Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani · Pinaceae
📷 Olivier BEZES · CC BY 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cedar of lebanon and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Cedar of Lebanon
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen (needles)
- Adult size
- 15 m tall × 10-12 m wide
- Growth rate
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy (-15 to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Mountains of Lebanon and Western Asia
- Form
- Spreading conifer with characteristic horizontal branches
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cedar of Lebanon fears waterlogging: well-draining soil is non-negotiable, even in temperate climates. Planting on a raised bed or slope speeds up root establishment.
The common mistake
Planting it in a depression or compacted soil 'that you'll improve later': it'll rot at the collar before you've improved anything.
The pro's trick
Support young plants with a flexible stake (not rigid) for the first two years: cedar struggles to build a stable trunk on its own when facing winds.
Care
Light and exposure
The Cedar of Lebanon requires full sun exposure to develop properly and maintain its elegant shape. Plant it in an open location, away from root competition with other large trees. A south or southwest-facing position is ideal in temperate regions.
Soil and preparation
This conifer prefers well-drained soil, even poor or chalky soil, and dreads waterlogging. Amend the planting pit with sand or gravel if your soil is heavy or clayey. Good permeability is essential for its longevity.
Watering and humidity
Once established, the Cedar of Lebanon is undemanding. For the first two years, water regularly during dry spells to encourage deep rooting. After that, natural water supply is generally sufficient in a temperate climate.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Only remove dead wood or diseased branches in late winter. The Cedar of Lebanon forms naturally in tiers and benefits from retaining its characteristic silhouette.
Nutrition and fertilizer
An application of well-decomposed compost at the base during planting is usually sufficient. Later fertilizer applications are not essential on properly prepared soil; this tree thrives in poor soils.
Diseases and pests
The Cedar of Lebanon is generally robust. Watch for possible canker or needle rust in climates that are too humid. Improved drainage and air circulation prevent most problems.
Did you know?
The Cedar of Lebanon has featured on the Lebanese national flag since 1943 and symbolizes strength and eternity in many Mediterranean cultures. Once very abundant on the mountains of Lebanon, this majestic tree was massively exploited in biblical times for the construction of temples and Phoenician ships, which nearly brought it to extinction.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Aleppo PinePinus halepensis
- Stone PinePinus pinea
- Silver firAbies alba
- European larchLarix decidua
- Austrian black pinePinus nigra
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.