Cupressus Care

The Cupressus (cypress) is an evergreen, columnar conifer that's a perfect fit for a Mediterranean garden, as a hedge, or as a specimen in a pot. Fairly winter hardy, low maintenance, and fresh from the grower.

Cupressus care

Looking for a sleek, Mediterranean look in your garden? Then the Cupressus (cypress) is right up your alley. This slender, columnar conifer is evergreen, full of character and incredibly versatile, whether you place it alone in a pot or plant it in a row as a hedge.

The Cupressus is commonly known as the Italian cypress, named after its distinctive, narrow column shape you'll spot in Mediterranean gardens everywhere. At Green Bubble you get it fresh from the grower, in several heights.

On this page you'll find everything about caring for your Cupressus, from location to winter hardiness, so it stays beautiful for years to come.

Cupressus Care verzorging - Green Bubble

Cupressus care tips at a glance

Location

Light: The Cupressus prefers a sunny to lightly shaded spot. The more sun, the more compact and full the plant grows
Wind: Choose a sheltered spot, out of the wind, whenever possible. Young plants especially are sensitive to harsh, cold gusts

Water and soil

Watering: Keep the soil lightly moist during the first years after planting, so the roots can establish well. Once well rooted, the Cupressus is fairly drought-tolerant
Soil: Make sure the soil drains well. If water keeps sitting on the root ball, root rot becomes a real risk. Try mixing garden soil with vulcastrat for extra drainage
In a pot: A potted Cupressus dries out faster than one in open ground, so check a bit more often in summer whether the soil still feels moist

Feeding

Growing season: Feed a general garden plant fertiliser or a specific conifer feed once a month from March to September, so the plant gets enough nutrients for a lush, dense needle cover
Dormant period: In autumn and winter you give no fertiliser at all, as the plant is dormant then

Winter hardiness and protection

Winter hardy: The Cupressus is fairly winter hardy and tolerates temperatures down to about -12°C
Protection: During prolonged hard frost, the best protection is garden fleece or a tree cover, especially for young plants or plants in a pot
Pot: Wrap the pot in bubble wrap so the root ball doesn't freeze through completely

Pruning

Shaping: Using the Cupressus as a hedge? Then you can shape-prune it in spring to keep the growth compact and dense
Careful: Never prune too deep into old, bare wood. Unlike a yew, for example, the Cupressus often won't regrow neatly there

	Guarantee	Fresh from the grower
	Delivery type	Outdoor plant delivered in nursery pot
	Latin name	Cupressus sempervirens
	Location	Sun to partial shade, sheltered from wind
	Water needs	± 1x per week
	Toxic	Mildly toxic if ingested
	Winter hardiness	Hardy down to -12°C
	Maintenance	Low
	Growth habit	Slender and columnar, suitable as a hedge or specimen plant

Other sizes of Cupressus

Browse all outdoor plants

Cupressus - 110cm kopen bij Green Bubble

Cupressus Sempervirens Totem

120 cm

21 cm

49 95

In stock, delivery time 1–5 working days

Cupressus pyramid

160 cm

30 cm

119 95

In stock, delivery time 1–5 working days

5x Cupressus Leylandii

160 cm

30 cm

399 95

In stock, delivery time 1–5 working days

10x Cupressus Leylandii

160 cm

30 cm

749 95

In stock, delivery time 1–5 working days

“The name cypress comes from the Greek 'kyparissos' and has stood for centuries as a symbol of eternal life, thanks to its evergreen nature. No wonder you'll spot the Cupressus in just about every Mediterranean garden and on many an Italian estate.”

Frequently asked questions about the Cupressus

Quick answers to the most common questions about winter hardiness, pruning and caring for the Cupressus.

Is the Cupressus winter hardy?

Yes, the Cupressus is fairly winter hardy and tolerates temperatures down to about -12°C. Young plants and potted specimens are more sensitive to frost than mature plants in open ground. During prolonged hard frost, the best protection is garden fleece or a tree cover, and wrapping the pot in bubble wrap so the root ball doesn't freeze through completely.

How do I prune my Cupressus as a hedge?

Using several Cupressus plants as a hedge? Then you can shape-prune them in spring to keep the growth compact and dense. Never prune too deep into old, bare wood: unlike a yew, for example, the Cupressus often won't regrow neatly there. It's better to trim a little regularly than a lot once a year.

What location does the Cupressus need?

The Cupressus prefers a sunny to lightly shaded spot. The more sun, the more compact and full the plant grows. Choose a sheltered spot, out of the wind, whenever possible. Young plants especially are sensitive to harsh, cold gusts, which can scorch or discolour the needles.

Why is my Cupressus turning brown?

Browning in a Cupressus usually has one of these causes: soil that's too dry, waterlogging from poor drainage, frost damage, pruning too deep into old wood, or scorching from intense sun or strong wind. Check the soil first: does it feel bone dry or soaking wet? Adjust your watering or drainage accordingly. If the browning continues, also consider fungal diseases such as root rot.

How fast does a Cupressus grow?

A Cupressus grows on average about 20 to 30 centimetres a year and can eventually reach several metres in height. The exact height depends on the location, care and whether you prune it regularly. Want to slow the growth a bit and keep the shape compact? Shape-pruning in spring helps with that.

Is the Cupressus toxic to pets or children?

The Cupressus is mildly toxic if ingested. Make sure small children and curious pets don't nibble on the needles or twigs. Has your pet or child ingested part of the plant and are you seeing symptoms? Contact a (veterinary) doctor.

Can I keep a Cupressus in a pot?

Absolutely, the Cupressus does well in a pot on a patio or balcony, as long as the pot has enough drainage holes and you use a well-draining soil. Keep in mind that a potted plant dries out faster than one in open ground, and that the root ball is more vulnerable to frost in winter. Wrap the pot in bubble wrap during hard frost.

Everything about caring for the Cupressus (Italian cypress)

The Cupressus, also known as cypress or Italian cypress, is an evergreen conifer with a strikingly slender, columnar growth habit (Cupressus sempervirens). Originally from the Mediterranean region, and it shows: it's a perfect fit for a Mediterranean garden, along a driveway, or as a stately hedge.

Best location for the Cupressus

The Cupressus isn't fussy, but does best in a sunny to lightly shaded spot. The more sun the plant gets, the more compact and full it grows. In a shadier spot, growth tends to stay a bit more open.

Choose a sheltered spot, out of the wind, whenever possible. Young plants and potted specimens especially are sensitive to harsh, cold gusts, which can scorch or discolour the needles.

Watering the Cupressus

In the first years after planting, water the Cupressus regularly so the roots can establish well. Keep the soil lightly moist, but avoid letting the roots sit in water: that's a direct invitation for root rot.

Once well rooted, the Cupressus is fairly drought-tolerant and needs less attention. If your plant is in a pot, the root ball dries out faster than in open ground, so check a bit more often during warm, dry spells whether it needs topping up.

Is the Cupressus winter hardy?

Winter hardiness varies by Cupressus species, but the most commonly sold garden variety, the Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), is fairly winter hardy and tolerates temperatures down to about -12°C. Young plants and potted specimens are more sensitive to frost than mature plants in open ground.

During prolonged hard frost, the best protection is garden fleece or a tree cover. Is your Cupressus in a pot? Then wrap the pot itself in bubble wrap too, so the root ball doesn't freeze through completely.

Feeding the Cupressus

Feed a general garden plant fertiliser or a specific conifer feed once a month from March to September. This gives the plant enough nutrients for a lush, dense needle cover. In autumn and winter you stop feeding altogether, as the plant doesn't need it during this dormant period.

Pruning the Cupressus for a neat hedge

Using the Cupressus as a hedge? Then you can shape-prune it in spring to keep the growth compact and dense. Grown alone, as a specimen plant, it often needs little to no pruning thanks to its naturally columnar shape.

Careful: never prune too deep into old, bare wood. Unlike a yew, for example, the Cupressus often won't regrow neatly there, leaving bare patches behind.

Propagating the Cupressus

A Cupressus is usually propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings, taken in late summer. Place the cuttings in an airy, moist soil mix and keep them warm and sheltered until they root. This takes patience: rooting can take several months.

Common problems with the Cupressus

Overall the Cupressus is a strong, low-maintenance conifer, but problems can occasionally arise.

Browning: usually the result of drought, waterlogging from poor drainage, frost damage, pruning too deep into old wood, or scorching from intense sun or strong wind. Check the soil first and adjust your watering or drainage accordingly

Cypress bark beetle and fungal diseases: with persistent, unexplained browning or dying branches, an infestation by the cypress bark beetle or a fungal disease such as coryneum canker could be the cause. Remove affected branches promptly and clear away pruning debris to prevent it from spreading

Growth stop: often points to a spot that's too wet, a nutrient shortage, or, for potted plants, a pot that's too small and is restricting root growth

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