Japanese Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica
Also listed as Cryptomeria fortunei, Cryptomeria araucarioides
Also known as Japanese Cedar, Japanese Red-cedar, Sugi
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, columnar evergreen conifer native to Japan with soft, feathery foliage that ranges from green to bronze-red depending on season and cultivar. Highly valued as an ornamental timber tree and specimen plant in temperate gardens.
Why grow it
Japanese cryptomeria grows taller and more columnar than most other temperate conifers, making it useful where vertical emphasis or screening is needed in zones 5-9. Unlike many ornamental conifers, it tolerates both acidic and neutral soils reasonably well, though it prefers consistent moisture. The seasonal color shift from green to bronze-red in many cultivars offers visual interest without requiring multiple species.
Watch out for
This species performs best in areas with adequate atmospheric humidity and consistent soil moisture during establishment. In very hot, dry climates or exposed inland locations, foliage browning and dieback can occur even in otherwise suitable hardiness zones. Young trees may take several years to develop their characteristic form, and overly compact cultivars can be slow-growing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native Range
Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Elegans' is a popular cultivar with softer, finer foliage that turns bronze-purple in winter; 'Compacta' offers a dwarf, dense form suitable for smaller gardens.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall, columnar evergreen conifer native to Japan with soft, feathery foliage that ranges from green to bronze-red depending on season and cultivar. Highly valued as an ornamental timber tree and specimen plant in temperate gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Japanese Cryptomeria grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Japanese cryptomeria grows taller and more columnar than most other temperate conifers, making it useful where vertical emphasis or screening is needed in zones 5-9. Unlike many ornamental conifers, it tolerates both acidic and neutral soils reasonably well, though it prefers consistent moisture. The seasonal color shift from green to bronze-red in many cultivars offers visual interest without requiring multiple species.
Watch out for
This species performs best in areas with adequate atmospheric humidity and consistent soil moisture during establishment. In very hot, dry climates or exposed inland locations, foliage browning and dieback can occur even in otherwise suitable hardiness zones. Young trees may take several years to develop their characteristic form, and overly compact cultivars can be slow-growing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native Range
Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Elegans' is a popular cultivar with softer, finer foliage that turns bronze-purple in winter; 'Compacta' offers a dwarf, dense form suitable for smaller gardens.