Shrub · Cupressaceae family
creeping juniper
Juniperus horizontalis
In short a 10-second read
Creeping juniper (shrub) grows to 0.2–0.5 m tall and 1.5–3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 1.5–3 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: sandy, gravelly, loamy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (February–March).
Planting
container plant: March, October–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does creeping juniper tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does creeping juniper need?
At maturity 1.5–3 m wide and 0.2–0.5 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does creeping juniper survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (13)
- GBIF — Juniperus horizontalis
- Dučplant (SK) — Okrasné stromy do predzáhradky a malej záhrady
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Juniperus horizontalis
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow conifers
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
Similar plants
