Also known as Cypress · 117 gardener saves
Cupressus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cupressus, the genus most gardeners know as cypress. We track 8 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 8 most-saved Cupressus varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWeeping Blue Nootka Cypress
Cupressus nootkatensis 'Glauca Pendula'
#2 most savedWeeping Nootka Cypress
Cupressus nootkatensis 'Pendula'
#3 most savedArizona Cypress
Cupressus arizonica
Blue Ice Arizona Cypress
Cupressus arizonica 'Blue Ice'
Green Arrow Nootka Cypress
Cupressus nootkatensis 'Green Arrow'
Arizona Cypress Carolina Sapphire
Cupressus arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'
Italian Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens
Italian Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca'
How to grow Cupressus
What the Cupressus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cupressus year
- PruneJanuary and February75% of varieties
Prune only to remove dead or damaged limbs in late winter.
- Check for PestsMay–July75% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites during dry spells and for bagworms.
- MulchMarch, April and October63% of varieties
Apply 3 inches of mulch to retain moisture, keeping it away from the trunk.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October63% of varieties
Plant container stock or balled-and-burlapped in early spring or fall.
Do
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal growth 🌞
- Water deeply during dry periods 💧
- Prune lightly to shape and remove dead branches ✂️
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature 🌱
Avoid
- Don’t overwater; cypress prefer well-drained soil ❌
- Avoid heavy pruning in late summer ❌
- Don’t plant in shady areas; needs full sun ❌
- Do not plant in heavy clay or poorly drained soils.
What goes wrong with Cupressus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bagworms | Small, cocoon-like bags made of foliage hanging from branches. | Hand-pick and destroy bags in fall/winter. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are young. |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted growth | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Cypress Aphid | Yellowing or brown patches on foliage, often starting from the inside. | Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Systemic insecticides can be used for severe infestations. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Root Rot | Overall decline, yellowing foliage, and a weak root system. | Prevention is key. Ensure excellent drainage. Fungicides are generally ineffective once established. |
| Cypress canker | Lesions on stems and branches | Remove affected parts and improve air circulation |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Cupressus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in a mixture of sand and peat moss.
- Maintain humidity and mist daily.
- Roots develop in 6–8 weeks.
Grafting
- Collect scion wood from a healthy 'Green Arrow' in late winter.
- Graft onto a compatible rootstock, such as seedling C. nootkatensis.
- Use a side-veneer or whip-and-tongue graft.
- Keep in a humid greenhouse until the union heals.
Cupressus questions
How many types of Cupressus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Cupressus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 117 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cupressus grow in?
Across its varieties, Cupressus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cupressus bloom?
Most Cupressus varieties bloom in mid-spring, late winter/early spring, winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cupressus 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
Design with Cupressus 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.
