Hi, I inherited some plants recently and this umbrella plant came along, it is pretty happy but a bit lopsided. Wondering what someone might do to fix this a bit?

Hi & welcome! If you like it how it is, nothing is necessary.

If you want a more upright, symmetrical plant, you could trim the stems where they stray from the boundaries that you imagine this plant observing. You can stick the removed pieces into the same pot to help add more mass to the other side (assuming they take root) or into another pot. Remove enough leaves from the bottom (cut end) of the removed pieces so that there is at least 6" of leafless stem to stick into the soil.

The reason this plant is so sideways is because it was in a single position for a long time, growing to fit the site and available light. It's difficult to maintain round-ness and symmetry for indoor plants, but if you want to aim in that direction, turn your plant every week or two, so it doesn't develop a lean toward the light.

Agree with Tiffany. In spite of the tilt, it looks like a happy, healthy plant. I would let it acclimate to its new home for several months before trimming. Place it so it leans away from its primary light source...that won't balance it out but it will prevent the tilt from getting worse. You also could try staking that main, leaning stem upright more aggressively and straighten it a bit more every couple of weeks. I can see why you might want to correct the lopsidedness, but it's actually quite graceful and attractive as is. Sometime in the future (not soon, let it settle in) it deserves a more attractive, possibly shallower, pot that accentuates its structure.

Both are great responses.

I like the wonky look, gives it character.

I love it as it looks too

But do as suggested about staking the plant. Just so it will not topple over and quarter turns as already suggested too.

Btw, do not feel bad at how your schefflera looks like..it is eons better looking than my plant nowadays



Mine is overdue for a good pruning..since it is already like ready to run away from its container
and this is a plant already being grown outside. A case of too much shade from the shadow of our house and shadow from the trees once they are awake..then getting pan fried in the afternoon when there is intense afternoon sun

So in many ways, your plant is awesome to my eyes.

Thanks everyone. I think I will just stick to rotation for now, maybe some staking, and then see where we are at in the Spring before deciding to prune anything. And maybe dhop around fir a nicer pot. There is nice morning sunlight that comes through this window.

What has this plant been up to lately? The other inherited plants?