Plant Profile: Schefflera

A tropical tree often cultivated as a houseplant in temperate regions, this species features bright green, palmately compound leaves arranged in clusters of seven. While it seldom blooms indoors, it can produce unremarkable red racemes. Although it is distinct from the Heptapleurum umbrella tree, both Shefflera and Heptapleurum are closely related, making them quite challenging to differentiate. They share similar care requirements, which is why they are frequently categorized together. This plant is also referred to as Brassaia arboricola.

Ingesting the leaves or sap of this plant can lead to mild toxicity, while skin contact may cause minor irritation that typically subsides within a few minutes.