Clusia rosea 'Princess' - Autograph Tree

Sign your name on this Autograph Tree and it'll stay there as long as the leaf survives - any graffiti here is a permanent tattoo, and that's where the common name comes from. It doesn't grow too quickly, but will give you a bold, structural shape and lush foliage amongst its upright-growing stems. It grows natively in coastal tropical areas, and has adapted well to growing as a houseplant, too. Bring this low-fuss, low-maintenance beauty into your home and enjoy its bold greenery - with or without added etchings.

Scientific Name
Clusia rosea (Clusius' rose-like plant)

Synonyms: Firkea rosea, Clusia retusa, Clusia silvicola, Elwertia retusa

Although other names have been published for this plant, it has officially remained Clusia rosea since its first publication in 1760.

Common Name(s)
Autograph Tree, Pitch Apple, Copey, Balsam Apple, Scotch Attorney, Balsam Fig, Star of Night

Origin
Found originally in the tropical Americas, this plant is native to the USA (Florida), Southern Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, and across the Caribbean.

Light
Your Autograph tree will prefer its light bright but indirect as a rule, and definitely make sure it's sheltered from harsh midday sun in the spring and summer.A splash of sun in autumn and winter can help it through the darker periods of the year.

Water
Make sure the top third of the soil dries out between waters. Too much can cause waterlogging and damage your plant - Clusia are sensitive to overly wet roots, but will want some moisture in the soil consistently. 

Humidity
Average humidity should be perfectly fine for your Autograph Tree. Make sure to keep it out of dry draughts and away from operating heat sources.

Soil
Make sure your potting mix has moisture retentive elements as well as good drainage. Elements like sand and perlite alongside bark and coir will provide a good mix; look for mixes designed for Ficus plants which work well here. Clusia can benefit from being slightly potbound, and their sensitive roots are easily shocked, so only repot when absolutely necessary (every two years at its most frequent), once the roots are crowding the pot.

Food
Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter.

Temp
Prefers temperatures between 18-32°C. Avoid temperatures below 12°C and keep away from cold draughts.

Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.

Sprouts Top Tips
If your Autograph Tree's soil isn't drying out quickly enough, you can help it by gently poking the soil with a chopstick and leaving the holes open for a few days. Sure signs of this include mould growing on the soil, and it is more likely to happen in a shadier spot. For a bushier growth habit, prune lightly in the growing season to encourage branching. Clean the leaves occasionally to maintain their glossy appearance and let light through any dust that gathers.