About
Clusia rosea is a semi-epiphytic tropical shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 3 meters, although it typically remains smaller when cultivated indoors. This plant features robust stems and large, shiny leaves. Mature specimens produce funnel-shaped flowers in white or pink during the summer, though flowering is rare in potted varieties.
About the genus
This genus comprises approximately 300 to 400 species, including evergreen shrubs, vines, and trees characterized by their thick, leathery leaves that can be glossy or succulent-like. The funnel-shaped flowers found in certain species can range in color from white to yellow, pink, or red, though they typically flourish in warmer and more humid environments.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- Trop. & Subtrop. Am.
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and grit, in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water freely in summer and keep barely moist in winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser weekly when in growth up to flower bud formation. Do not repot regularly as these plants resent root disturbance and need a restricted root run to encourage flowering
- Pruning
- See pruning group 1; pruning will encourage branching and bushiness
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings with bottom heat in summer, or by air layering in spring or summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free