How to Grow Cupressus - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Cupressus is a plant in the conifer family. Commonly known as cypress, these plants are characterized by their dense, often conical growth habit. Cupressus plants are evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves year-round. Many species of cupressus are used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks.

How to Grow Cupressus - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

Cypress
Juniper
Thuja
Arborvitae
Leyland cypress

Common Knowledge

Cupressus is a genus of 15-20 species of evergreen trees and shrubs.
The leaves are scale-like, arranged in opposite decussate pairs, and often strongly scented.
The cones are globose, with 3-6 scales.
The seeds are winged and dispersed by wind.
Cupressus is native to North and Central America, Europe, and North Africa.
The wood is red or brown and highly scented.
Cupressus is used in the production of essential oils, lumber, and paper.
The foliage is often used in floral arrangements.
Cupressus is susceptible to several fungal diseases.
Cupressus is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world.

Related plant:
Cupressus Arizonica

Growing Steps

For cupressus, first step is to take 10-12 inch cutting from the plant.
Remove the leaves from the cutting except the top two or three.
Next, make a slanting cut at the bottom of the cutting.
Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant it in a pot filled with well-drained soil.
Water the cutting well and place it in a warm place.
The cutting will start to root within three to four weeks.
Once the roots develop, transplant the cutting to a larger pot.
Keep the plant in a sunny location and water it regularly.
Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season.
Cupressus will take several years to grow into a full-sized tree.

Related plant:
Cupressus Macrocarpa

Soil Condition

About soil condition, cupressus can adapt to different soil conditions. It is not very demanding on the soil and can even grow in poorer soils. It prefers well-drained soils, but can also tolerate some degree of waterlogging.

About light

Not too different with other members of the Cupressus genus, thedeiameter of cupressus never exceeds 0.5 in (1.3 cm). The leaves of this tree are opposite, each having 10-20 needles. The tree prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is drought tolerant once it becomes established. It can grow in a wide range of soils, including those that are alkaline.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions that Cupressus prefer are quite cool, and they can even tolerate cold winters. They do best, however, in locations that provide them with full sunlight. They are also surprisingly drought tolerant and can manage with very little water, although they will grow faster and look healthier if they are given a moderate amount of water on a regular basis.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 40-50%. Water the plant when the top soil (1-2 inches) feels dry to touch. Allow the water to seep through the drainage holes and never let the plant sit in water.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this plant prefers a cupressus-specific fertilizer that is applied in early spring and again in mid-summer. A cupressus-specific fertilizer contains a higher percentage of nitrogen and potassium and a lower percentage of phosphorus than an all-purpose fertilizer. This is because phosphorus encourages cupressus to produce more leaves and stems at the expense of root growth.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your cupressus plant healthy and looking its best. Pruning helps to control the growth of the plant, and can also remove any damaged or dead leaves or branches. When pruning, be sure to remove any damaged or diseased leaves or branches first. Then, trim back any overgrown or leggy branches. Finally, cut back any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

About Propagating

Propagation of cupressus is normally done by seed. Seedlings are best started in a well-drained, sandy soil in full sun. The soil should be kept moist, but not wet, until the seedlings are well-established. Once established, cupressus is quite drought tolerant. Cupressus can also be propagated by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be taken from new growth and should be about 6-8 inches long. They should be placed in a well-drained, sandy soil and kept moist until they are rooted.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been done on young trees in nurseries. In one study, the average growth rate of cupressus was about 30 centimeters per year. However, the growth rate varied greatly among different trees, with some trees growing much faster and some much slower. It is unclear why there is such variation in growth rates among cupressus trees.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are fungal root diseases, such as Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia. These diseases can cause the plant to wilt, turn yellow, and drop needles. The best way to prevent these diseases is to plant the cupressus in well-draining soil and to water it deeply and regularly.

Basics of Growing

Do not forget to water your cupressus plant regularly. They are known to be quite drought tolerant, but they still need regular watering, especially when they are first transplanted.
fertilize your cupressus plant every few weeks during the growing season.
Prune your cupressus plant regularly to encourage new growth and to keep it from becoming too leggy.
Place your cupressus plant in an area that receives full sun for best results.
When transplanting, be sure to dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
To avoid transplant shock, it is best to plant cupressus during the cool weather of spring or fall.
When planting in containers, make sure the container is at least twice as wide as the root ball.
Be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
If you live