Italian cypress Cupressus sempervirens
Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Eastern Mediterranean and Iran. It grows 10–25 m (33–82 ft) tall and 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Italian cypress in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Italian cypress at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 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 | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Mediterranean and Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Italian cypress 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 Italian cypress
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Italian cypress
- How far apart should I plant Italian cypress?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft).
- Does Italian cypress need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Italian cypress need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Italian cypress?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- Is Italian cypress 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 Italian cypress?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Italian cypress. 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).
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- The narrow pencil form (‘Stricta’) lines Tuscan roads and cemeteries. Resinous foliage burns readily: keep away from houses in fire country.
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