The Story
Plant Bio
Callitris glaucophylla, commonly known as the white cypress-pine, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the dry inland woodlands of mainland Australia. It develops a single, straight trunk with deeply furrowed rough bark and a broad columnar to pyramidal canopy of horizontal branches.
This species is distinguished by its scale-like leaves arranged in whorls of three, which display a distinct bluish-grey glaucous colouration. It produces small, brown male cones at the branchlet tips and woody, six-scaled female cones measuring up to 25 millimetres in diameter.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
787 inches
Width
394 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Long-lived
Native To
Australia
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Bloom period
Winter – Spring
In flower about 4 months of the year
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun with excellent drainage, avoiding any areas prone to waterlogging or pooling.
- Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the plant sits at the same level as it did in the pot.
- Backfill with native soil, firming down gently to remove air pockets, and water in thoroughly to settle the roots.
- Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the base to suppress weeds, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk to prevent rot.
Pro Tip
Never prune back into old, leafless brown wood; Callitris lacks epicormic buds on mature timber and branches cut this way will die.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Ensure the soil drains rapidly, as the root system has zero tolerance for waterlogging.
- Protect young trees from severe grazing until they establish a strong woody trunk.
- Perform light formative pruning on young trees only if a specific shape is required.
Don't
- Do not prune hard into bare, old wood, as it fails to shoot from dormant buds.
- Do not plant in low-lying clay sumps or poorly drained garden beds.
- Do not overwater once established, as this species is highly drought-tolerant.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
White Cypress-pine questions
What zones can White Cypress-pine grow in?
White Cypress-pine is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
When does White Cypress-pine bloom?
White Cypress-pine typically blooms in winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does White Cypress-pine need full sun?
White Cypress-pine does best in full sun (6+ hours).
Is White Cypress-pine drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), White Cypress-pine handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow White Cypress-pine with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.