Creeping Juniper
Juniperus procumbens · Cupressaceae
📷 SEWilco · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around creeping juniper and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, blue-green scales
- Growth
- Slow
- Adult size
- 30 cm tall × 1.5 to 2 m spread
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Japan
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, undemanding
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Juniperus procumbens is just as drought-loving as its cousin, slightly less spreading. Same requirement: perfect drainage, very little regular watering.
The common mistake
Treating it like a normal plant in standard soil with regular watering—it'll inevitably decline.
The pro's trick
To force a more compact form, pinch back lightly with your fingers in May-June.
Care
Watering
Creeping juniper is very drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage rooting. After that, watering during prolonged dry periods is sufficient. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes root rot.
Exposure
Plant in full sun to achieve optimal blue coloring and balanced growth. Light afternoon shade in very hot regions can be beneficial. Avoid shaded areas, which would slow growth and dull the foliage.
Soil and Planting
This juniper adapts to most well-draining soils, even poor or chalky ones. Prepare a light substrate mixed with gravel or sand to ensure excellent drainage. Plant in autumn or spring in a well-ventilated location.
Pruning and Training
Lightly cut back stems that stray from your desired shape, preferably in late winter or spring. Creeping juniper has very slow growth and requires little pruning. Avoid severe cuts that could leave bare patches.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary in normal soil. In containers or very poor soil, a balanced diluted fertilizer in spring can support growth. Favor moderate applications to respect the plant's naturally slow growth.
Diseases and Pests
Creeping juniper is generally very robust. Excess moisture or poor drainage can occasionally cause rot. If visible rot appears, remove affected parts and improve soil drainage. Pests are rare on this resilient species.
Did you know?
Juniperus procumbens, cultivated for centuries in Japan, is one of the most popular bonsai species due to its very slow growth and natural ability to branch finely. Its tiny scale-like leaves and spreading form make it an ideal subject for creating spectacular silhouettes over decades of patient work.
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.