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This handsome European cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a native in southern Europe and western Asia. His columnar form reaches to the sky in his native land to 40-60' feet. His stately elegant and narrow appearance makes it a beloved garden punctuation point in classical Italian gardens during the Renaissance. When crushed, the dark grayish-green foliage has an aromatic fragrance, making it an excellent holiday accent indoors or outside in zones 7-10. He grows to 15 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide at maturity outdoors.
European Cypress Indoor Care & Buying Guide
Indoors: Place in bright, direct light in a southern facing window. Turn your cypress every week a half turn to get light on each side. Outdoors: Place in full sun (6-8 hours) of sun daily.
Keep consistently moist during the spring and summer. Let the soil dry a bit more in the winter months but still stay consistently lightly moist. If the needles turn yellow and drop, check the soil's moisture and humidity levels.
Indoors: Keep your cypress on a pebble tray or near other plants to keep the humidity near 50%.
Daytime temps should be between 60°F-77°F and nighttime temperatures can fluctuate between 50 and 60°F.
This evergreen cypress can handle hardy temps down to 0℉.
Apply a balanced fertilizer at half-strength in the spring and fall during the growing season.
Indoors: When receiving the European Cypress, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes. Repot this little guy in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a planter could cause the soil to dry slower.) Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow it to drain. Fill in around your container and the bottom with equal parts of sterilized potting soil, coconut coir, and sand or perlite, with one tablespoon of bone meal to encourage root growth. Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let it sit overnight. Add well-draining interior potting soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen. Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim them off with sterile pruners. Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over. Do not water again until the soil is registering three or four on the plant meter. If soil settling occurs after watering, add more periodically but do not cover the trunk above the surface. Outdoors: Dig a hole twice the width of the grower pot and slightly shorter in depth of the grower pot. Add root hormone and mix in compost if your soil is unhealthy or clay (half compost-half native soil). This plant prefers acidic soil at a pH range between 5.5 and 6.0. (Use our 3 in 1 plant meter to measure!) Water the bare roots in the hole, then fill with the mixed soil. Tamp around the tree to release all air pockets. Water again. Keep watch and measure your soil moisture every couple of days to ensure the roots are moist but not soggy. Plant the tree in full (6-8 hours) to part sun (4-6).
Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased limbs, but this little guy is low maintenance and usually won't need any pruning.
Remove hardwood cuttings during the growing season between July and September. To propagate, cut a long branch off the bottom of the tree near the roots at a 45° angle to create a larger cut surface for rooting. Then, cut this branch into 6 inch long sections. Strip the needles off the cutting about 2-3 inches and dip the southern end of the stems in rooting hormone. Plant in moist, well-draining potting mix and clean, coarse sand with the lower half of the stem fulling covered. Keep the soil moisture consistently moist but never soggy. Cover the stems with a clear plastic bag loosely to create humidity around the plant. Keep in a morning sun location to get the roots established. Please protect it from hot sunlight mid-day, cold winds, or freezing temperatures that disrupt the rooting growth. Let the roots mature and new growth established before transplanting into the ground or another pot. Rooting may take several months to establish.
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European Cypress Christmas Tree: Overview
The European Cypress Tree (Cupressus sempervirens), also known as the Italian or Mediterranean Cypress, is a popular potted Christmas tree with a classic conical shape and lush, feathery green foliage. It belongs to the Cupressaceae family and is known for its stately beauty and versatility as both an indoor and outdoor plant. This tree thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10, growing up to 3-5 feet indoors and even taller when planted outdoors.
The European Cypress is a low-maintenance plant that symbolizes peace and eternal life, making it a meaningful holiday decoration. While not pet-friendly due to its mild toxicity, it’s perfect for homes without pets unless placed safely out of reach.
For more festive choices, consider other mini Christmas tree options like the charming Lemon Cypress Tree, which brings a burst of bright green and a citrusy scent to your holiday decor.
European Cypress: Benefits
- Helps improve indoor air quality by filtering pollutants
- As festive decor, it makes a stunning centerpiece for seasonal celebrations
- It requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for busy households
- As a long-lasting live potted Christmas tree, it makes a sustainable alternative to fresh-cut trees, offering joy year after year
- You can plant it outdoors after the holidays for continued enjoyment
European Cypress: Care Guide
The European Cypress is a relatively easy-to-care-for plant, making it a favorite for both novice and seasoned indoor gardeners. Its compact size and adaptable nature make it perfect for indoor holiday decor or as a long-term addition to your greenery collection.
Watering and Humidity
Water your European Cypress regularly, ensuring the soil stays moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings. While the plant tolerates average indoor humidity, occasional misting during drier months can prevent the foliage from drying out.
Light and Temperature
Place your European Cypress in bright, indirect light for optimal growth, though it can tolerate some partial shade. Ideal temperatures range from 60-77°F. Avoid placing it near drafts, heaters, or air conditioners, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.
Soil and Repotting
Plant your European Cypress in well-draining soil, such as a mix designed for evergreens or a potting soil blend with added sand or perlite. Repot every 2-3 years during the spring, upgrading to a slightly larger pot to accommodate growth and refresh the soil.
Feeding, Pruning, and Propagation
Feed the plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during its active growing season (spring to early fall). Prune sparingly to maintain its tidy, conical shape, removing dead or yellowing branches as needed. Propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring or early summer and placing them in a moist, well-draining soil mix to encourage rooting.
Common Issues and Solutions
Browning foliage is a frequent issue, often caused by overwatering, underwatering, or insufficient light. Adjust care routines accordingly to resolve these problems. If the plant becomes too dry or dusty, mist the foliage and gently wipe it clean to maintain health and appearance.
European Cypress Christmas Tree: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
The European Cypress Christmas Tree adds a festive charm to any space, whether it’s your home or office. Pair it with fresh holiday greenery like a Holiday Wreath, Fresh Cedar Garland, Cedar Centerpiece, or Candle Ring to create a truly magical seasonal display. Explore our full collection of holiday plants for more decor ideas.
Best Locations & Uses
- Perfect for festive decoration during the holiday season, adding a vibrant, evergreen touch
- It makes a stunning centerpiece plant for the living room at Christmas
- An ideal compact potted Christmas tree for small spaces or apartments
- Can be placed outdoors after the holidays, thriving in colder climates
- Best suited for homes without pets, as it’s not pet-friendly
Companion Plants
Pair your European Cypress tree with these holiday-perfect plants to create a festive and vibrant indoor display:
- Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera): The Mistletoe Cactus is a unique cascading plant that complements the upright elegance of your Mediterranean Cypress while adding a modern, natural holiday vibe.
- Red Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima): The Christmas Flower is a classic holiday favorite with bold red leaves, perfect for enhancing seasonal decor alongside your Christmas tree.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): The Peace Lily is a versatile, low-maintenance plant with graceful white blooms that balance the rich green tones of your Cypress.
Alternative Plants
If you’re looking for other festive options, consider these stunning alternatives at Lively Root.
- Norfolk Island Pine Christmas Tree (Araucaria heterophylla): The Norfolk Island Pine is a soft-needled potted tree that adds an elegant touch to holiday decor and transitions beautifully as a year-round houseplant.
- Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree (Cuprocyparis leylandii): The Leyland Cypress is a compact, fragrant Christmas tree, ideal for both indoor festivities and outdoor planting after the season.
- Rosemary Spiral Christmas Tree (Rosmarinus officinalis): The Rosemary Spiral Christmas Tree is a charming, aromatic topiary, which can be decorated with holiday lights and doubles as a culinary herb.
Order Your Italian Cypress Christmas Tree for Sale From Lively Root
Bring home the timeless charm of an Italian Cypress Tree! Order yours today from Lively Root and make your holidays unforgettable!