A mature Cleyera (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Accent · Barrier · Border · Foundation · Hedge · Mass planting · Specimen · Coastal

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Cleyera

Ternstroemia gymnanthera · Perennial

Cleyera is a slow-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 7-9, that matures to about 5–6 ft × 5–6 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect white blooms in spring and summer. It stands up well to salt and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 7-9
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 5–6 ft × 5–6 ft
Growth rate: Slow
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Moist
Bloom color: White
Bloom season: Spring, Summer
Tough against: Salt
Native to: Japan, Korea, China

Will it survive your winters?

We score Cleyera’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9