Sawara cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera
Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Honshu and Kyushu, Japan. It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Sawara cypress in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sawara cypress at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Honshu and Kyushu, Japan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Sawara cypress toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the resinous foliage can irritate sensitive skin.
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 Sawara cypress
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Sawara cypress
- How far apart should I plant Sawara cypress?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Sawara cypress need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sawara cypress need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sawara cypress?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- Is Sawara 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. Not poisonous; the resinous foliage can irritate sensitive skin.
- What grows well with Sawara cypress?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sawara cypress. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Usually grown as dwarf or thread-leaf cultivars (‘Filifera Aurea’, ‘Boulevard’) a fraction of the wild tree’s size; pea-sized cones give the name pisifera.
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