Can You Identify This Plant For Me

Is this a variegated schefflera?
It is in a pot by window doing okay, but not wanting to support itself. Any time there a dead leaves they smell like maple syrup to me. Would like to plant outside, but like I said, looks like “trunk” is weak. Doesnt appear to grow toward or away from sun. Can it survive outside? Where and how to plant? I live in lake charles louisiana 70605

Hi Derek,

Your plant is a variegated Balfour Aralia not a schefflera. Balfour Aralia plants like temperatures between 65-80 degrees. Temperatures below 55 degrees will harm the leaves. If I were you I would leave it in its pot and keep it outside on your porch in an area that gets bright indirect light but no direct sun. Keep the plant in a small pot so the soil dries out quickly and the plant doesn’t develop root-rot. Prune the tips of an Aralia to keep the plant full and bushy. These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants.

You can read all my care tips for a Balfour Aralia in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.

https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/balfour-aralia-how-to-grow-care