A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Defying The Odds-pic

Late last summer, I received two small Schefflera cuttings, one variegated, one not, from a neighbor. When I think of Scheffleras, I generally think of a houseplant. I stuck cuttings in water and in no time had roots. I then planted in pot and kept outside. We have had several freezes early this year as well as very cool weather. I'm in awe my Scheff has withstood this weather as I've kept it outside. It is on the end of a covered patio Defying The Odds.

Take a look.



I'm not sure if this is a dwarf schefflera or not.

Any plants Defying the Odds in your area? Feel free to post. I'd love to hear about them!

Very pretty, I have one but it's not variagated.

I had one --it was about 6 to 7 feet tall, when I got rid of 25 + year old plant. It was a wedding gift from one of Rod's old neighbors. It didn't make the 'cut' when we moved---

That is gorgeous.. I would love one/some.. Where can I find the variegated kind?

Thanks Tamara,

Awwhh, sorry Junie.

Hey Pink!
Thanks, I saw a variegated scheff this past weekend at the Target in Daphne, Alabama. I was surprised.

Okay yall, does anyone want to discuss ANY plant they have growing that is Defying The Odds? Would love to hear about it?

...any plant that grows in my 'too warm' house is defying the odds

Tamara, have you melted down any?

Yup, a foot or two.

oh that's right Tamara, you have that cold weather there. So sorry. Any hint of growth your way Tamara?

Others who have plants "Defying The Odds" in their garden or inhouse pushing plant zone limits are what have you?

I just can not imagine that much snow. I'd be climbing the walls.

how much summer do you get, how many months?

I think we are up a zone, our weather is staying warmer longer

Well snow usually starts in October and runs until April or May. We got our last snow storm on May 22nd last year, and we had a frost on July 5th. We don't have much of a gardening season....

No hint of growth here, everything is under 16 feet of snow with more to come.

Awwww tamara are you still in the winter season....what happens to all the water once that snow starts to melt. We'd have a major problem here in my area.

floweringchild that plant is just gorgeous....I finally got a variegated one too. I bought one last year from Home Depot and it slowly died off on me. Then a friend set me a few clippings from hers and they rooted so well and are up and growing.

Hi Rosepetal, good to see you here. And thanks. I started mine from a cutting and yes, they do well and grow quick from cuttings. I was surprised! What really surpised me was that I kept the scheff outside all winter long and cold weather did not affect it at all. I'm thankful for that.

I'm in an apartment that has only south facing windows (no sun) and use fluorecent plant lights...So I guess all of mine are doing better than I thought....Maybe not defying the odds, but at least givin' 'em a run for their money...

I rcvd a varigated schif about 4 years ago. I've brought it in every winter except this past one. I bumped it up to a huge pot last spring and when me and my son tried to bring it in the house for winter the roots were out of the pot and deep in the ground. Tossed around the idea of building a small greenhouse around where it was, but that first freeze snuk right up. I covered it well for each freeze. Some branches lost all their leaves, but new ones are coming back. Im so happy my schif made it! Now, I gotta figure out where to plant it in a permanet spot. Somewhere with shade in the hot afternoons, but not a lot of roots to dig through. Guess those Shcif's are tougher than we all thought!

that makes me think i might could plant mine outside permanent like... i might have to do that!

Chris, good you have those flourescent lights on them.

Cricket, glad you didn't loose your schef totally. Hope you find just the right spot.

Hi Jiff, hope you too find the right spot. Maybe just keep it in a pot and move it around til you do.

I saw a very large scheff in the area planted in someone's garden. It was well established too.