Intermediate
skill rating
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Clusia rosea (Autograph tree)
1 hour care
per year
per year
6m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Clusia rosea
Other names
Autograph tree, Balsam apple, Balsam fig, Copey, Fat pork tree, Pitch apple , Scotch attorney, Star of night, Clusia major
Genus
Clusia Clusia
Species
C. rosea - C. rosea is a tender, spreading, semi-epiphytic shrub or tree with obovate, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of funnel-shaped, often pink-flushed, creamy-white flowers in summer. Flowers are followed by spherical, fleshy, poisonous, sometimes red-flushed, light green fruit, splitting to reveal bright red seeds.
Clusia rosea is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Flower
White, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Tolerates restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at 19-24C in spring. Air layer in spring or summer.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Clusia rosea (Autograph tree) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Specimen tree, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in bright, filtered light & high humidity. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Top dress or pot on in spring. In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Considered an invasive species in Hawaii, Sri Lanka, and other tropical countries where introduced. Outside of cultivation, usually begins life as an epiphyte, often with seeds germinating in the fort of a tree.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Clusia rosea
Other names
Autograph tree, Balsam apple, Balsam fig, Copey, Fat pork tree, Pitch apple , Scotch attorney, Star of night, Clusia major
Genus
Clusia Clusia
Species
C. rosea - C. rosea is a tender, spreading, semi-epiphytic shrub or tree with obovate, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of funnel-shaped, often pink-flushed, creamy-white flowers in summer. Flowers are followed by spherical, fleshy, poisonous, sometimes red-flushed, light green fruit, splitting to reveal bright red seeds.
Native to
Caribbean, Central America, Northern South America, Southeastern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
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Colour
Flower
White, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Tolerates restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at 19-24C in spring. Air layer in spring or summer.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Clusia rosea (Autograph tree) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Specimen tree, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in bright, filtered light & high humidity. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Top dress or pot on in spring. In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Considered an invasive species in Hawaii, Sri Lanka, and other tropical countries where introduced. Outside of cultivation, usually begins life as an epiphyte, often with seeds germinating in the fort of a tree.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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