Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens
Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Coast of northern California and SW Oregon (fog belt). It grows 30–60 m (98–197 ft) tall and 8–15 m (26–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Coast redwood in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Coast redwood at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 m (98–197 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coast of northern California and SW Oregon (fog belt) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Coast redwood 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 Coast redwood
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Coast redwood in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (10 plants)
Questions about Coast redwood
- How far apart should I plant Coast redwood?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–15 m (26–49 ft).
- Does Coast redwood need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Coast redwood need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Coast redwood?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- Is Coast redwood 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 Coast redwood?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Coast redwood. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the national parks (Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Redwood), US National Park Service
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- The tallest trees on Earth (Hyperion, 116 m); needs summer fog or irrigation. Thick, tannin-rich bark resists fire; sprouts in "fairy rings" round old stumps.
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
- Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
- Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
- Northern white cedar (arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis
- Common juniper Juniperus communis