Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa · Cupressaceae
📷 Σ64 · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around hinoki cypress and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Hinoki cypress
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Foliage type
- Evergreen
- Form
- Compact conifer with columnar or spreading habit depending on variety
- Adult height
- Up to 4 m (varies depending on variety)
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -20 °C
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Origin
- Japan
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Chamaecyparis obtusa needs cool, well-drained soil—avoid chronically dry conditions. Full sun to partial shade.
The common mistake
Placing it in dry rockery soil or too-hot, dry exposure: the foliage greys and dies back slowly.
The pro's trick
Mulch generously (10 cm) in May: it keeps soil moisture up through summer and cuts water stress.
Care
Exposure
The hinoki cypress prefers full sun or light dappled shade. Too much shade will weaken its form and reduce foliage density. Protect it from strong, dry winds that can desiccate the foliage, especially in winter.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, without waterlogging. Water generously at planting and for the first two years. Once established, reduce watering but monitor during prolonged drought or hot summers.
Soil
The hinoki cypress appreciates well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. A substrate rich in organic matter and well-structured promotes growth. Avoid chalky, compacted, or very wet soils which promote decline.
Pruning
Little pruning is needed if the initial form suits you. You can slightly adjust the shape after the growing period in late spring. Avoid severe cuts into dead wood, as this conifer doesn't regrow well if cut back too hard.
Fertilizer
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Work compost or organic mulch into the surface to gradually enrich the soil. Conifers are not heavy feeders; excess nitrogen can promote soft growth.
Diseases and pests
Relatively robust, the hinoki cypress can suffer from root rot if soil is too wet or drainage is poor. Watch for scale insects or spider mites in very dry conditions. Good air circulation and measured watering prevent most problems.
Did you know?
The hinoki cypress has been revered in Japan for centuries: its highly fragrant wood, called 'hinoki' (檜), is traditionally used to build temples, Shinto shrines, and craft bathtubs. Its scented essential oil is valued in aromatherapy, and its elegant form makes it a classic choice for Zen gardens and bonsai cultivation.
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
- Giant sequoiaSequoiadendron giganteum
- JuniperJuniperus communis
- Northern WhitecedarThuja occidentalis
- Bald cypressTaxodium distichum
- Lawson cypressChamaecyparis lawsoniana
- Coast redwoodSequoia sempervirens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.