Some plant species have fascinating leaf markings that can create a stunning vertical accent in a room or office. I water about once or twice a month. Plants may be stressed by shipping conditions, causing drooping. But those leaves always seem to die and droop. My umbrella plant has been getting these brown spots on the leaves (especially on the lower “branches”) and then eventually it drops the leaf. No matter what kind of umbrella plant you are growing, it is an unfortunate fact of life that you may end up coming across an issue that you won’t know how to deal with. I currently have a gnat problem that is being handled fortunately but are the leaves falling due to the gnats? Make sure your plant has all the conditions it needs for health and that no insects are visible on the leaves: It is healthy but all the new leaves die eventually. Drooping leaves Umbrella Plants have dropping leaves whenever your watering skills are a bit off. The tender new leaves will always start out a lighter color. Umbrella plants aren’t topping the lists of trendy houseplants these days, but they’re a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for plant that can add graceful foliage to a room. Pothos leaves drooping due to dry soil If you waited two weeks before watering and see leaves that have wilted then you need more water. Don’t forget to check out our new web stories! If you want an impressive umbrella plant, choose one of the yellow and green or white and green variegated cultivars. The sick leaves are a brownish color. It is not in direct sunlight and does not get overwatered. We have combined these two powerful search tools into a single Find a Plant service searching over 250,000 plant records. The pathogen Alternaria panax is responsible for Alternaria leaf spot on umbrella trees. Then disinfect the pot with a solution of 1 part household bleach and 10 parts water. If allowing the soil to dry and replacing the soil don't bring improvement, the roots may be so damaged that the plant will not recover. Virtually all of the features of the old searches are still available and in addition we have added several new features to create a more comprehensive and user friendly search experience. There is also more than a fair share of people who truly enjoy being able to work with plants. The schefflera, or umbrella tree, can make a large and attractive accent in a living room, office, or other generous space.Propagating cuttings from schefflera plants is a simple and inexpensive way to create a collection of impressive plants for gifts or home décor. Here, the problem would be to try and water the plant at an appropriate level. Note that the plant is in indirect sun and I only water it when the top layer of soil is dry. Over or underwatering, low light, temperature extremes, repotting, pests, illness, under/overfeeding, reduced moisture or a new place can trigger going down fallen leaves. Typically, if there is not enough water for the plant to thrive, the soil will feel dry and dusty to the touch. It is one of the most common houseplants in the country, and there are many different variants of it. Drooping leaves are most often caused by overwatering or underwatering. The taller umbrella plant from Taiwan (Schefflera arboricola) grows from 8 to 10 feet tall indoors in USDA zones 10 through 12, says the Missouri Botanical Garden. Close. Plants do not appreciate the environment of planes. Sometimes called umbrella plant for its umbrellalike compound leaves as well as a canopy that also resembles an umbrella, schefflera is a popular houseplant that can grow to impressive size inside under the right conditions. There are some subtle differences, namely in the soil, that will give you the clues you need to determine whether there was too much or too little water in the soil. After all, there are so many types of plants out there that you can choose to work with. When the spaces between soil particles remain filled with water, oxygen can't get to the roots, leaving them vulnerable to pathogens. Some people enjoy staying physically fit and may partake in local sports clubs. If the soil is oversaturated with water, it will feel moist to the touch. Improve this question. Unpot the umbrella plant and check the roots, which become soft, brown and mushy. Drooping Pothos leaves are a common problem, but fortunately can be corrected when the underlying issue is fixed. If the soil remains wet for too long, root rot sets in on umbrella plant leaves, reports the University of Florida IFAS Extension. There’s a good chance that if it is not the environment and you haven’t moved recently, even the smallest situations can feel stressful for the plant. People grow a dwarf Schefflera plant for its impressive foliage because it rarely blooms indoors. Umbrella Plant Leaves. houseplants. A couple of weeks ago, however, I noticed that although it was still producing new shoots, the upper foliage was pale and drooping and there is also a little discolouration on three or four of the lower leaves. The difference between umbrella plants with one and multiple stems makes difference between bushy plants and tall, thin plants. TELLTALE SIGN #2: Leaves that fall off If your Schefflera is suffering from leaf loss, too low temperatures could be the reason for this. If the plant isn’t getting enough light the leaves will turn yellow and drop off. Its lush drooping leaves, arranged in circles, earned this stunning plant its well-suited name. This is where umbrella plants fall into the mix. Some people may take an interest in the plants they have produced that you can harvest and work with from the plant, while other people may plant solely to see the gorgeous and vivid blooms that come from particular plants. The umbrella tree is susceptible to oedema. Umbrella plants do well in average room humidity and these conditions will also help them fight against pest infestations. A. Over- or under-watering can cause curling and drooping leaves on some plants, and insects can also cause curling leaves. Kathleen Marie Kathleen Marie. Schefflera are very versatile and can often be found shaped into an elegant little bonsai tree. Can Planting Asparagus Ferns Too Close Cause Them to Yellow? You should also allow the soil to dry out somewhat. You will want to take the umbrella plant out of its pot to try and check the roots (which will be brown, soft, and mushy). Umbrella plants are tropical jungle understory plants, growing in bright indirect light or partial shade locations. When you notice the leaves of your Schefflera wilting or drooping, check the soil. The leaves on an acer platanoides tree which was planted at vour local hospice two years ago have suddenly gone all droopy and limp. Hi! One of the most common problems that you will encounter with the umbrella plant is that its leaves will begin drooping for seemingly unknown reasons. By being able to remove as much of the rot as possible, you will be able to help the plant survive. I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. Water the plant thoroughly. If the soil remains wet for too long, root rot sets in on umbrella plant leaves, reports the University of Florida IFAS Extension. For example, if you notice that your umbrella plant isn’t thriving, then you may want to take a look at its leaves, as these will be a common indicator of something going wrong. Most plants will thrive in their new homes, but those that are transplanted incorrectly can suffer from repot plant stress. A. If you want a full, bushy umbrella tree, do not choose the one with only one stem, and vice versa. This post may contain affiliate links. Make sure the plant is in bright light. Only you can know which one is the culprit - have a feel of the soil to know which it is and go from there. Learn about general Pothos care with this complete care guide. people tend to feel “droopy” when they do not get enough oxygen, They are susceptible to root and stem rot, so any excess water should be removed from their tray after watering. The overabundance of water leads to hard tan, white or brown blisters on the umbrella tree foliage. For your umbrella plant, you are going to want to try and think about whether its location subjects the plant to any drafts of hot or cold air, including air that would come from the heating ducts, air conditioners, or radiators. Again, much like people, plants do not handle excessive prolonged and stressful situations all that well either. Answer: Often drooping leaves indicate that there isn’t enough water in the leaves, or that there is too much water (in my experience, the leaves droop more when underwatered— it’s hard to overwater in a pot with good drainage). This is one of the main things to consider when choosing your umbrella plant in the first place. I re-potted it straight away into a pot not much bigger than the pot it came in and it did really well. Posted by 2 months ago. If you click one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Umbrella plants are a very common type of houseplant that you have surely seen before, even if you don’t know what its name is. Type above and press Enter to search. Does anyone know why my umbrella plant keeps dropping new leaves. This fungal disease causes large brown to black spots to develop on leaves, petioles and stems. Transplant Shock from Repotting It may take a few weeks for the plant to recover, or it may continue drooping, and new growth will eventually replace the old foliage. If so, discard the plant and soil and wash the pot. There is also a handful of people who enjoy being able to plant and maintain their houseplants so that they can keep their interior home design looking good. Drooping leaves will further deteriorate, become yellow and drop off. Finally, there are two last reasons why your umbrella plant’s leaves may be drooping. Is Direct Sun on My Schefflera Plant Causing It to Become Yellow? This will give the plant ample spots at which to form new growth. Drooping leaves are usually a sign of a faulty watering routine. Leaflets of the umbrella plant (Schefflera spp., also called Brassaia) radiate outward from a central point, giving the foliage an umbrella-like, tropical effect. In some cases, it happens because the roots are not getting enough oxygen. 157. Any thoughts … Happy planting! Normally problem-free and simple to grow, umbrella plants can sometimes exhibit drooping leaves. Thankfully, with enough time and research, you will be able to not only find the cause of the problem, but also be able to fix it. Speaking of water, both too much and too little water can result in dropping leaves in the umbrella plant. Share. Also, if there is a cold draft in the area where you have your Scheff, this could also be causing the leaves to drop. In a sense, the umbrella plant is very human as it responds to stress. There are a fair few problems that can cause an umbrella plant’s leaves to droop. Pruning an Umbrella Plant. When this happens, its most common cause is going to be root rot. Especially in a hobby that is as fickle as gardening, there are times where your plant may begin acting in a way that you have never seen before and you may be at a total loss as to what you should do.