Short-leaved cedar Plant Care
Cedrus libani var. brevifolia Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cedrus libani var. brevifolia, the Cyprus cedar, is a conifer in the genus Cedrus.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
0–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Short-leaved cedar?
Plant Short-leaved cedar in full sun and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F (-18–32°C).
Where Is the Short-leaved cedar Native To?
What Is the Short-leaved cedar?
Short-leaved cedar (Cedrus libani var. brevifolia) belongs to the Pinaceae family within the Cedrus genus. Short-leaved cedar is native to the Troödos Mountains of central Cyprus. Short-leaved cedar is also known as Cyprus cedar, Cedar of Lebanon.
Short-leaved cedar displays a tall, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Short-leaved cedar produces small, inconspicuous cones.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Short-leaved cedar?
Water a young or newly planted Short-leaved 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Short-leaved cedar Need?
Short-leaved cedar thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Short-leaved cedar Prefer?
Cedrus libani var. brevifolia tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Short-leaved cedar prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
0–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Short-leaved cedar?
Well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Short-leaved cedar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Short-leaved cedar?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Short-leaved cedar?
Short-leaved cedar can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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.
How Do You Prune a Short-leaved cedar?
Short-leaved cedar needs little pruning. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter or early spring.
Don't cut back into old, bare wood: conifers in the pine family rarely sprout new growth from it. To keep a denser shape, trim only the soft new shoots in late spring.
How Do You Care for a Short-leaved cedar in Winter?
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.
How Do You Propagate a Short-leaved cedar?
Short-leaved cedar can be propagated through seeds, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to deodar cedar plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Short-leaved cedar Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Short-leaved cedar, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Short-leaved cedar?
Short-leaved cedar is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Short-leaved cedar is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cedrus genus — compare its care with other Cedrus species on PlantoScan.
Cedrus is part of the Pinaceae plant family — browse all Pinaceae genera and species.
Short-leaved cedar thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cedrus libani var. brevifolia Hook.f., family Pinaceae (first published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 17: 518 1880) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Short-leaved cedar, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Short-leaved cedar Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species