How to Grow and Care for Japanese cedar

Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a tree native to Japan. Japanese red cedar has a notable fragrant and aesthetically pleasing color. Commercially, japanese red cedar is used for wooden construction materials for interior design. It can also be grown as a bonsai.

A cultivar of Japanese red cedar, japanese red cedar 'Globosa Nana' is a dwarf specimen described as a "staple" of small gardens everywhere. The blue-green, slightly needly leaves turn yellow-green in summer and bronze or even reddish in winter. 'Globosa Nana' is an extremely slow grower compared to other cultivars, and will not add more than a few inches per year.

Japanese red cedar 'Spiralis' is a cultivar notable for its distinctive twisted needle-like leaves, which spiral along its branches, giving it a unique, sculptural appearance. This slow-growing conifer reaches a modest size, making it an attractive specimen for smaller gardens. Adaptable to a range of conditions, japanese red cedar 'Spiralis' thrives best in well-drained soil with adequate moisture, and full to partial sunlight fosters its lush, green coloration.

Japanese red cedar 'Elegans Compacta' is a dense, dwarf conifer characterized by soft, feathery foliage that shifts from bright green to bronze-purple in the cold months. This compact variety thrives in moist, well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. With a slow growth rate, it maintains a rounded, well-structured shape, ideal for small gardens or as a focal point in landscape designs.