Clethra scabra Plant Care

Clethra scabra (Clethra scabra) belongs to the Clethraceae family within the Clethra genus. Clethra scabra is native to the eastern Andes and adjacent montane woodlands and Chaco of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northwest Argentina.

Clethra scabra displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Clethra scabra produces fragrant white or pink bottlebrush-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Clethra scabra every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Clethra scabra thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Clethra scabra tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Clethra scabra prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Clethra scabra to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Clethra scabra every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Clethra scabra is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Clethra scabra can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Clethra scabra while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Clethra scabra is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Clethra scabra can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sweet pepperbush plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Clethra scabra is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Clethra scabra grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Clethra scabra is native to the eastern Andes and adjacent montane woodlands and Chaco of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northwest Argentina. In cooler regions, grow Clethra scabra as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.