Clusia rosea is an evergreen tree from the Caribbean, which can grow up to 6m in the wild. Although it's fast growing, as a house plant it will reach only around 1.5m, and can be kept to a reasonable size by pruning in spring. It's a hemi-epiphyte, which means that it spends part of its life growing on another plant, but then produces aerial roots that root into the ground once they reach soil. Its common name is the autograph tree, because it's possible to write your name on the leaves, and see it there as the leaves grow. In the summer, when growing outdoors, it produces funnel-shaped, white flowers with a hint of pink, but it's unlikely to produce these as a house plant.
Ideally, Clusia rosea should be placed in a warm room, from 16-29ºC, in a place that gets bright, indirect light. The best room for it would be a steamy bathroom or kitchen as the autograph tree thrives in humidity. Alternatively, mist regularly. Water once the top couple of inches have dried out. If you notice drooping leaves, this could indicate that the plant needs more water. If the plant has had too much direct sun, it may develop brown spots on its leaves.
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Advice on buying Clusia rosea
- Clusia rosea is sometimes incorrectly sold as Clusia major
- Cultivars include Clusia rosea 'Varigata' and 'Princess', which has slightly smaller leaves than the species
- Always check plants for signs of damage or disease before buying.
Where to buy Clusia rosea
