Autograph Tree
Clusia rosea
A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree featuring thick, leathery, dark green paddle-shaped leaves that can retain markings when scratched.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of bright light daily
- Water
- Moderate drought tolerance once established; water when the soil feels dry to the touch, avoiding waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 20 to 30 feet tall in natural habitats, though often kept much smaller as a container or hedge plant with a moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide bright indirect to direct sunlight, water thoroughly when the top two inches of soil are dry, and use well-draining soil with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of bright light daily
Watering
Moderate drought tolerance once established; water when the soil feels dry to the touch, avoiding waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot
Soil
Well-draining sandy, loamy, or potting mix soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.5
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 10 through 12, sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 20 to 30 feet tall in natural habitats, though often kept much smaller as a container or hedge plant with a moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Summer; produces solitary, pale pink or white flowers with thick petals, followed by round, green capsules
Propagation
Propagated easily through stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, or by air layering
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, and root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soil
Similar species
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica), which can be distinguished by its pointed leaf tips and milky latex sap rather than the rounded paddle-shaped leaves of the Autograph Tree