With its bright green foliage that releases a lovely lemon scent when touched, the lemon cypress makes a delightful indoor houseplant This small evergreen tree is valued for its conical shape, citrusy fragrance, and soft textured foliage
Though lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’) can grow up to 16 feet tall outside, the dwarf cultivar ‘Wilma Goldcrest’ reaches just 3 feet making it perfect for containers indoors. With the right care the lemon cypress can thrive as a houseplant for many years.
Providing the Light lemon Cypress Needs Indoors
Light is one of the most important factors for successfully growing lemon cypress indoors. This sun-loving plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
When growing lemon cypress as a houseplant, select a bright south or west facing window where it will get sufficient light. East facing windows can also work if the exposure is bright enough. Slow growth and brown needle drop are signs the plant needs more light.
Turn the pot regularly each week to ensure even light exposure on all sides. Rotating prevents the plant from growing lopsided as it reaches towards the light. Supplement with a grow light if natural light is inadequate.
Maintaining Ideal Indoor Temperatures
Lemon cypress prefers cool room temperatures between 55-65°F. Avoid placing the plant near heat sources which can dry it out.
In winter, keep the plant in the coolest room of the house. A temperature drop at night into the low 50s F is beneficial. In summer, elevated temperatures are fine, but provide ample humidity.
If temperatures exceed 80°F, set the container on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost humidity around the plant. Proper humidity prevents foliage browning.
Watering Correctly
Lemon cypress requires a thorough watering about once a week. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. The plant prefers slightly dry conditions between waterings rather than sitting in moisture.
Use room temperature water, not cold water straight from the tap which can shock the roots. Always empty any water that collects in the saucer to prevent the roots from sitting in soggy soil.
Drooping branches or brown needle tips indicate under watering. Overwatering leads to yellowing leaves and potential root rot. Adjust frequency based on your growing conditions.
Providing the Right Soil Mix
Use a well-draining potting mix for container lemon cypress. A quality potting soil containing compost offers nutrients. Or amend regular potting soil with perlite, vermiculite, or sand to improve drainage.
Avoid dense soil, which retains too much moisture around the roots. Re-pot in fresh soil every 2-3 years to replenish nutrients. Repot into a slightly larger container if the roots have filled the current pot.
Fertilizing on a Regular Schedule
Feed indoor lemon cypress every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season from spring through summer. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Slow down fertilizing over winter, applying monthly or every 6 weeks. Fertilize minimally in very low light. Excess fertilizer can burn the roots if light levels are not high enough for active growth.
Providing Humidity and Air Circulation
Lemon cypress appreciates average household humidity levels around 40-50%. Keeping the plant near a humidifier can help prevent dry air issues.
Misting the foliage or setting the pot on a pebble water tray also boosts moisture. Good air circulation from a fan prevents foliage diseases.
Pruning to Maintain Shape
Prune lemon cypress in early spring before new growth emerges. Remove any dead or damaged branches by cutting back to healthy wood.
Lightly trim wayward branches to maintain the naturally conical shape. Don’t over-prune, only trim back the current season’s growth by 1-2 inches if needed to keep compact.
Watching for Pests
Lemon cypress can fall victim to common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, and scale if conditions are not ideal. Keep populations in check by hosing off the foliage in the shower every few weeks.
Isolate any infested plants and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to remove pests. Catching infestations early prevents major issues. Proper care keeps pests away.
Enjoying the Fresh Scent
One of the best parts of growing lemon cypress indoors is being able to enjoy its refreshing fragrance up close. Brush your hand against the soft foliage or gently crush a few needle tips to release the lemon scent.
With the right care in optimal conditions, the lemon cypress makes a uniquely scented and textured houseplant that can provide years of enjoyment. Give it plenty of light and avoid overwatering for a thriving indoor specimen.
Conclusion
The dwarf lemon cypress, with its bright green needles and lemon sherbet scent, makes an excellent indoor plant with the right care. Providing ample sun, cooler temperatures, well-draining soil, and moderate water keeps it looking its best. Place in a bright location, fertilize regularly, and prune lightly to maintain the classic conical shape. With proper indoor growing conditions, the lemon cypress will reward you with a hint of citrus fragrance to brighten your home.
Light
The tree requires a good amount of light. Outdoors, a lemon cypress tree should be planted in full sun to partial shade. Indoors, the tree needs five to six hours of indirect sunlight or morning sun. The hot direct afternoon sun in a west-facing window can be detrimental to the vibrant foliage.
Water
As an outdoor shrub or tree, once established, the lemon cypress needs little supplemental watering. Allow the plant to establish itself by watering it once a week during the first season.
If you keep it inside, give it a deep watering once a week and make sure the soil doesn’t get too dry.
Lemon Cypress Indoor Care Guide! // Garden Answer
FAQ
Can Lemon Cypress survive indoors?
How to care for a cypress plant indoors?
Do Lemon Cypress like to be misted?
Why is Lemon Cypress turning brown?
How do you care for a lemon Cypress plant?
Keep your thermostat in the low 60’s (15-16 C.) during winter. Perhaps the most difficult part of lemon cypress houseplant care is ensuring sufficient light. Select a window that provides good sunlight and turn the container regularly to give each side a turn. The houseplant requires six to eight hours of direct sun.
Can you grow lemon cypress outside?
If you are growing lemon cypress in your backyard, you’ll need to learn about care for lemon cypress outdoors. They thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Lemon cypress trees cannot survive shade, so you’ll need to plant your outdoor tree in a sunny spot. Don’t neglect irrigation, especially immediately after planting.
How much sunlight does a lemon Cypress need?
1. Light Requirement If you are growing a lemon cypress plant indoors, you’ll want to place it by a window that receives direct sunlight. It is crucial that these plants get a full six to eight hours of direct sunlight every single day. If you plan on keeping the plant outside, you can keep it in a spot with little to no shade.
What is a lemon cypress tree?
You might recognize the lemon cypress as the potted evergreen that seems to show up in every big box retail store before Christmas. However, this narrow, columnar evergreen tree is more than a lemon-scented holiday plant for indoors. It is a versatile needled conifer that can be used as a hedge, specimen, bonsai, or kept in a container on a patio.
How do lemon cypress trees grow?
The lemon cypress is adapted to grow in poor, sandy, well-draining soils that are low in organics and not very fertile. This infertile soil allows the slow-growing tree to pace its development to match its height with its roots, helping to ensure that winds do not blow the thin and narrow plant over.
Do lemon cypress trees grow in shade?
They thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Lemon cypress trees cannot survive shade, so you’ll need to plant your outdoor tree in a sunny spot. Don’t neglect irrigation, especially immediately after planting. During the tree’s first growing season, you’ll need to water twice a week.