Also known as Plum Yew · 29 gardener saves
Cephalotaxus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cephalotaxus, the genus most gardeners know as plum yew. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Cephalotaxus varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDuke Gardens Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Duke Gardens'
#2 most savedUpright Japanese Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata'
#3 most savedSpreading Japanese Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata'
Yewtopia Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Plania'
How to grow Cephalotaxus
What the Cephalotaxus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cephalotaxus year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Prune for shape in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, if needed.
- MulchOctober50% of varieties
Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base.
Do
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Prune to maintain shape after new growth
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Plant in a location protected from harsh winter winds and hot afternoon sun.
- Provide consistent moisture during the first few years of establishment.
Avoid
- Don’t overwater in winter ❌
- Avoid heavy pruning in late fall
- Don’t plant in poorly drained soil
- Do not plant in poorly drained or constantly wet soil.
What goes wrong with Cephalotaxus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Insects | Small bumps on stems, sometimes with sticky honeydew. Generally rare on this plant. | Apply horticultural oil during the dormant season. Manually remove small infestations. |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing foliage | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale | Small bumps on stems, sometimes with sticky honeydew. Pests are rare on this plant. | Scrape off by hand for light infestations. Apply horticultural oil in the dormant season for heavier ones. |
| Root Rot | Yellowing foliage, lack of vigor, and eventual death. | Caused by waterlogged soil. There is no cure; prevention through proper site selection is essential. |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Cephalotaxus
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings from upright stems in late summer.
- Remove the lower needles and dip the base in rooting hormone.
- Insert into a mix of peat and perlite.
- Keep in a humid environment; rooting is slow and can take 3-4 months.
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-drained soil.
- Keep soil humid for 6 weeks.
Cephalotaxus questions
How many types of Cephalotaxus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Cephalotaxus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 29 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cephalotaxus grow in?
Across its varieties, Cephalotaxus covers USDA Zones 6–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cephalotaxus bloom?
Most Cephalotaxus varieties bloom in early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cephalotaxus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cephalotaxus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cephalotaxus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
