tree

Totara

The Story

Plant Bio

Podocarpus totara, the totara, is a massive evergreen conifer native to New Zealand that develops a broad, spreading canopy and a thick, deeply furrowed trunk with corky, stringy bark. In garden cultivation, it grows as a dense, conical tree reaching twenty-five to thirty feet tall with stiff, needle-like, brownish-green foliage.

This species is highly valued for its durable, rot-resistant timber in its native range and its architectural, textured bark that peels in long, fibrous strips. It is dioecious, meaning separate male and female plants are required to produce the small, yellow, catkin-like pollen cones and the subsequent bright red, fleshy seed receptacles.

Uses & Benefits:

Features a highly textured, deeply furrowed corky bark and a dense, architectural growth habit that provides year-round structure.

Functions as an excellent windbreak, privacy screen, or formal hedge when pruned regularly from a young age.

Provides dense evergreen cover and nesting habitat for birds, while the fleshy red receptacles offer a food source.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

360"

Width

315"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate to High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

New Zealand

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with fertile, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the soil is loosened to encourage root penetration.
Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle the roots, and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to retain moisture.
Provide regular irrigation during the first two growing seasons until the root system is fully established.

Pro Tip

Never prune back into old, leafless brown wood, as the bare branches lack dormant buds and will fail to sprout new growth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Do plant in a well-drained location to prevent root rot.
Do protect young plants from deer and rabbit browsing with physical fencing.
Do apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring if growth appears sluggish.

Don't

Don't allow the soil to become waterlogged or suffer from stagnant saturation.
Don't prune deep into bare, brown wood that lacks active green foliage.
Don't plant in areas exposed to severe, direct coastal salt spray without protection.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen TreeWindbreakHedgePrivacy Screen

Companion Plants

Carex comans Phormium tenax

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Totara questions

What zones can Totara grow in?

Totara is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Totara deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Totara, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Totara bloom?

Totara typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Totara need full sun?

Totara does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Totara drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Totara handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.