Schefflera, commonly called umbrella plants or trees, make excellent tropical houseplants. The bigger Schefflera actinophylla has long, shiny, oval-shaped green leaves that hang down gracefully from a central stalk, making it look like an umbrella.
These plants produce flowers, but plants grown indoors rarely develop flowers. Schefflera does best with filtered light that comes from the side. It also needs rich, loamy, well-draining soil and temperatures that stay above 60°F.
All parts of the schefflera plant are mildly toxic to humans and seriously toxic to dogs and cats.
As a new plant parent, learning to identify different houseplants can feel overwhelming at first. One easy way to start narrowing things down is by looking at the number of leaves on each plant. Many popular houseplants actually have 6 leaves per stem! In this beginner’s guide, we’ll highlight some of the most common 6-leaved houseplants and tips for recognizing them.
Why Do Some Houseplants Have 6 Leaves?
First, let’s look at why certain houseplants consistently have 6 leaves. It comes down to how the leaves are arranged on the stem, known as phyllotaxy in botany.
There are a few main phyllotaxy patterns:
- Alternate – Leaves emerge one at a time on alternating sides of the stem
- Opposite – Leaves emerge in pairs opposite each other on the stem
- Whorled – Three or more leaves emerge from the same point on the stem
Plants with 6 leaves per stem follow whorled phyllotaxy. Their leaves radiate out from the stem in circles of 3 leaves each. This arrangement results in 6 leaves total at every node on the stem.
Now let’s look at some common examples of popular houseplants with 6 leaves.
Schefflera (Umbrella Plant)
The schefflera, also called umbrella plant, is one of the most popular 6-leaved houseplants. There are over 600 species in this genus, but two common ones are:
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Schefflera actinophylla – The classic umbrella plant with large, glossy green palmate leaves.
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Schefflera arboricola – A smaller, more compact variety, sometimes with variegated leaves.
On both types, the leaves radiate out from the stem in a circle of 6, resembling the spokes of an umbrella. This gives them a full, bushy appearance perfect for decorating tables and shelves.
Scheffleras are relatively easy care plants that thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Just be sure not to overwater them, as soggy soil leads to dropped leaves and decline.
Calathea (Prayer Plant)
Calathea plants are nicknamed prayer plants, but they are not to be confused with true prayer plants from the Maranta genus. There are dozens of Calathea species and cultivars available, most originating from the tropical Americas.
These plants are prized for their ornate, patterned foliage in green, pink, white, silver, and purple hues. The leaves emerge in whorls of 3 pairs for a total of 6 per stem. Popular varieties include:
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Calathea orbifolia – Large round leaves with silvery green stripes
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Calathea makoyana – Peacock plant with vivid feather-shaped patterns
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Calathea ornata – Pinstripe plant with thin pink stripes on leaves
Calatheas demand warm, humid conditions with indirect sunlight to thrive as houseplants. Their colorful 6-leaved foliage makes them favorites of many plant collectors.
Maranta (Prayer Plant)
True prayer plants belong to the Maranta genus, not Calathea. There are several species, but the most common by far is Maranta leuconeura.
This plant displays 6 vividly patterned green leaves in whorled phyllotaxy. The foliage features red veins against a dark green background. At night, the leaves close upwards in prayer-like fashion, giving rise to its nickname.
For optimal growth, provide prayer plants with indirect sunlight, high humidity, and temperatures between 60-80°F. The soil should be kept evenly moist.
Diffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Diffenbachia is a genus of tropical foliage plants related to philodendrons and pothos. It contains around 30 species, many of which have 6 leaves per node. Two popular examples are:
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Diffenbachia seguine – Also called dumb cane, it has glossy, pointed leaves with white midveins.
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Diffenbachia amoena – Similar large oval leaves in dark green to yellowish hues.
These plants thrive in bright, indirect light with routine watering and average room humidity. Just beware the sap can cause skin irritation. Pruning and training into tree shapes is common.
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
Aglaonema, or Chinese evergreen, is an easy-care foliage plant perfect for beginners. There are 21 known Aglaonema species with a wide variety of leaf shapes, colors, and patterns.
Popular types like Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ and Aglaonema ‘Emerald Beauty’ showcase 6 oval-shaped leaves in shades of silver, green, and cream. The plants prefer bright indirect light and will tolerate dry air better than many tropicals.
Identifying 6-Leaved Houseplants
When trying to identify an unknown houseplant with 6 leaves, consider these tips:
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Look for the telltale leaf arrangements in circles of 3 leaf pairs.
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Check underneath the leaves – are they a different color than on top? This can help narrow down the genus.
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Note the leaf shapes and sizes, which vary among scheffleras, calatheas, prayer plants, and other 6-leaf plants.
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Refer to reference guides or use a plant identification app to match your plant’s physical features.
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Read the botanical name on the plant tag or description for positive ID.
With practice, you’ll start to recognize the distinguishing features of these common 6-leaved houseplants. Understanding phyllotaxy patterns makes identifying unfamiliar plants much easier.
Caring for 6-Leaved Houseplants
While care varies slightly between the different genera, most houseplants with 6 leaves appreciate:
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Bright, indirect sunlight to partial shade
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Warm temperatures between 60-80°F
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Moderate to high humidity around 40-60%
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Quick-draining, peaty potting mix
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Watering when soil dries out 1-2 inches deep
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Occasional fertilizing during the growing season
Refer to individual plant care guides for specifics. And always match your care routine to your plant’s needs!
Enjoying the Beauty of 6-Leaved Plants
One of the joys of being a plant parent is learning to identify different species by their unique traits. Paying attention to details like leaf arrangements and counts is an easy way to start recognizing common houseplants, especially those with 6 leaves.
Many 6-leaved favorites like scheffleras, calatheas, prayer plants, and Chinese evergreens share similar warm, humid growing conditions. Their whorled foliage patterns give them full, bushy forms that work beautifully as houseplants or tropical landscape plants.
No matter which types you choose, adding a few 6-leaved charmers to your plant collection is sure to increase the beauty in your home. Have fun exploring the diverse options!
Overwintering
Schefflera pants do well in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, but plant them inside for the winter if you live in a cooler area. They can be taken outdoors for the warmer months in climates appropriate for tropical plants.
Propagating Schefflera
Schefflera plants should be propagated in the spring. This keeps the current plant from getting too bushy and gives you new plants. Schefflera can be propagated by cuttings.
- Cut off a 6-inch piece of stem at a 45-degree angle with sharp pruners. Then, take off all but four or five leaves at the top of the stem.
- It is best to dip the cut end in rooting hormone and then put it in a pot with potting soil.
- Place the pot in bright, indirect light and cover it with a plastic bag that is only loosely attached. This will keep the moisture in the pot.
- Every day, check the pot to make sure the soil stays moist and water it if it needs it. Check for root development by lightly tugging on the stem.
- If roots have grown after about a month, you can take off the plastic bag and keep growing the new plant. If roots don’t grow (this can happen sometimes), throw away the cutting and try again with a different cutting.
- It is best to plant a new plant outside in a warm climate garden in the spring or fall, when the sun and temperatures are not too high.
6 Indoor Plants that can grow from leaves
FAQ
Is Schefflera a good indoor plant?
What house plant has seven leaves?
What are the benefits of Schefflera plants?
What houseplants have large leaves?
Beautiful houseplants with large leaves include: Philodendron bipinnatifidum. There are many distinct types of houseplants, and each one makes a striking statement. – Here is a guide to some houseplants that sport massive leaves and the care they need. 1. Monstera deliciosa – Swiss Cheese Plant
Which indoor plants have big leaves?
Calathea orbifolia is not as popular as the houseplants above, but it surely deserves to be in this list of tall indoor plants with big leaves. Its oval foliage is as large fiddle leaf fig and has beautiful stripes of silver and green color. It thrives well in day-long indirect sunlight and warm temperatures. 12. Leopard Plant
What are big leaf houseplants?
Big leaf houseplants are amazing and just one of the plants from the following list has the ability to transform any living area into an indoor tropical oasis.
What is an example of a large leaf houseplant?
Some examples of large leaf houseplants are monstera deliciosa, giant bird of paradise, dumbcane, fiddle leaf fig, fatsia, rubber tree, elephant ear, pothos, rattlesnake plant, croton, philodendron gloriosum, caladium, ruffled fan palm, whale fin snake plant, anthurium, and tree philodendron.