One of my favorite 'beginner' houseplants by far is the Umbrella plant (umbrella tree), or the Schefflera. This lovely, low maintenance plant provides a wonderful structural appeal in the home with ...

Dear Neil: My 8-year-old schefflera is 6 feet tall. The last several months, it's started losing lower leaves. Someone told me I was keeping it too wet, so I let it dry out. Still, leaves are falling.

This tropical plant will thrive indoors as long as its water and sunlight needs are met. Its glossy leaves encircle the ...