Clusia Rosea – Autograph Tree – Live Houseplant

The Clusia Rosea, commonly known as the Autograph Tree, is a striking tropical evergreen houseplant prized for its thick, leathery, dark green leaves. Its common name comes from the unique characteristic of its foliage – you can gently scratch or write on the leaves, and the markings will remain as the leaf grows, making it a truly distinctive addition to any indoor plant collection.

This easy-care houseplant is well suited to a range of indoor environments, from bright living rooms and offices to warm conservatories. With its naturally bushy, upright growth habit and glossy foliage, the Autograph Tree brings a lush, tropical feel to your home without demanding excessive attention.

Supplied in a 17cm pot, this plant is well established and ready to enjoy in your chosen spot straight away.

Key Features

• Thick, leathery leaves that you can write on – a wonderful talking point


• Easy-care tropical houseplant suitable for beginners and experienced growers alike


• Naturally bushy and upright growth habit


• Excellent air-purifying qualities


• Supplied as a single, established plant in a 17cm pot

Care Guide

• Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Tolerates some lower light conditions but avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which may scorch the leaves.


• Watering: Allow the top few centimetres of soil to dry out between waterings. Water thoroughly and allow excess to drain. Reduce watering in winter.


• Temperature: Prefers warmth between 15–30°C. Avoid cold draughts and temperatures below 10°C.


• Humidity: Enjoys moderate to high humidity. Misting the leaves occasionally or placing on a pebble tray can be beneficial, especially in centrally heated rooms.


• Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). No feeding is required in autumn and winter.


• Repotting: Repot every 1–2 years in spring, moving up one pot size using a well-draining houseplant compost.

Cultural Information

• Botanical Name: Clusia rosea


• Common Names: Autograph Tree, Signature Tree, Copey, Pitch Apple, Balsam Apple


• Classification: Evergreen tropical shrub


• Fully Grown Height and Spread (Indoors): Up to 1–3m × 0.5–1.5m (dependent on container size and conditions)


• Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy Evergreen with Dense Foliage


• Perfect For: Living Rooms, Offices, Conservatories, Bright Bathrooms, Indoor Containers


• Flowering Time: Summer (white to pink flowers, though rarely produced indoors)


• Planting Position: Bright Indirect Light to Partial Shade


• Type: Tender Evergreen Tropical Houseplant


• Foliage: Thick, Leathery, Dark Green Oval Leaves


• Origin: Tropical Americas and the Caribbean