Italian cypress trees, which are also called Mediterranean cypress, are tall and thin. They are often planted to guard a country home or estate. But you can also ornament your garden with Italian cypress in containers. An Italian cypress in a pot won’t grow as tall as one planted in the ground, but they can be very easy to care for when they are in a pot. Read on for information about these elegant plants and tips on Italian cypress container care.
Cypress trees are elegant evergreen conifers that are often used in landscaping. With their narrow, columnar shape, cypress trees make striking accent plants and screens. While cypress trees reach towering heights when planted in the ground, you can also grow them in containers. Caring for a potted cypress tree has some unique requirements compared to cypress trees planted in the landscape. Follow this guide to learn how to properly care for your potted cypress tree.
Choosing a Container
When selecting a container for your cypress tree, bigger is better. Choose a container that is at least 2 feet wider and deeper than the current nursery pot. This will allow room for root growth. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Terra cotta, wood, plastic, and metal containers all work well for cypress trees. Just keep in mind that terra cotta and metal may dry out faster than plastic or wood.
The larger the container the more drainage holes it needs. Aim for at least 4-6 drainage holes for a medium sized container. More holes are better to ensure excess water can flow out. Elevate the container on pot feet or bricks to improve drainage.
Soil for Potted Cypress Trees
Use a high quality commercial potting mix for the best results with container grown cypress trees. Avoid regular garden soil, as it can become compacted The potting mix should contain perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.
When repotting your cypress tree, break up any root balls and loosen the roots before placing it in its new container. Fill in around the root ball with more potting mix, leaving about 2 inches of space at the top of the container.
Watering Potted Cypress Trees
Cypress trees are drought tolerant once established, but containers dry out faster than in-ground plantings. Check the soil moisture frequently, especially during hot and dry weather. Water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil become dry.
After watering, allow any excess water to drain out through the holes at the bottom of the container. Never allow cypress trees to sit in waterlogged soil, as this can cause root rot.
Installing a moisture meter in the pot is an easy way to monitor the soil moisture level between waterings. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. The tree may need watering every 2-3 days in hot weather.
Fertilizing Potted Cypress Trees
Feed container grown cypress trees in early spring and again in early summer. Use a complete balanced fertilizer that is relatively higher in nitrogen, such as a 10-5-5 or 12-6-6 formula. Slow release fertilizers will provide nutrients over an extended period of time.
Always follow label directions for correct dosage. Excess fertilizer can burn the roots of cypress trees. Rinse any fertilizer off the foliage after application to prevent leaf burn.
Pruning and Maintaining Shape
Minimal pruning is required for potted cypress trees. You can trim back the new green shoots in spring to encourage bushier growth if desired. Avoid pruning into the bare wood, as cypress trees do not regrow well from old wood.
To maintain the narrow columnar shape, identify any branches growing at wider angles and trim them back to where they meet the trunk. This is best done in late winter before the spring growth spurt.
Root Pruning Potted Cypress Trees
Because cypress tree roots grow rapidly in an enclosed container, regular root pruning is necessary. This helps contain the size of the tree and encourages a compact root system.
Root prune container cypress trees every 2-3 years in late winter. Remove the tree from the pot and use a sharp knife or pruners to cut off 1-2 inches from the root ball circumference. Cut any circling or tangled roots.
Repot in fresh potting mix, leaving a 2 inch gap between the root ball and container edge for new growth. Root pruning a potted cypress tree prevents the roots from becoming pot bound.
Overwintering Potted Cypress Trees
In colder climates, container grown cypress trees will need winter protection. Move the container to a sheltered location out of the wind. Wrap the container with insulation or bubble wrap to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
Place a burlap screen around the tree to protect the foliage from harsh winter winds. Avoid pruning cypress trees in fall so they enter winter with their full natural shape. Resume regular care when spring temperatures arrive.
Common Problems with Potted Cypress Trees
Yellowing foliage – This can indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Yellow leaves may also be due to nutrient deficiencies. Fertilize in spring if nitrogen levels are low.
Browning foliage – Browning tips are often caused by salt buildup from fertilizer or minerals in water. Flush the soil regularly to prevent salts accumulating. Keep fertilizer applications light.
Sparse foliage – If inner branches are becoming bare, the tree may not be getting enough sunlight. Move to a sunnier location. Sparse growth can also be caused by root bound containers. Root prune and repot.
Insects – Common cypress pests include aphids, bagworms, beetles, and scale. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays. Catch infestations early before they spread.
Diseases – Root rot due to overwatering is the most common disease. Improve drainage and allow soil to dry out between waterings. Fungal diseases like canker can also occur. Prune out any dead or diseased wood.
Tips for Healthy Potted Cypress Trees
-
Select a container at least 2 feet wider than the root ball with good drainage.
-
Use a quality commercial potting mix, not garden soil.
-
Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry.
-
Fertilize lightly in early spring and summer.
-
Prune back new growth in spring to promote fullness.
-
Root prune every 2-3 years to control size.
-
Protect from winter wind and freezing temperatures.
-
Monitor for pests like bagworms and scale.
-
Allow soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot.
With the right care, potted cypress trees can thrive for many years in containers. Their narrow shape makes them ideal accent plants for decks, patios, and other small spaces. Follow these tips to keep your potted cypress tree looking healthy and elegant.
Italian Cypress Container Care
If you want to plant an Italian cypress in a pot, pick a container several inches (7. 5-12. 5 cm. ) larger than the pot the young tree came in from the nursery. As the tree grows, you’ll need to keep making the pots bigger until the tree is the right height for your garden. After that, root prune every few years to maintain the size.
Use well-draining, high-quality potting soil and check the drain holes on a container before you repot. The larger the container, the more drain holes it needs. Potted Italian cypress won’t tolerate “wet feet,” so drainage is essential.
Any plant growing in a container needs more irrigation than the same plant grown in the ground. So, one important part of taking care of an Italian cypress container is making sure the soil isn’t dry and watering it when it is. An Italian cypress in a pot needs water when the soil is dry a few inches (7. 5 cm. ) down. As long as it doesn’t rain, you should check on it once a week. When you water it, make sure it’s really wet until the holes in the ground drain away.
Italian Cypress in Containers
In the landscape, Italian cypress (Cypressus sempervirens) grow into soaring columns of evergreen foliage. They can grow up to 18 meters tall and 3 to 6 feet (1.2 meters) wide. They make beautiful foundation plantings or windscreens.
The Italian cypress really does “shoot up” because its leaves can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) a year. And these trees are a long-term investment since they can live for 150 years.
You can still grow these thin evergreens in your garden if you like the look of soaring cypress soldiers but don’t have enough room. Growing Italian cypress in containers outside is quite easy in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10.
Lemon Cypress Indoor Care Guide! // Garden Answer
How do you care for a cypress tree?
Remove wrapping, lights, price tags, stickers and any other non-organic materials from the cypress tree and its container, and place the plant in a cool, light location, such as an enclosed patio or porch. Add water until it begins to drip from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
How do you care for Italian cypress?
That means that an important part of Italian cypress container care is checking for dry soil and watering when needed. An Italian cypress in a pot needs water when the soil is dry a few inches (7.5 cm.) down. You should check it every week if there is no rain and, when you water, water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage holes.
How do you care for a bald cypress tree?
It’s not difficult to provide your tree the best bald cypress care if you select an excellent planting location, starting with a spot in full sun. When you are planting a bald cypress tree, ensure that the soil has good drainage but also retains some moisture. Ideally, the soil should be acidic, moist and sandy. Irrigate regularly.
How do you grow a potted cypress tree?
Grow your potted cypress tree in well draining, sandy/loamy soil. To amend soil, use peat, up to a 50 percent mixture. Place the tree in an area that receives morning sun and light shade in the afternoon. Water your potted cypress tree deeply, and keep the soil moist. A good rule of thumb is to feel the soil.