
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
This fast-growing upright, dense evergreen has attractive glossy leaves. The new spring growth is light green that darkens during the summer months. Its upright growth pattern makes it a great plant to fill the space between windows or to create a hedge for either screening an undesirable view or privacy.
This plant will grow in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10 in full sun to partial shade conditions. Make sure to plant it in a space where it can reach its full height of 15 to 20 feet. It has a mature width of only 5 to 6 feet making it a good choice for small spaces where height is desirable. The botanical name for bigfoot cleyera is Ternstroemia gymnanthera 'Sotall'. The leaves turn an attractive shade of bronze-red in the fall. You can grow this plant in a container in colder climates and bring it indoors as a houseplant during the winter months, but it will need to be top pruned to keep its height in check.
Bigfoot Cleyera Care
This plant is heat-loving and drought tolerant. It is resistant to most plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other pathogens. Fertilize with a slow-release formula in the spring if desired. Bigfoot cleyera prefers well-draining soil.
Pruning Bigfoot Cleyera should be done in spring. When cutting, be sure to cut all the way back to the center of the plant if you wish to limit the size of the plant. If you are trimming to help encourage new branches, pinch the growth tips and it should help encourage bushiness. Growing this plant as a hedge will provide year-round color and winter screening. These plants don’t need pruning but will hold up well if you do prune to shape them. The lower branches can be removed if you want this shrub to look more tree-like in appearance.
Bigfoot Cleyera Spacing
Plant Bigfoot Cleyera 5 feet apart on center to create a solid hedge or 7 feet or more apart if you want to be able to walk between them for access or pruning.
Bigfoot Cleyera Plant Facts
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10 |
Flower Color(s): n/a |
Bloom Period: Grown for Foliage |
Foliage Color(s): Glossy Green |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun |
Height: 15-20 Feet |
Spread: 5-6 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Watering: Medium |
Features: Disease/Pest Resistance, Heat Tolerant, |
Scientific Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera 'Sotall' PP13680 |
Common Name: Bigfoot Cleyera |
Brand: Southern Living Plants |
- SKU:
- CLEYBF
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!