tree

Japanese Cedar

$19.99

The Story

Plant Bio

Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese cedar, is a large evergreen conifer native to central and southern Japan and China, reaching fifty to seventy feet with a narrow conical crown. Awl-shaped needles spiral around the shoots in soft feathery sprays, and reddish-brown bark peels in long fibrous strips. Small round cones about an inch across ripen in autumn.

The foliage bronzes noticeably in cold weather, which surprises people expecting a uniformly green conifer — it greens up again in spring and is not a sign of trouble. It is the national tree of Japan and grown as a timber species there; the many dwarf cultivars in garden centres behave nothing like the seventy-foot species.

Uses & Benefits:

Soft feathery evergreen sprays and peeling red-brown bark, in sizes from dwarf mound to forest tree.

Fast-growing evergreen screen that tolerates humidity and heat better than many conifers.

Dense evergreen cover gives nesting and shelter for songbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

720 inches

Width

300 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central and southern Japan and China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Plants By Mail

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$19.99

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$27.95

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$44.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

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.
Mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
Prune only to remove dead wood.

Pro Tip

Expect winter bronzing — the foliage turns rusty in cold and greens again in spring, and many people replace healthy trees thinking they have died.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Check mature size; forms range 3-70 ft 📏
Shelter from drying wind 🌲
Keep soil moist and slightly acidic 🌱
Accept winter bronzing as normal 🍂

Don't

Plant in dry or exposed sites ❌
Assume a garden-centre plant stays small ❌
Panic at winter colour change ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large evergreen screen or specimenDwarf forms for rock gardens and containersWindbreak in sheltered positions

Companion Plants

Japanese Maple Azalea HostaHakone Grass Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Cedar questions

What zones can Japanese Cedar grow in?

Japanese Cedar is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Japanese Cedar deer resistant?

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

When does Japanese Cedar bloom?

Japanese Cedar 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 Japanese Cedar need full sun?

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