QUESTION:
Hi, Judy,
I got this plant from a friend and neither one of us knows what it is. Can you help?
It’s about 6 in. tall and 6 in. at its widest on top. The stem is about 2.5 in. tall and .25 in. thick.
The leaves range in size from .25 to 2 in. long.
Thank you.
Kitty
ANSWER:
Hi Kitty,
Your plant is a type of Hawaiian Schefflera (Arboricola). The exact variety has two names: Hawaiian Schefflera “Trinette” or Hawaiian Schefflera “Janine.” Here’s a picture of a mature Hawaiian Schefflera “trinette” or “janine”
The brighter the light, the faster and fuller a Hawaiian Schefflera plant grows. Variegated Hawaiian Scheffleras like the Trinette require more light than solid green Hawaiian scheffleras. Direct sun burns the leaves of all types of schefflera plants.
Water well and then allow the top 1/3 of the soil to dry out before watering again. This might be an inch or two in a small pot and 5″ or more in a large pot. Green and white leaves fall off and new growth turns brown/black when a Hawaiian Schefflera is over- watered. Leaves turn bright yellow when it is under-watered.
Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer with a balanced plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Avoid feeding schefflera plants when they are not actively growing.
You can read all my care tips in the Popular Houseplant section of the website. The picture is of a slightly different variety, but the care is the same.