Also known as Umbrella Trees, Shefflaras are among the most loved house plants for their lush green leaves that grow in a daisy-like pattern around the stem. While they are easy to care for, these plants can suffer from discolorations of the leaves if not attended properly. Reversing such changes can be tricky, and the earlier you intervene, the better.
So, why is a Schefflera turning yellow, brown, or black? Yellow and brown discolorations derive from:
- Improper lighting
- Improper water regimen
- Inadequate humidity levels
- Pests and diseases
Black discolorations and lesions, instead, mainly derived from pathogens, fungi, or bugs spreading across the leaves’ surface.
Supplying your plant the necessary care specific to the issue is currently dealing with is essential. Keep reading to discover the causes, symptoms, and solutions to Schefflera leaves’ discoloration.
Schefflera Turning Yellow or Brown
Yellow or brown discoloration of the leaves of your Schefflera often derive from similar causes. Indeed, in many cases, you will notice the leaves turn yellow and, if not looked after properly, turn brown in a matter of days.
In rare cases, this discoloration is caused by pests and diseases. However, more often, environmental factors are the main culprits for this condition.
Below, we are going to have a look at the several potential causes for leaves that are turning yellowish or brown. However, it is essential to remember that some yellowing is entirely natural and part of the look of the Schefflera. Indeed, during the growth season, the plant will shed older leaves to focus on the growth and development of new ones.
Too Much Sun
A Schefflera that receives too much direct sunlight can display yellowing leaves. This condition can be a sign of sunscald or sunburn, and you will notice the discoloration to enlarge from the edges of the leaves towards the center of it.
This condition becomes visible when the light is strong enough that causes the nutrients and moisture in the leaves to evaporate before the plant can replace it.
Solution
Generally, Schefflera plants will thrive in medium to bright indirect sunlight. However, it is crucial to notice that the light requirements of this plant can vary depending on the season, humidity levels, and temperature.
Indeed, if you have noticed the discoloration to happen during spring or the beginning of summer, you might need to move the plant in a more shaded location. To speed up the recovery process, adjust the amount of water you are feeding your plant and mist the leaves with a spray bottle if necessary.
Not Enough Sunlight
Just as detrimental as too much light, not enough sunlight can cause your plant to turn yellow and then brown slowly. This condition derives from the fact that – in the absence of necessary light, the Shefflara is not able to produce enough chlorophyll.
Indeed, this pigment is the substance responsible for the beautiful green coloration of your plant. In the dark or prolonged shade, the chlorophyll in the leaves starts to degrade, and the plant will turn yellow, brown, or white. It is not unlikely to notice leaves droppings and to fall off as well.
Solution
Even in this case, it is easy to restore the health – and beauty – of your plant. You can do so by moving your plant in a better-lit spot of the house, such as a windowsill. Just like the condition we have seen above, if you notice this happening at the end of autumn or the beginning of winter, your plant might need moving.
Improper Watering
Underwatering and overwatering are among the most common causes for the leaves of your plant becoming yellow or brown. Indeed, it is easy to misjudge the need for water and nutrients of houseplants, especially if you have been following a similar routine for months.
Many cultivators tend to water all of their plants at the same time, without checking if the plant needs water. In this way, however, it is easy to add water to already soggy soil. And, unlike other common houseplants, the Schefflera does not do well and is left with “wet feet.”
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Even worse, overwatering can cause fungi and pathogens to spread and attack weakened roots. In turn, this can develop into a life-threatening root rot, which, if left untreated, can cause the decay and death of the plant.
Solution
Just like in the case of light requirements, your plant might need more or less water depending on the season and external temperature. In any case, you should test the soil by inserting your finger below the surface before watering it. Indeed, if only the surface of the potting mix is dry, the plant still has enough moisture from which to source nutrients and oxygen.
Humidity Levels
The level of humidity in the room or space where you keep your Schefflera can also make a difference in its health status and development rate. Indeed, this plant prefers warm, highly-humid climates with levels as high as 85%. These unique characteristics help the leaves retain their moistures in warmer temperatures and when exposed to sunlight.
Solution
While regulating the amount of water to feed the plant and the surrounding temperature might not be particularly tricky, controlling the humidity levels of your home can be. However, some easy tricks allow you to keep the leaves moist and shiny independently on the actual humidity level of the room.
Firstly, you could mist the leaves several times a day, especially during the warmest months. If this solution is not accessible to you, choose to create a humidity tray underneath the plant. You can create one at home by filling a dish with water and positioning some pebbles in it. Place the Schefflera on the stones, just above the water. The tray will release moisture in the surrounding environment keeping the Schefflera moist.
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Lastly, position all your house plants next to each other. This vicinity will allow them to regulate the surrounding humidity naturally.
Pests
While healthy Schefflera plants are highly resistant to pests, if already weakened by one of the conditions we have seen above, you should look out for infestations. Specific bugs, such as spider mites and mealybugs, will feed off the nutrients and moisture in the leaves of your plant, leaving them dry and discolored.
Solution
The pests mentioned above can reproduce and multiply quickly and are not controlled. However, if you act as soon as you notice the first signs of mealybugs secretion on the leaves, you can get rid of them by dabbing them with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol.
Schefflera Turning Black
If the Schefflera leaves have started to turn black, you might be dealing with a pathogen, such as a fungus. These can manifest themselves in rots and gray or black mold growing on the leaves of your plant. In the most common scenario, this mold derives from the honeydew of mealybugs that was left untreated for a while, creating black sooty mold.
Solution
Aside from eliminating the bugs with a Q-tip rubbed in alcohol, you could opt to wash the leaves of your plant with a soapy solution. However, you should ensure that the soap you are using is only mild and diluted to avoid compromising the health of the leaves. Ultimately, you should get rid of the affected leaves that are already dead to contain the spreading of the disease
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 17, 2020.
Final Thoughts
Schefflera plants are rarely affected by pests and pathogens, yet their leaves can be susceptible to discoloration due to environmental factors. Improper watering, lighting, humidity levels, and nutrients can cause your plant to turn yellow and then brown. If the leaves are turning black, instead, you should expect the leaves for signs of mites and bugs.