Chilean Incense Cedar Plant Care

Chilean Incense Cedar (Austrocedrus chilensis) belongs to the Cupressaceae family within the Austrocedrus genus. Chilean Incense Cedar is native to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the adjacent drier steppe-forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina from 33°S to 44°S latitude. Chilean Incense Cedar is also known as Patagonian Cypress.

Chilean Incense Cedar displays a pyramidal, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Chilean Incense Cedar produces small inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chilean Incense Cedar every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chilean Incense Cedar thrives in full sun.

Austrocedrus chilensis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Chilean Incense Cedar prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Chilean Incense Cedar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chilean Incense Cedar is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chilean Incense Cedar can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Chilean Incense Cedar while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Chilean Incense Cedar is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes — evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Chilean Incense Cedar can be propagated through seeds, cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Chilean Incense Cedar is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chilean Incense Cedar grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Chilean Incense Cedar is native to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the adjacent drier steppe-forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina from 33°S to 44°S latitude.