Variegated Arboricola Plant – A Comprehensive Guide to Growing

The variegated Arboricola (schefflera) is a very popular houseplant that’s valued for its colourful foliage. Its dark green leaves are interspersed with bright spots of yellow on the edges and underneath – an attractive sight so praiseworthy that 18th-century French botanist, Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, decided to name it ‘Arboricola variegata’ to commemorate the area of Rome where he first encountered a specimen of the exotic-looking plant. Since then, many other names have been used to refer to this desirable houseplant, including the variegated dwarf Schefflera, Mini Schefflera, and mini umbrella tree. Those of you who are already plant lovers will know that the plant also goes by the name Dwarf Citrus tree. Its anglicised name, Arboricola, simply means one that grows on a tree. The plant’s botanical name is Serissia arboricola.

 

What Is a Variegated Arboricola?

Variegated Arboricola is a cultivar of the dwarf Schefflera, a tropical plant that is native to Taiwan and Hainan. The plant is a member of the flowering plant family Araliaceae, which includes the umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla). This is a plant that is highly valued for its multi-coloured leaves. The central vein of the leaves is yellow or cream, while the edges contain a green colour. Variegated Arboricola is a form of this plant with light streaks, patterning or blotches of green, yellow or cream on the leaves. The leaves are palmately compound, which means that the leaves are made up of several leaflets which radiate out from a central point. The leaves of the plant are bright green in colour and have a distinctive appearance.

Variegation: What Makes It Special?

The epithet for fasciata, variegata, means ‘variegated’ and refers to the leaf colour of this species, a mutation of the regular green Arboricola foliage consisting of spots of green chlorophyll mixed with less pigmented hues of yellow and cream. Such variegated leaves are beautiful, a distinctive pattern generating the perception of motion on a stagnant plant. It is no surprise that variegated plants decorate indoor spaces. They liven up a room; indeed, the variegated Arboricola is a classic indoor plant.

How to Grow Variegated Arboricola Indoors

Light Requirements

Your variegated Arboricola will perform best with bright, indirect light, although it will still thrive on minimal light. Your Arboricola is susceptible to low light levels, however, and if your plant began to get insufficient light, it will lose its variegation and will have more and more green leaves. To avoid this, it should always be placed in a well-lit window, preferably north- or east-facing, where the plant will receive sufficient, indirect filtered light. It should never be placed in full light, where long periods will cause the leaves to scorch and brown.

Temperature and Humidity

Being a tropical plant, the variegated Arboricola likes to be warm and moist, so keep its temperature between 60°F and 75°F (16°C to 24°C). Don’t put it near a cold or drafty door or window. In winter months keep the plant away from cold windows and doors.

Regarding humidity, the intermedia variegated Arboricola like it to be moderate to high. If you have a dry climate or live in a dry winter when your room may dry out, then you might want to use a humidifier or place a humidity tray by the plants. Regular misting as well would be good for maintaining proper hydration levels.

Soil and Potting

Arboricola won’t care too much for your soil, but will happily settle in a fast-draining potting mix. A standard ‘potting soil’ base for houseplants, supplemented with a handful of perlite and/or sand, will aerate the soil and help prevent waterlogged conditions; indoor plants’ bugbear is having their roots sitting in water, which causes rot.

Place your Arboricola in a pot with drainage holes so the excess water can escape. Repotting is usually required every couple years or so and when the plant has outgrown its pot. When repotting, you can loosen up the roots a bit and cut any of the roots that appear unhealthy or are too long at the ends if you want to improve its growth and prevent it from being rootbound.

Watering

Watering is crucial when it comes to these variegated Arboricola: they require their soil to be consistent in moisture but not soaking. Root rot may ensue from overwatering, whereas underwatering may lead to browning and falling of leaves.

For an Arboricola, wait until the top inch of the soil dries out before watering again, and when you do water, make it a good soaking, draining completely out of the bottom of the pot. Empty the saucer under the pot to avoid standing water, which can cause root problems. In the winter months, when the plant’s growth slows, reduce watering.

Fertilizing

It should be fed regularly while it’s growing, which is usually in the spring and summer and into early fall. A balanced, water-soluble fertiliser, with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, will give it all it needs to remain healthy and productive.

Water your Arboricola with room-temperature water and feed your plant once a month according to the directions on the feed package. Don’t use too much fertiliser because it will build up salts in the soil and could hurt the plant. You can reduce your feeding to a two-three month schedule in the winter, when Arboricola growth slows down.

Pruning and Maintenance

Your variegated Arboricola will require pruning to keep the plant in proper shape and bushy growth. Trim and cut back leggy or over long stems at the proper time for optimal growth. Also, a regular deleafing pruning will keep the Arboricola shrub looking fuller and rounder, and will create a more uniform growth appearance. You will want to strip off any yellowed or dead leaves for a neater and more attractive appearance.

Use sharp, sterilised scissors or pruning shears to cut only just above a leaf node to keep the plant controlled and ensure a second flush of growth. If the plant grows out of control, or becomes too tall, prune it back more drastically, as this will be welcomed and will quickly generate new stems below the cut.

Common Problems and Solutions

Yellowing Leaves

If the leaves of your variegated Arboricola start to yellow, it might be too wet – check your moisture levels and water less – also make sure the pot can drain properly. Consider repotting in fresh, well-draining soil if the problem continues.

Leaf Drop

Sudden temperature changes can also trigger leaf drop, as can low humidity and underwatering. Check the environment that your Arboricola is in and make any adjustments necessary. Adding humidity to increase evaporation, maintaining a constant temperature and watering appropriately could prevent leaf drop.

Pests

While the variegated Arboricola is relatively pest-free, an infestation of common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids or scale insects could impact your plant. Be sure to check your Arboricola regularly for signs of pests such as tiny webs, sticky residue or discoloured leaves.

If you notice any pests, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil, as per the instructions on the bottle; keep the plant separated from your other house plants, so the pests do not spread.

Benefits of the Variegated Arboricola Plant

Aesthetic Appeal

The variegated Arboricola is a pleasant indoor plant, a welcome splash of elegance, the multicoloured foliage providing contrast with other green plants indoors; and with practically any design style, whether modern, art déco, neo-classical, Victorian or country. Placed on a windowsill, on a tabletop, in an arrangement of potted plants, or as a single specimen, the variegated Arboricola is guaranteed to be noticed!

Air Purification

same as any houseplant, it cleans the air by drawing pollutants out and secreting oxygen Variegated Arboricola is an indoor plant that also contributes to the air we breathe. This plant actively filters out the gaseous poisons that accompany urban life such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, producing oxygen and making your home a better place to live in.

Low Maintenance

Probably the biggest positive of the stippled Arboricola is just how low maintenance it is. When compared to Cats and other houseplants, the Ar enough to look after that even someone who owns their first plants will not have any trouble with it; as long as they give it light, water and food every now and again, it will do fine even if it’s not given as much care as it’s due.

Versatility

Use it as a tabletop plant, a floor plant, or a bonsai—whatever you like. Its compact, slow-growing habit means that, whether you have a small apartment or a house with lots of light, it can take whatever space you give it. The variety of the Arboricola means that you can grow it in any way that you please. It is more than happy to develop into a scruffy, large bush. Or you can prune it into a more sculpted tree, fitting to your taste.