33 named cultivars

tree

Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Same species

33 named cultivars

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

750 inches

Width

210 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan and Taiwan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Chamaecyparis obtusa, Hinoki cypress, is a large evergreen conifer native to Japan and Taiwan, reaching fifty to seventy-five feet with a broad pyramidal crown. Short scale-like leaves are held in flattened fan-shaped sprays, marked underneath with distinctive whitish X-shaped bands, and small orange-brown cones about half an inch across ripen in autumn. The sprays curl and layer in a way that gives mature trees a sculptural, almost architectural texture — it is one of the most valued timber trees in Japan and a staple of formal garden design. Nearly everything sold in garden centres is a dwarf cultivar a few feet tall, which behaves nothing like the species; check the label before siting one.

Uses & Benefits:

Sculptural layered evergreen sprays with year-round texture, from dwarf mounds to forest trees.

Long-lived, low-maintenance and available in a size for almost any space.

Provides dense evergreen cover and nesting shelter for songbirds.

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade with shelter from drying wind.
Check the mature size of your selection before siting.
Water through the first two seasons.
Avoid pruning into old wood, which does not resprout.
Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.

Pro Tip

Never cut back into bare old wood — Hinoki cypress does not resprout from it, and the gap you make is permanent.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Check mature size; forms range 2-75 ft 📏
Plant in moist, well-drained acidic soil 🌱
Shelter it from drying wind 🌲
Prune only into green growth ✂️

Don't

Cut back into bare old wood ❌
Plant in dry or alkaline soil ❌
Assume a garden-centre plant stays small ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large evergreen specimen or screenDwarf forms for rock gardens and containersFormal and Japanese-style planting

Companion Plants

Japanese Maple Azalea Hosta Japanese Forest Grass Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hinoki Cypress questions

What zones can Hinoki Cypress grow in?

Hinoki Cypress is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Hinoki Cypress deer resistant?

Yes — Hinoki Cypress is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Hinoki Cypress bloom?

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

Does Hinoki Cypress need full sun?

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