Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Southeastern United States swamps and river floodplains. It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
Plan Bald cypress in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bald cypress at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southeastern United States swamps and river floodplains |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Bald cypress toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity is reported for people; pet toxicity is not well documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bald cypress
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Bald cypress in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (1 plants)
Questions about Bald cypress
- How far apart should I plant Bald cypress?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Bald cypress need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bald cypress need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Bald cypress?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Bald cypress flower?
- From about March for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bald cypress poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity is reported for people; pet toxicity is not well documented.
- What grows well with Bald cypress?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bald cypress. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Deciduous conifer; grows well in both wet and, once established, average soil; "knees" appear only in wet sites.
- Yellows in highly alkaline soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Creeping juniper Juniperus horizontalis
- Leyland cypress x Cuprocyparis leylandii
- Hinoki cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa
- Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides
- Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
- Northern white cedar (arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis
- Common juniper Juniperus communis
- Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens