Schefflera plants are also known as “Umbrella plants.” They are houseplants that grow with ease. They are pest resistant. Also, they require pruning if they get too large.

The pruning method is simple. Let’s consider 7 steps you can take to prune.

1. See Whether Your Schefflera Plant Has One Stem or Several Stems

This will determine how you prune your plants. A Schefflera with many stems gives you more advantages when you prune. They grow fuller and have places in which leaves can grow. At the same time, a Schefflera with a single stem develops into a tall and thin plant.

  •  When you trim your plant, keep the natural shape of the plant intact. Trim your plant as it grows. Please do not destroy the natural growth pattern of the plant as it can be more difficult.
  •  When you want to buy a plant, the type of plant you want determines the type of Schefflera you choose.

If you want your plant to be full and bushy, do well to pick a Schefflera with multiple stems. And if you want your plant to grow tall and thin, choose a Schefflera with a single stem.

2. Decide How You Want Your Plant to Look Like Now and in the Future

Many people have different tastes for plants. Some may want a thin and, at the same time, tall plant. Some love a short and full growth plant.

Your choice rests on the area you live in and the level of care you can give it. When you trim, you determine how you want your plant to grow.

  •  The growth nodes of a Schefflera are located on the stem. This is where the leaves shoot out. Due to the Schefflera full growth, there are many growth nodes on it. So you have to decide how you want your plant to grow, so you will know where to trim in your plant.
  •  Before you cut any leaves, you have to think about this! This will help you promote the growth of the leaves. And it will help you avoid trimming too many leaves.

3. Examine Whether Your Plant is in a Good State

Before you trim your plant, ensure it’s in good health. Ensure that the soil in which your plant is grown is good and has a lot of water.

If you notice that the roots of your plant are too many, you can report your plant. This will help to boost its growth.

  •  See if your plant is in a good state of health. If you notice discoloration or brown spots in your leaves, you need to examine how well it is watered or how much nutrients your soil offers. Schefflera should not be potted in soil with much water. So you dry off water from the soil. But if it does not change your plant’s state, you can try to replace your potted plant’s soil.

4. Get Your Tools Ready for the Job

The tools you need for pruning depends on the size of the plants you are pruning. For small plants like shrubs, use pruning tools such as hand pruners, shears, or loppers. But for bigger plants that are up to 40 feet tall, you can use a pole pruner for pruning.

But if the tree is too large to be pruned safely with a pole pruner, you can call a professional pruning service.

5. Cut an Erect Stem Just Above the Growth Node to Make the Height of the Schefflera Plant Smaller

Simply put, trim the plant above the place where a leaf has shot out. This will make the height become smaller and prevent it from gaining height. The plant will also attain a fuller growth in the place where you cut.

  •  Use a bypass pruning shear, a scissor-like type of pruning shear. This is because other types of shares can crush the stems instead of cutting through them.
  •  Sometimes, the plant experiences a lack of light.

This can cause the plant to grow in a way you do not want, maybe because it grows to get light. So, remember this when you want to choose a place for your plant to stay.

6. Cut the Horizontal Branch to size Just Above the Leaf Node to Reduce the Width of the Schefflera Plant

When you cut the branch above the leaf node, your plant will attain fuller growth. Do not be afraid to cut the leaf further. Schefflera plants can handle harsh pruning.

  •  Use the bypass pruning shear. This will enable it to cut through the stem.

7. Cut the Stem Down to Six Inches to Rejuvenate Straggly Plants to Grow

When plants get abandoned, they overgrow. And if you cannot shape the plant through the use of gentle pruning, you can trim the plant down. This will give you better access to how to control the growth of the plant.

When you trim your plant down, it grows back to a desirable plant with enough light, water, and nutrients.

  •  When you trim your plant, leave up to two to three nodes on the stem. This will give the plant the chance to form new growth.
  •  You can use the pieces that are cut off for propagation.

Cut two layers and bury them into the moist soil for a few weeks.

This will give the cuttings nodes to grow. Before the plant can then be repotted, roots should shoot out from the bottom of the cuttings.

General tips

  • Trim Schefflera plants in late winter. It would be best if you did this before the plant sends out new growth.
  • As your plant ages, trim away foliages as it dies.
  • Do rotate the sides of your plant to get enough light and evenly grow.
  • Pinch with your fingers the tips of your new Schefflera plant. This will force the plant to grow out as a branch with a full appearance.


In this article, we have seen 7 ways to prune your Schefflera or house plant. These are:

1. Check whether your Schefflera has a single stem or multiple stems

2. Decide how you want your plant to look like now and in the future

3. Examine whether your plant is healthy

4. Get your pruning tools ready

5. Cut an erect stem just above the growth node to make the height of the Schefflera plant smaller

6. cut the horizontal branch to size just above the leaf node to reduce the width of the Schefflera

7. Cut the stem down to 6 inches to rejuvenate a straggly plant to grow

When you follow these steps and tips, you will be able to prune your Schefflera plant. Also, you will be able to promote the growth of your houseplants.

Thank you for reading this article. If you have any questions about and or ideas that you want to share, you are welcome, and kindly leave your comment below, and I’ll be happy to write back to you.