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The lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is an excellent choice for an indoor plant. This small conifer usually grows to 3 feet, making them ideal for indoor gardening. With the recognition of their green-yellow needle-like foliage, the tree has many adorers. Their conical growth patterns, and fresh citrus smell keep them at the top of our must-have list.
Looking for another decor option? Check out our Wreaths or Swags!
Lemon Cypress Care & Buying Guide
Indoors: Bright direct light for 6-8 hours. Outdoors: full sun in Zones 7-10.
Water when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.
Spritz regularly and keep on top of a pebble tray filled with water.
Keep temperatures in the low 60's inside the house in the winter months to prevent browning leaves.
Outdoors in full sun (6-8 hrs.), where nights are above 5°F.
Indoors: in bright sunlight on a southern exposure all day. Keep indoor temperatures below 60°F and humid in the winter months.
Interior: Apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer especially formulated for indoor plants every month during the growing season. Exterior: Add a 20-20-20 granular slow release fertilizer to the top surface. When they are watered, the nutrients will release into the soil. Fertilize throughout the growing season and refrain in the winter.
When receiving the Lemon Mini Cypress tree, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months. Repot in the spring, using a 2" bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a planter could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.)
Hydrate the plant before repotting.
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow to drain.
Use a well-draining potting mix to repot when the plant becomes root-bound.
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 roots. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim 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.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.
Water well to dampen the soil and let drain.
Prune or shape up your Lemon Mini Cypress with sharp, sterilized pruners in the growing season. Trim off unwanted growth or to add bushiness to your tree with branching. Be aware that where you trim, the edges will turn brown. This browning is expected but will quickly cover-up by new growth that emerges. Clean up any debris on the soil surface and replenish soil when needed.
Take cuttings from healthy young stems and cut about 6 inches down the stem. Cut right below the leaf node and strip away the leaves on two sets of nodes. Dip the tip of the stem into a rooting hormone and set them into a damp propagation mix. Water to keep the mixture moist but not soggy. Keep the cuttings in bright, sunny light out of breezes. The warmer the weather, the faster the roots will grow. After eight weeks, a stable root system should be developing. Transplant these cuttings into an organic well-draining potting mix. Add a slow-release fertilizer and continue to let them grow. Once a healthy root system is created, transplant out into the landscape or into a planter.
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Lemon Cypress Christmas Tree: Overview
The Lemon Cypress Christmas Tree (Cupressus macrocarpa) is an adorable evergreen conifer with lime green, flexible, needle-like foliage that gives off a delicate citrus scent. The Lemon Cypress is native to California and belongs to the Cupressaceae family. Also known as Goldcrest Cypress, it is a cultivar of the Monterey Cypress. This beautiful mini cypress is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7-10 and can withstand temperatures up to 5°F.
Many people wonder how big lemon cypress trees get. While a large tree in the wild, an indoor Lemon Cypress tree usually grows to only about 3 ft. tall, making a charming mini Christmas tree. While not a Lemon Cypress bonsai, clipped and pruned to resemble a tiny tree, this conifer mirrors the shape of a full-sized Christmas tree, growing into a bushy, conical shape. This gorgeous evergreen plant is easy to care for and thrives in full sun. The Lemon Cypress tree symbolizes immortality, renewal, hope, and longevity, giving it a meaningful and thoughtful message when given as a gift.
As lovely as it is Lemon Cypress is toxic to cats and dogs, so it’s best to keep it out of their reach or choose a pet-friendly alternative. If you want a small tree this holiday season, explore our mini Christmas tree options, including the graceful and pet-safe Rosemary Spiral Christmas Tree.
Lemon Cypress Tree: Benefits
- Wonderful air-purifying plant that absorbs toxins from the air
- Perfect for festive décor during the holidays
- Easy to care for and beginner-friendly
- Foliage with delicate lemony fragrance
- Unlike a fresh-cut Christmas tree, it’s a lasting live potted Christmas tree that will bring joy for many holiday seasons
Lemon Cypress: Care Guide
Growing a Goldcrest Lemon Cypress is easy, both indoors and outdoors. Follow our Lemon Cypress care tips to keep your plant in perfect shape:
Watering and Humidity
Water your Lemon Cypress when the top few inches of the soil are dry. Ensure you don’t overwater this plant and provide a pot with drainage holes, as it can be susceptible to root rot when left sitting in water. This cypress tree prefers higher humidity indoors. Mist it regularly, or place the pot on a pebble tray to trap moisture and increase air humidity.
Light and Temperature
If you grow your Lemon Cypress tree as an indoor plant, it should receive 6-8 hours of bright, direct sunlight daily. A Lemon Cypress tree grown outdoors will thrive in full sun. The best indoor temperatures for your Cypress are 60℉ - 62℉. This tree can tolerate low temperatures, up to 5°F when grown outdoors.
Soil and Repotting
One of the Lemon Cypress tree benefits is that it’s not fussy regarding the type of soil it grows in. The most important factor is that the potting mix should drain well. Repot your Lemon Cypress once every two years or when it gets rootbound. Choose a slightly larger pot with drainage holes, and water the plant well before repotting. In climates where the night temperatures don’t fall below 5°F, you can plant your Cypress tree in the garden.
Feeding and Propagation
Feed your Lemon Cypress topiary with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season. The easiest Lemon Cypress propagation method is from healthy cuttings. Take several 6-inch cuttings with leaf nodes, remove the lower foliage, and plant in moist, well-draining soil.
Pruning and Common Issues
Lemon Cypress trees don’t require too much pruning when grown indoors. Trim off dry or dead branches, and prune lightly to retain the desired shape.
Branch tips can turn brown after pruning, but will soon be covered by new growth. If your plant’s foliage starts getting brown and dry, consider lowering the indoor temperature and increasing humidity. Check for pests like aphids or mealybugs regularly, and use an organic insecticide if needed.
Lemon Cypress Christmas Tree: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
A dwarf Lemon Cypress tree makes a spectacular holiday plant for your home or office; combine it with other fresh Christmas greenery, like our Holiday Wreath, Fresh Cedar Garland, Cedar Centerpiece, or Candle Ring for a complete festive look.
Best Locations & Uses
- Beautiful and small potted Christmas tree for festive decoration
- Perfect centerpiece plant for your living room
- Ideal for outdoor placement after the holiday season in warmer climates
- Ideal for people without pets
- Great holiday gift plant with long-lasting value
Companion Plants
Consider these beautiful holiday plants to decorate your space this holiday season:
- Pink Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): The magnificent Pink Christmas Cactus is a tropical succulent plant with salmon pink blooms and flat, segmented leaves that store water, making it a perfect low-maintenance plant.
- Red Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima): A beloved traditional Christmas plant, the Red Poinsettia stands out in any setting with its bright red, joyful flowers that resemble a star.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): A popular indoor flower, the delicately scented Peace Lily is an easy-care plant, known for its excellent air-filtering properties.
Alternative Plants
Other beautiful small Christmas trees to consider for your holidays include:
- Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla): A popular alternative to a traditional Christmas tree, the Norfolk Island Pine Christmas Tree is charming and easy to care for; its feathery branches give off a festive pine scent.
- Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree (Cuprocyparis leylandii): The beautiful Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree is pet-friendly and low-maintenance, and its rich green foliage makes a gorgeous backdrop for festive décor.
- European Cypress Christmas Tree (Cupressus sempervirens): Native to the Mediterranean region, the fabulous European Cypress Christmas Tree has dark green foliage and an elegant, column-like shape.
Order Your Lemon Cypress Christmas Tree From Lively Root
Enhance your holiday décor with a lovely Lemon Cypress Christmas tree from Lively Root!