Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a conifer that can grow higher than 15m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica).
This plant has several common names including: Japanese cedar, sugi or Japanese red cedar.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Japanese cedar, sugi, Japanese red cedar
Scientific name: Cryptomeria japonica
Plant type: Conifers, Trees
Habit: Bushy
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural, Informal Garden
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) – Motokoka, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Cryptomeria to consider:
See all Cryptomeria
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Cryptomeria japonica likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) – MurielBendel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
