Tree · Cupressaceae family

Sawara cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera

Full sun to part shade in a garden 1.5–2 m × 1–1.5 m to −34 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade

in a garden after 10 years1.5–2 m
in the wild up to 21.5 m
spacing 3 m

PlantingMarch–April, September–October

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH

acidicneutralalkaline

average to moisthumus-richloamy

Watering

only in dry spellsless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C

no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

15–21.5 m× spread 3–6 m

Plant 3 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

PlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Cypress canker

Low riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Branches or tips turn yellow and brown. Sunken reddish cankers with resin ooze, the wood beneath is reddish-brown. The whole plant may gradually die.

The source says: the fungus only occasionally damages it.

How to protect

Prevention
- Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage.
- Disinfect tools; spores spread on tools, by water and wind, and on planting material.
- Choose less susceptible species.
By hand all year, in dry weatherCut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.

Cypress cankerdiseaseLow risk

What you will see

Branches or tips turn yellow and brown. Sunken reddish cankers with resin ooze, the wood beneath is reddish-brown. The whole plant may gradually die.

The source says: the fungus only occasionally damages it.

How to protect

Prevention
- Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage.
- Disinfect tools; spores spread on tools, by water and wind, and on planting material.
- Choose less susceptible species.
By hand all year, in dry weatherCut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.

Quick answers.

Does Sawara cypress tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does Sawara cypress need?

At maturity 3–6 m wide and 15–21.5 m tall; recommended spacing 3 m.

Cypress canker — what can you do?

Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage. Cut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.

Sources (12) Checked 24 October 2026