Heptapleurum actinophyllum

RHS Plant Profile

Queensland umbrella tree

Mike L. Grant 1997

Other common names

Australian ivy palm, octopus tree

Synonyms

Schefflera actinophylla
Brassaia actinophylla

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs Trees Houseplants

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An evergreen shrub or small tree to 4m or more, with leathery leaves composed of 5 or more radiating oblong leaflets to 30cm in length; erect panicles of small dull red flowers, followed by black fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: A genus of over 300 different species of evergreen, tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs originally from Asia. Characteristic leaves are round, palmately compound, with long stalks and 3-30 stalked leaflets. Some species are familiar as houseplants
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Australia & New Guinea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or in a sheltered, frost-free enviroment. Leaves of juvenile plants have fewer smaller leaflets than adult plants

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to soft scale, thrips and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free