Sakaki Plant Care

Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) belongs to the Pentaphylacaceae family within the Cleyera genus. Sakaki is native to warm areas of Japan, Taiwan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and northern India. Sakaki is also known as Japanese Clethra.

Sakaki displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sakaki produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sakaki every 7–14 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.

Sakaki thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Cleyera japonica tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Sakaki prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Sakaki to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sakaki 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 well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sakaki is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 9b.

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.

Sakaki can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Sakaki 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.

Sakaki is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Sakaki can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds.

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

Sakaki 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.

Sakaki grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Sakaki is native to warm areas of Japan, Taiwan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and northern India.