently tug on the stem and if it doesn't pull out of the planting medium, it's ready to be planted in a larger pot with indoor potting soil.
- 4). Plant the schefflera in a 10- or 12-inch pot with indoor potting soil. When the rootball completely fills the pot, repot it into a larger pot. Schefflera is rapid growing and can get quite large. You can contain it by regular pruning and shaping. Remove faded leaves and stray branches. Fertilize the plant three times in summer with a foliage plant food.
- 5). Set your potted schefflera in medium light. A home temperature of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit suits it well. It thrives in higher temperatures, but schefflera drops its leaves if exposed to colder temperatures. If the stems become spindly, move the plant to higher light. Keep your plant out of drying winds and cold drafts. Average humidity of 30 to 60 percent keeps schefflera thriving.
- 6). Water the soil evenly and keep it slightly moist during its active growing period. Let it dry out between waterings in the winter. Overwatering schefflera results in rotted roots, so make sure the soil is well-drained. Never let it sit in water. Dump any water that fills the tray of the pot after watering.
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