The short answer
The number of Clusia plants you need per foot depends on the gallon size you're buying. Smaller plants go in closer together. Larger plants are spaced wider because they already have the width to fill the gap.
Here's the reference we use when quoting jobs across Florida:
Clusia spacing by gallon size
3-gallon Clusia: space 1 to 1.5 feet on centre. For a 50-foot run you'll need approximately 33–50 plants. For 100 feet, 67–100 plants.
7-gallon Clusia: space 1.5 to 2 feet on centre. A 50-foot run needs roughly 25–33 plants. A 100-foot run needs 50–67 plants.
15-gallon Clusia: space 2 to 2.5 feet on centre. A 50-foot run needs approximately 20–25 plants. A 100-foot run needs 40–50 plants.
25-gallon Clusia: space 3 to 3.5 feet on centre. A 50-foot run needs roughly 14–17 plants. A 100-foot run needs 29–33 plants.
45-gallon Clusia: space 3.5 to 4 feet on centre. A 50-foot run needs approximately 12–14 plants.
Why tight spacing matters more than people think
The most common mistake we see on DIY Clusia installs is spacing that's too wide. It feels counterintuitive — bigger plants look like they'd need more room — but if the plants don't nearly touch when they go in, you end up with a row of separate shrubs that never quite closes into a single hedge.
We install plants on centres where adjacent specimens nearly touch from day one. The hedge fills laterally fast that way, and you get privacy from the first week rather than watching gaps slowly close over 12–18 months.
Does this change for Clusia rosea vs guttifera?
Clusia guttifera (small-leaf / Princess Clusia) is what we install on the vast majority of residential hedges, and the spacing above applies to it. Clusia rosea has a wider, more open growth habit and needs slightly more room — closer to the wider end of each range.
For most hedge projects, guttifera is the right choice. If you're not sure which one suits your yard, message us on WhatsApp and we'll advise based on your photos.
How we calculate your plant count
When you send us your hedge length on WhatsApp, we calculate the plant count for you based on the gallon size and the look you want on install day. You don't need to work it out yourself — just tell us the linear footage and we'll include the plant count and total cost in your quote.