Dwarf Umbrella Tree

A beautiful, dwarf form Umbrella Plant with elegant, glossy fans of emerald leaves. It remains nice and compact and can even be pruned as a bonsai. You could also let it grow to small tree depending on your tastes.

This larger pot size will create instant impact.

The leaves mass together forming dense layers that look graceful and elegant. It is quick to grow and a cinch to care for. You can pinch out the stems to keep them in check and encourage a more bushy growth.

The palmate leaves can grow up to 20cm long. It holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit which indicates an easy care, vigorous plant.

SIZE (HxW): 40-200cm x 30-60cm. It won’t grow as big indoors, will be limited by its pot and can be easily pruned.

I SEE THE LIGHT: They grow best in a bright, indirect light – if you need a light to read by during the day in their position, it is too dark and they will be lack lustre. They also like a bit of air flow – this doesn’t mean cold draughts in winter – it does mean it shouldn’t be crowded in corner.

TIME FOR A DRINK: Water thoroughly, then allow the first 3cm of the soil to dry out before watering thoroughly again. This will be more frequent in spring/summer and required less in winter.

Flush the pot in spring and summer with a good dose of water to remove excess salts and then ensure it is drained before putting it back in location.

If you are running the heating throughout winter, don’t forget this is a rainforest plant so it will need a bit of extra humidity – you will know if this is the case as the leaf tips will brown. A pebble and water tray is ideal if you don’t have a humidifier. You might find you need this year round if you live in an apartment with heating/air con.

I WILL SURVIVE: In pots use a good quality potting mix to ensure good drainage. Ideally the pot or hanging basket should have drainage holes, if it doesn’t, you need to promise not to over water, if left to sit in boggy soils the plant will rot.

It is best to keep them away from heater vents and draughty windows which may cause their leaves to drop. Add a diluted liquid fertiliser in spring and summer they are not overly hungry so a couple of times a year is plenty.

You will only need to repot every few years as they become really rootbound. Size the pot up gradually as required. If you keep it in a smaller pot, it will still love you, it just won’t grow as big as it might without the extra room to move. Plants will usually prune themselves once they reach the ceiling. You can pinch the growing tips out in spring/summer to encourage a more bushy plant.