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Cryptomeria japonica

Also Known As

Japanese Cedar
Japanese Cryptomeria
Japanese Red Cedar

Plant type

conifer

size

H: 60'
W: 20'

planting zones

5a-8b

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Cryptomeria japonica plant details

Cryptomeria japonica is a fast-growing evergreen conifer with blue and green foliage. Grows well with sun and even moisture water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cryptomeria japonica

Plant type: conifer
Plant family: cupressaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 20 FT wide, 60 FT tall
Uses: distinctive bark, easy-to-grow, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cryptomeria japonica

USDA Zones: 5a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Tall, fast-growing tree with reddish-brown bark peeling in vertical strips; bright green summer foliage is bronzy in winter. S/M

By: Forestfarm

We always refer to Japanese Red Cedars as Japan's equivilant to our native Redwood species. Japanese Red Cedars grow very quickly and form very thick trunks on older trees that look very similar to California Redwoods. They are very easy to grow and require almost no maintenance but need space to grow when planted in the ground. The branches are layered into shelves with drooping tips that give young trees a very unique look, especially given their unusual foliage.

Japanese Red Cedar are extremely popular for bonsai and are very easy to work with because they have a large number of dormant buds on their branches that make selective pruning easier. They also produce a thick trunk quickly and their short needles yield fast results.

There are hundreds of varieties of Japanese Red Cedar including some very interesting forms such, as Elegans which grows in large plumes and Golden Promise which features butter-yellow foliage and grows to only a foot or two tall.

Caring for Cryptomeria japonica

Very little pruning or shaping is required, but you can lightly prune plants each year to encourage a specific shape. Fertilize in the spring with a slow release pellet, we like to use Osmocote Plus 20-10-10. You can double the growth rate by providing well drained soil and a slow release fertilizer compared to plants in poor soil with no fertilizer. Avoid over watering Cryptomeria; although they can handle moist conditions they do best when the soil is allowed to dry out a little bit between watering.

By: Red Panda Nursery

A pyramidal or conical tree, the stout trunk supports wide spreading branches. Grows to 60' tall by 20' wide. The bark is reddish-brown and peels off in long strips. Give a rich, deep, light, acid soil with abundant moisture and good drainage. Shelter from high winds but choose a location with some sun.