Heptapleurum actinophyllum 'Amate'

Origin and natural habitat

Wild Heptapleurum actinophyllum is native from southern New Guinea to northern Australia. It grows in warm, humid tropical forest, including wet lowland areas. It can also grow on trees, where the roots receive regular moisture along with plenty of air rather than sitting in dense, waterlogged soil.

How to care for ‘Amate’

Give ‘Amate’ bright indirect light for the strongest growth. It can cope with a less bright position and still stay fairly compact, but it will grow more slowly. If you want to give it some direct sun, introduce it gradually so the large leaves do not scorch.

Check the potting mix before watering rather than following a fixed schedule. Water when it has dried partway through and the pot feels noticeably lighter. Do not leave the pot constantly wet, but try not to let the whole pot dry out so far that the plant wilts again and again.

Use a loose, well-draining potting mix that still holds some moisture. ‘Amate’ appreciates humid air, especially once it becomes a large plant, so keep it away from radiators and other hot, drying airflow. If your home is very dry, a humidifier can help. Choose a warm position and avoid cold air from open windows or doors.

Feed while it is putting out new leaves, following the rate on your houseplant fertiliser. When the plant slows down, feed less. Move it to a larger pot only when the roots are crowded, the mix no longer drains well or the plant has become top-heavy. A tall stem can be supported if needed. To reduce the height or encourage branching, cut a healthy stem just above a leaf joint.

Common problems with ‘Amate’

• Several leaves turn yellow or the plant starts to droop: Check the potting mix first. If the pot is still wet and heavy, give it more time to dry; if it is dry and light, water thoroughly. Soft, dark roots point to rot, in which case the root-rot guide explains what to check next.
• Leaves fall soon after the plant is moved: A sudden change in light or temperature, especially a cold draught, can cause leaf drop. Keep the plant in one warm, bright place and judge its recovery by the new growth rather than the leaves it has already lost.
• Sticky leaves, brown bumps or white cottony patches appear: Look closely at the stems and leaf stalks for scale or mealybugs. Keep the plant separate from the rest of your collection while you treat it, remove visible pests and use a houseplant treatment labelled for the pest you find. Repeat it as often as the label directs. The scale guide can help with identification.
• New growth becomes long and widely spaced: The plant probably needs more light. Move it gradually closer to a bright window. Once the new growth is stronger, you can shorten a stretched stem if you want the plant to branch lower down.

Heptapleurum (Schefflera) actinophyllum ‘Amate’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How did the name change from Schefflera actinophylla to Heptapleurum actinophyllum?

Heptapleurum combines Greek hepta, meaning seven, with pleuron, meaning rib or side. The epithet actinophyllum means ray-leaved.

Joseph Gaertner established the genus Heptapleurum in 1791 in De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, volume 2, page 472.

Stephan Friedrich Ladislaus Endlicher first described it as Brassaia actinophylla in 1839 in Novarum Stirpium Decades, volume 1, page 89. Porter Prescott Lowry and Gregory M. Plunkett later placed it in Heptapleurum as Heptapleurum actinophyllum in 2020 in Novon, volume 28, page 146.

Schefflera actinophylla is the familiar former name. Porter P. Lowry II and Gregory M. Plunkett reinstated Heptapleurum for the Asian group formerly included in Schefflera in 2020 in Novon, volume 28. Kew’s World Checklist accepts Heptapleurum actinophyllum.