Umbrella Tree - Schefflera actinophylla 'Amate' - 10L / 25cm / Large
$65.00Unavailable for Auckland delivery.
Schefflera amate is a lush, tree-like indoor plant known for its large, glossy, umbrella-shaped leaves and fast, upright growth. A more refined cultivar of Schefflera actinophylla, 'Amate' features broader leaflets with a smooth, lacquered finish and richer green colour than older varieties. It brings strong vertical structure to interiors and can grow to 2–3 metres tall indoors over time, making it a favourite for statement corners, high-ceilinged rooms or bright foyers.
Native to Australia and New Guinea, this cultivar is both resilient and elegant—tolerant of varying indoor light and more resistant to pests than many other large houseplants. It’s also prized for its air-purifying qualities and tidy, self-supporting form.
Toxic if ingested. Irritating sap.
Comprehensive Care Instructions for Schefflera amate
Lighting Requirements
Indoors: Thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates medium light. Can handle some morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid harsh midday sun which may scorch leaves.
Outdoors (in warm zones): Grows well in dappled shade or filtered sun. Shelter from wind and frost.
Watering Regimen
Growing Season (Spring to Early Autumn):
Water when the top 3–5cm of soil is dry. Ensure the pot drains well and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Cooler Months:
Reduce watering frequency. Allow soil to dry a little deeper between waterings.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal range is 18°C–28°C. Protect from cold drafts and avoid temperatures below 10°C.
Tolerates average indoor humidity but thrives with moderate humidity. Mist occasionally or place near other plants for shared moisture.
Fertilizing
Feed every 4–6 weeks during active growth with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Do not fertilise during winter dormancy.
Pruning & Maintenance
Trim leggy stems or unwanted height to maintain shape and encourage bushiness.
Wipe leaves regularly to remove dust and maintain their glossy finish.
Repotting
Repot every 2–3 years or when rootbound. Choose a free-draining potting mix and a tall, stable container to support upward growth.
Pests & Troubleshooting
Occasionally affected by scale, spider mites or mealybugs—especially in dry or low-light conditions.
Sudden leaf drop may result from overwatering, underwatering or abrupt environmental changes. Always adjust gradually.
Important Note: Impressive Scale, Low Fuss
With its glossy foliage and easy-going nature, Schefflera amate is a go-to choice for creating indoor impact without high maintenance—perfect for both home and commercial interiors.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
