Heptapleurum arboricola 'Gerda'

Origin and natural habitat

The species Heptapleurum arboricola comes from Taiwan and Hainan. It grows in warm, humid forest, including stream-side sites below about 900 m. The natural habitat provides filtered light, regular rain and good drainage around the roots.

How to care for ‘Gerda’

Bright indirect light helps ‘Gerda’ stay compact and keeps the yellow markings clear. It can cope with some shade, but if the stems start stretching or the newest leaves are much greener, move it closer to a bright window over a few days.

Allow the potting mix to dry a little between waterings. The weight of the pot is a useful clue: once it feels noticeably lighter and the mix deeper down is no longer wet, it is usually ready for water. Try to avoid both repeated wilting and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days.

Use a loose, well-draining mix that still holds enough moisture for the roots. ‘Gerda’ does best with some humidity in the air, so keep it away from direct heat. A warm room is ideal, but avoid chilly windows and cold draughts.

Feed through periods of steady growth and use the rate given on the fertiliser label. Little pruning is needed; shorten a stem only if it is getting too tall or spoiling the shape. Give it a fresh pot when the roots are tightly packed or the old mix has become difficult to wet and drain evenly.

Common problems with ‘Gerda’

• Several leaves yellow or start to droop: Check the moisture in the pot before adding more water. A wet, heavy pot needs more drying time; a dry, light one needs a thorough watering. If neither fits, think about a cold draught or a recent move. The yellow-leaves guide covers the other common causes.
• Leaf tips become dry and brown: This often follows repeated drying out or hot air from heating. Keep the watering more even and move the plant away from radiators. The damaged tips will not turn green again, but new leaves should improve once the cause is corrected.
• Tiny pale speckles spread across the leaves: Look closely underneath for spider mites and fine webbing. Keep it separate from nearby plants, clean both sides of the leaves and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on houseplants if you find them. Use any repeat treatment at the interval given on the label.
• The plant becomes open and starts leaning towards the window: It needs more usable light. Move it gradually closer to a bright window and turn the pot from time to time. Wait until the light problem is fixed before cutting back stretched stems.

Heptapleurum (Schefflera) arboricola ‘Gerda’ 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.