Heptapleurum (Schefflera) arboricola 'Charlotte'

Cultivar background and species history

In Hainan and Taiwan, Heptapleurum arboricola forms part of wet tropical forest, often beside streams below about 900 m. Its stems can root against trees or climb through surrounding vegetation, giving the species a more flexible natural habit than a freestanding shrub.

The species was formerly known as Schefflera arboricola and returned to Heptapleurum in 2020. ‘Charlotte’ is a cream-and-green cultivated selection of this forest climber, usually maintained in a compact, freely branching form.

Light, moisture and root care

Care: Preserving the cultivar depends on keeping its patterned shoots. Remove a vigorous all-green branch back to cream-and-green growth before it dominates the crown.

Light: Give the pale leaflets abundant filtered light. The cream areas scorch sooner than green tissue after a sudden move into hot sun, so increase direct exposure gradually.

Roots and substrate: Once the upper part of a loose houseplant mix has dried, water thoroughly and let the pot drain. Feed lightly during active growth and repot after roots have spread through most of the container.

When this plant has problems

Uniform green growth confined to one vigorous ‘Charlotte’ shoot is reversion; remove that shoot at its origin. If the whole plant simply becomes less contrasting in shade, increase filtered light gradually. Low-light colour change is distributed across many leaves rather than confined to one branch.

Cream margins brown before green tissue after sudden sun, drought, salts or cold. Use the position and texture of the damage to identify the cause. Wilt above wet mix points to damaged roots, not thirst; improve drainage and extend the interval before the next watering. Repeated severe drying instead produces crisp margins and lower-leaf loss, so a light dry root ball should be soaked evenly.

Mites, scale, mealybugs and thrips can hide among the clustered leaflets. Stippling, silver scars, cottony wax, fixed bumps or sticky residue are pest signs rather than variegation. Keep the plant separate during treatment and do not propagate an affected shoot.

Heptapleurum (Schefflera) arboricola ‘Charlotte’ 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.

About the names Schefflera arboricola and Heptapleurum arboricola

Heptapleurum combines Greek hepta, meaning seven, with pleuron, meaning rib or side. The epithet arboricola means tree-dweller.

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

Bunzō Hayata first described Heptapleurum arboricola in 1916 in Icones Plantarum Formosanarum, volume 6, page 23.

Schefflera arboricola 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 arboricola.