Siberian Carpet Cypress Plant Care

Siberian Carpet Cypress (Microbiota decussata) belongs to the Cupressaceae family within the Microbiota genus. Siberian Carpet Cypress is native to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorskiy Krai in the Russian Far East. Siberian Carpet Cypress is also known as Russian Arborvitae, Deciduous Cypress.

Siberian Carpet Cypress displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Siberian Carpet Cypress produces inconspicuous, small cones.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Siberian Carpet Cypress every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Siberian Carpet Cypress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Microbiota decussata tolerates temperatures of 0–85°F. Siberian Carpet Cypress prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, acidic soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Siberian Carpet Cypress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Siberian Carpet Cypress every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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

Siberian Carpet Cypress can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Siberian Carpet Cypress 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 shrub in one year.

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 shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Siberian Carpet Cypress can be propagated through seeds, cuttings.

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

Siberian Carpet Cypress 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.