Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Mountains of Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey. It grows 20–40 m (66–131 ft) tall and 10–25 m (33–82 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 15 m (49 ft) apart.
Plan Cedar of Lebanon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cedar of Lebanon at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 m (66–131 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Spacing | 15 m (49 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy |
Is Cedar of Lebanon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Cedar of Lebanon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Cedar of Lebanon
- How far apart should I plant Cedar of Lebanon?
- About 15 m (49 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–25 m (33–82 ft).
- Does Cedar of Lebanon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cedar of Lebanon need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cedar of Lebanon?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- Is Cedar of Lebanon poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Cedar of Lebanon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cedar of Lebanon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Broad, flat tiers of branches with age; a classic tree of English landscape parks. Needs a lot of room.
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
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis