La Polyscias skullcap It is an indoor plant highly appreciated for its beauty and because it is easy to care for. Also known as umbrella bush, or simply Polyscia, it is a good alternative for those people who do not seem to have a good hand with plants, because it is very resistant.
It stands out for having dense foliage and can grow quite large if it receives the proper care. If you like its look and are considering the possibility of adding it to your collection, pay attention to everything we are going to tell you about it.
Characteristics of Polyscias scutellaria
The umbrella bush is originally from Madagascar, and that is why it gives good results as an indoor plant, because it likes to be in warm places. It is a variety that is easy to recognize because it does not look too much like the classic plants that we usually have in our homes.
Below, you can see some of its most outstanding features:
- Lush foliage. Its most distinctive feature is that it has many leaves composed of several leaflets organized around a long central stem. It is this particular way of growing its leaves that makes its foliage remind us to some extent of an open umbrella, hence its nickname.
- Colors. There are different varieties of this plant, although the most common is the one with entirely dark green leaves, other varieties have lighter tones, and there are also some that have white or yellow mottled leaves.
- Compact shape. The Polyscia is a plant that tends to grow tall, but in a compact and rounded way. This makes it a good option to decorate all kinds of corners. To maintain its compact shape and stimulate denser growth, it is necessary to carry out pruning.
- Adaptability. It is a species that adapts well to living in closed environments and contributes to improving air quality, because it absorbs toxins and releases oxygen.
Polyscias scutellaria care
Indoor plants are always a little more delicate than outdoor ones. In return, if we can get them to adapt, they will turn our house into a real home, a comfortable place where we will feel more comfortable.
The Polyscias is not a very demanding plant in terms of its care, but we must try to give it what it needs, or it will no longer be as beautiful as it should.
Luz
This plant likes light, but not in a direct and intense way, so try not to put it right next to a window or you could start to observe that its leaves are withering.
It also holds up well in medium light conditions, something to keep in mind if your home or office isn't too bright. But in this case, its growth will be somewhat slower, although it will not lose part of its beauty for this reason.
Irrigation
Irrigation is one of the most important issues for the maintenance of indoor plants. As regards this variety, water only when you see that the soil is dry to the touch. There is no specific periodicity, it will depend on the time of year we are in and the environmental conditions. But, in general, in winter it is usually enough to water once a week or every ten days, while in summer it may be necessary to do it twice a week.
In any case, what we are going to do is not flood the plant when we water it. It is enough to add a little moisture to your substrate so that it better absorbs nutrients.
Humidity
Since all plants that have a tropical origin, the Polyscias skullcap appreciates having a little humidity in the environment. If you live in a dry place, you can improve your condition spraying its leaves from time to time with a little water, or placing a plate or jar with water nearby.
Temperature
As far as possible, ensure that the umbrella bush is in a place where the temperature is maintained between 18º and 24º C. Also, do not put it in a place where it can receive cold drafts.
The best is that not directly in front of a window or a door, this will prevent you from having to go through sudden temperature changes and thus you will not receive currents.
Substrate for Polyscias scutellaria
Any good quality substrate is fine, but try to add a little sand or perlite to improve its aeration and drainage capacity. And do not forget to place a plate under the pot that is responsible for collecting the excess water after each watering.
Fertilization
This plant grows more during the spring and summer, which is the right time for you to provide extra nutrients through a suitable fertilizer for indoor plants. In autumn and winter its growth is much slower and less noticeable, so you can reduce fertilization to a minimum.
Pruning
As we have pointed out before, this plant has quite dense foliage. If you want it to keep a nice compact shape, Prune the branches slightly so that they gain density and not length. In any case, remove any branches and leaves that you see are dead. This way you make the Polyscia look prettier and also stimulate its growth.
Transplant
If your plant is already bigger than its pot, it's time for a transplant. Task you should tackle better during spring.
It is not necessary to make a radical change in size, it is enough that the new pot is slightly larger than the old one. What is important is to use a quality substrate, water and add fertilizer when making the change, and check that the new pot drains properly.
Rotation
So that the plant is equally beautiful on all sides, try to turn it from time to time so that it receives the same amount of light.
Polyscias scutellaria is a beautiful plant that will breathe new life into any space in your home or office. But keep in mind that each plant is unique, so watch it, because it will tell you what it needs at all times. Did you know this variety?