How to Grow Bigfoot Cleyera - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Bigfoot cleyera is an evergreen shrub that is native to Japan. It is a popular plant in gardens and landscapes due to its beautiful foliage and its ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions. Bigfoot cleyera is an easy plant to care for and is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. This plant can reach a height of 6-8 feet and a width of 4-6 feet. The leaves of this plant are dark green in color and have a leathery texture. The flowers of this plant are white or pale pink in color and they are borne in clusters. The fruit of this plant is a small drupe that is black in color.

How to Grow Bigfoot Cleyera - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • 'A'ali'i
  • 'Ahi' embryonic plant
  • 'Alani
  • 'Ala'ihi
  • 'Amami

Things to Know

  • Bigfoot cleyera is a shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
  • The leaves of this plant are large, dark green, and glossy.
  • The flowers of the Bigfoot cleyera are small, white, and fragrant.
  • This shrub is native to the southeastern United States.
  • The Bigfoot cleyera is tolerant of a wide range of soil types.
  • This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade.
  • The Bigfoot cleyera is drought tolerant.
  • This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
  • The berries of the Bigfoot cleyera are poisonous to humans.
  • This shrub can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division.

Growing Steps

  1. For bigfoot cleyera, first step is to start with good quality seeds.
  2. Once you have your seeds, plant them in well-draining soil.
  3. Water your seeds regularly, making sure the soil stays moist but not soggy.
  4. When your seeds have germinated and seedlings have grown to a few inches tall, thin them out so that only the strongest seedlings remain.
  5. Fertilize your bigfoot cleyera seedlings with a balanced fertilizer.
  6. As your seedlings grow, keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
  7. When your seedlings are big enough, transplant them into larger pots or into your garden.
  8. Once your bigfoot cleyera are transplanted, water them well and keep the soil moist.
  9. Cleyera are generally low-maintenance plants, but they will need occasional pruning to keep them looking their best.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful bigfoot cleyera plants!

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the Bigfoot cleyera prefers well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The soil should be moist but not soggy and should be able to retain moisture. The roots of the plant will rot if the soil is too wet. The Bigfoot cleyera is a hardy plant and can tolerate drier conditions, but it will not thrive.

Light condition

Similar to other cleyera, the bigfoot cleyera requires full sun to partial sun to maintain its compact, bushy shape. This plant does best in well-drained soils with a consistent moisture level. It is somewhat drought tolerant once established, but may require extra watering during extended periods of dry weather. Bigfoot cleyera can be pruned to shape as needed, although it doesn't require much pruning to look its best.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most conducive to the growth of bigfoot cleyera is one that is warm and humid. This plant does not tolerate freezing temperatures well and will die if exposed to them for extended periods of time. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-80%. If the humidity drops below 60%, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity rises above 80%, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food is hidden in the soil. The Bigfoot Cleyera has a deep and extensive root system, which is very efficient in extracting nutrients from the soil. This allows the plant to be very drought tolerant. When watering, the water should be allowed to soak in slowly so that the roots have time to absorb it.

About light

Pruning is an important part of maintaining a healthy bigfoot cleyera. Pruning helps to remove dead or dying leaves and branches, which can help to encourage new growth. It is also important to prune bigfoot cleyera to maintain a desired shape or size. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.

About Propagating

Propagation is generally done through rooting of stem cuttings taken from the parent plant. The stem cuttings should be taken from new growth that is at least 6 inches long. Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving 2-3 leaves near the top. Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not wet and provide bright, indirect light. New growth should emerge in 4-8 weeks. Once the new plants are large enough, they can be transplanted into the garden.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is slow to moderate. In optimal conditions, bigfoot cleyera can grow up to 2 feet per year. However, growth rates are often much slower, especially when the plant is young. Once the plant reaches its full size, growth rates tend to stabilize.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are root rot, caterpillars, and scale insects. Root rot is a serious disease that can kill the plant. Caterpillars can eat the leaves, and scale insects can suck the sap from the leaves.

List to Know

  • Do not forget to water your cleyera regularly. Check the soil every few days to make sure it is moist, but not soggy.
  • Fertilize your cleyera every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Prune your cleyera regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Place your cleyera in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
  • Protect your cleyera from strong winds.
  • Plant cleyera in well-drained soil.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Treat immediately if you notice any problems.
  • Harvest cleyera berries when they are ripe.
  • Store cleyera berries in the refrigerator.
  • Enjoy your cleyera plants!

Similar Plants

  • Big Foote's Bedstraw (Galium aparine)
  • Big Foote's Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
  • Big Foote's Clover (Trifolium hybridum)
  • Big Foote's Fescue (Festuca idahoensis)
  • Big Foote's Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)
  • Big Foote's Larkspur (Delphinium bicolor)
  • Big Foote's Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
  • Big Foote's Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
  • Big Foote's Penstemon (Penstemon bicolor)
  • Big Foote's Stonecrop (Sedum reflexum)

Source:
Small Evidence for Bigfoot | The Psychology of Extraordinary Beliefs
Cleyera - Tree selection - Landscape plants - Edward F. Gilman
The Science Behind Bigfoot an Interview With Dr. Jeff Meldrum

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Shrubs Category