Smelly Clove Bush Plant Care

Smelly Clove Bush (Plocama putorioides) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Plocama genus. Smelly Clove Bush is native to the central and eastern Hajhir Mountains on island of Socotra in Yemen. Smelly Clove Bush is also known as Plocama.

Smelly Clove Bush displays a compact, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Smelly Clove Bush produces small, tubular white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Smelly Clove Bush every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Smelly Clove Bush thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Smelly Clove Bush in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Plocama putorioides tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Smelly Clove Bush prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Smelly Clove Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Smelly Clove Bush every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 bright indirect light and well-draining, acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Smelly Clove Bush is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

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

Smelly Clove Bush can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Smelly Clove Bush 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 shrub in one year.

Smelly Clove Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Smelly Clove Bush can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pendulous plocama plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Smelly Clove Bush is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. 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.

Smelly Clove Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Smelly Clove Bush is native to the central and eastern Hajhir Mountains on island of Socotra in Yemen. In cooler regions, grow Smelly Clove Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.